So if you’re on a dial-up connection, you might want to go make a coffee before clicking to read the full entry because there are a ton of pictures, plus two videos. They’re all from Saturday. Our friends Dean and Joanne had a party to celebrate their 12th anniversary and it was a total blast. We arrived around 3:30 that afternoon and didn’t get home until after 11:30 that night. There was a full feast (I managed to polish off two cheeseburgers, two hot dogs, a ton of different salads, not to mention all the chips before supper and the piece of cake with coffee I had later that evening – yes, I AM a fan of eating).

George and several other people he plays with regularly played live music throughout the day and evening until about 11:15. Everyone enjoyed the music, especially the kids. Breanna had fun crawling around the backyard while Hayley ran around NON-STOP with one of her friends. When the grass started to get too damp for people who aren’t fully steady on their feet, I changed Breanna into her pajamas and stuck her in the Baby Bjorn. First I had her facing out so that she wouldn’t miss anything, and she seemed to really enjoy it. When I caught her rubbing her eyes with her fists, I turned her to face me and she fell asleep for over three hours.

Just like the last party they had two years ago, it was really a lot of fun. Keep reading for visual proof of that.

Waiting in the car while George went to pick up sunscreen for the girls. This is what happens when you have a camera phone and you’re bored in the car. You take pictures of yourself. (All the rest of the pictures were taken with my regular camera.)

Hayley immediately located an umbrella hat and of course she was happy to pose for a silly picture.

Meanwhile, Breanna had fallen asleep in the car on her way there and kept on sleeping in the shade for almost an hour.

So when she woke up, she was very confused for awhile.

The band started playing a bit (left to right: Dino on guitar, Lud on bass, Jules on drums, George on guitar and lead vocals).

Meanwhile, Hayley had a blast blowing bubbles with her friend.

OH MY GOD THE HAIR.

I put Breanna in the Baby Bjorn for awhile and attempted to take a picture of us myself. Note, I said “attempted”.

During one of the band’s breaks, Hayley played the drums for a bit. Jules said she has a natural sense of rhythm. I am torn between wanting to help her develop that ability and wanting to run screaming for the hills. (I’m mostly kidding. If she wants to play drums we will find a way. And we will buy ear plugs for the volume.)

She also took over the mic. Right here she was saying, “This is the best anniversary I’ve ever been to.”

I have never seen George sing at a gig without his guitar. Late in the evening he let someone else play his guitar and he just sang. It was awesome and he should do it again because I have NEVER seen him like that. He was jumping all over the stage, and going crazy, it was so much fun! Here he was in the process of really getting into “Satisfaction”.

His biggest fan approved.

The happy couple, celebrating 12 years together, possibly taken somewhat off-guard by my camera.

Hayley took this one of me with an almost-asleep Breanna in the Baby Bjorn.

The sweetest picture of Hayley that I’ve taken in ages.

It was so much fun. And if all those pictures weren’t enough for you, here are two videos.

George playing and singing “Walking the Dog”. Sadly I missed the first verse and the first round of the chorus but I got the rest. Note, it’s 3 minutes, 3 seconds long.

Hayley beating the drums into submission. Only 28 seconds.

Whew. With interruptions, leaving the house, doing some work, and all the other stuff, this took me all damn day. Enjoy!