The Birthday Parties and Thunderstorm

Yes, it does say "parties", meaning more than one.

Birthdays really are a big deal and are truly worth celebrating! First birthdays seem to especially be a BIG deal and I must say that we have had a blast celebrating Lawson's first birthday!

His first party was at school. They always make cute little birthday banners and allow the children to bring in birthday treats to celebrate. Lawson took bite-size cupcakes to school yesterday and celebrated with his classmates. However, Miss Sarah said he was far from interested in the cupcake, but his friends did enjoy it! Below is picture of Lawson with Miss Amber. So cute. : )

On to the big party...

We celebrated Lawson's birthday here on the Bragg Farm today, beginning at 11:30 am. It was a great day and we were so excited to have close family and friends here with us to celebrate! Farmer Lawson had a wonderful time at the party!

We had a total of 27 guests and we are thankful that they got to come. In attendance were our parents, also known as Daddy Bell, Nana, Granddad, and Grandmother... Aunt Julie Anne, Uncle Jim and Aunt Erin... Mama B and Daddy Denton... Granny... Aunt Sarah Beth, Uncle Keith, and Lindsey... Ben and Jennifer Moore with Miller, Tate and Tyler... Jon and Kim Lopez with Kayce and Clayton... Chris Crowley... Tim and Arden... and Ryan and Carrie Schneider... thanks so much for coming to celebrate with us!

Clayton, Lindsey with Tyler, Jennifer with Tate, me with Lawson, and Kayce

Tyler and Tate

The party began with lunch being served at 12:00 noon. We served beef brisket and pulled pork BBQ, along with potato chips, baked beans, potato salad, strawberries and canteloupe, with soft drinks. Due to the unpredictable weather, we ate in the garage and although I was slightly disappointed that we were not able to do it in the back yard, I am thankful that we didn't. Around 12:30, a little sprinkly shower blew over and we would have been wet! Anyway, the garage was great and it was also cool.

Cousin Lindsey, Lawson, and Aunt Julie Anne

The birthday cake... my favorite part! Following lunch it was time for cake and ice cream, prefaced with the famous singing of "Happy Birthday to you!". Lawson's little eyes were big and he looked quite puzzled, gazing around the room, as everyone sang to him and it was a bitter-sweet moment for me and Russ... so excited to celebrate the first year and sad that he is now a "big boy", passing out of the infant stage. Anyway, as with daycare, he was not interested in smashing his little "smash cake", so off it went to be served.

And I must mention the cake story... I found this cake on-line and once I found it, none other would do. However, then I had to find someone capable of making it look like the picture. Thanks to the recommendation from my friend, Jennifer, Mr. Jerry Joyner of Paris, Tennessee was able to fix us up. He is AMAZINGLY talented! Russ and I couldn't have been happier. Not only was it beautiful, it was also very tasty! Following cake and more fellowship was time to open gifts. Lawson received so many nice gifts and is in business with many new things to play with! Thanks to all for your generosity and love as we celebrated this special birthday!

With the beautiful weather, many enjoyed fishing out back as the "partying" came to a close. We had some true fishermen and women in the midst and they seemed to have lots of fun!!

Awesome catch by Clayton!

It was a wonderful day!

And as to the thunderstorm, later this afternoon, as we were continuing to clean up outside, a thunderstorm quickly popped up. It never rained here at our house, but the clouds, thunder, and lightning were quite impressive!