Family Birthday Day!

Today was a day to celebrate birthdays! We started with a combined birthday party for Jackson and Erin at Nana and Papa Chatwin's. Erin, Karlee, Jackson, Bryn and I were late! We were running behind schedule anyway and then we had to stop at Walmart so I could get a battery charger for my camera. I also picked up a last minute gift for Erin and Jackson. Poor Erin was out in the car waiting for me with a screaming baby. Little Bryn has had more 'car seating' in the last 3 days than she wants to. So she's started protesting anytime she gets stuck in her car seat! Anyway, we arrived for the 11 a.m. party around noon! Russ mentioned afterward that his Mom was planning on having us eat around noon anyway, so it made us feel a little better. The get together was a lot of fun. So awesome to have all the little cousins together. They range in age from 5 months to 2 years 7 months and there are 6 little ones and Karlee who'll be 13 in June. From our family Erin, Russ, Karlee, Jackson and Bryn, Ashley and Justin, Briana, Ivan, Alex and Emmett and me. From Russ's family, Joni & Lynn, Rob, Rashahn and Rylie, Chris, Brandt and their little foster son. So it was quite a house full. Joni made yummy lasagna with garlic bread and salad and delicious chocolate mousse pie.
Erin made a super cute train cake for Jackson.

After lunch Erin and Jackson opened presents. Wow! What a haul! Jackson loved opening his presents.
Alex had a bit of a hard time watching his cousin open his presents without getting 'involved' in the fun! But I was really proud of him because he tried very hard to control himself. Finally Joni took him upstairs to the play room so he could have some toys to play with and he was a happy camper. Jackson currently enjoys trains and monster trucks and his Pops and Poppa both picked out winner presents as Jackson's two favorite presents were his Vintage Grave Digger from Pops and Thomas the Train from Poppa!
Emmett enjoyed getting to know 'Uncle Rob', or was he just totally intrigued by Rob's facial hair?

After cleaning up, some of us got a little nap, then headed to Erin's home to get ready for the 'other side of the family' get together. I made potato burritos for Erin and Ashley and a giant heart shaped sugar cookie for Grandma Larkin to celebrate her birthday.
She and Vicki came over as well as Bethany, Ashley and Justin and Briana, Ivan, Alex and Emmett. Everyone was somewhat tired, but Jackson was hilarious with his dancing antics.

I'm pretty sure he kept moving because he was afraid if he held still he'd fall asleep! Margaret was going to come over with some of her family, but I didn't see a message from her until after the night was over saying that she was having car problems. I texted her around 11 p.m. and apparently they were just finally getting home! Poor Margaret.


After Vicki, Grandma and the Pascual's left we played a game Erin received for her birthday called "The Game of Things"