Meredith's Golden Year...

Meredith has been saying for years that she couldn't wait for her "golden year" birthday! I had no idea what that meant until she explained to me that it was the number of her age matched with the date of her birthday. So, since she was born on August 14, her golden year is this year when she will be turning 14!
We decided that her birthday would be really special this year to spend with her best friend, Jenna. Jenna has a July bday so we had a joint party for the two of them.

Such great friends...
Meredith's former teacher, Allison, from Egypt even came!
and these girls have known each other since Meredith was 2..sweet Wendi and Whitney....
The blow up slide was a big hit, making everyone extremely sore the following day..:)
Jenna made Meredith a poster of old pics, friend sayings and memories of their friendship...so thoughtful!
They HAD to have this cabana cake...yummy!
It was a great day to get the bday celebrating started..as always, we will be having another party on her "real" bday with family, especially since it is her GOLDEN YEAR! :)

Welcome Home Party

Some dear friends had a welcome home party for us this past weekend! It was so much fun getting together like old times. I was so busy chatting with everyone that I didn't get any pictures of the decorations or of all of the people that came! I did manage to copy a few pics of the evening from a friend who is a "picture taking crazy man!" :)

This was the staff at Calvary when we served there...minus Kelley...Great memories!

Madison got to share a special story about our life in Egypt. She did a great job!
They are all so big now! Wow!
Dancing fun...too sweet...