McHugh Invasion: September 2012

I can't believe my baby just turned 5 years old!!! It really doesn't seem like that long ago when I was holding my brand new little guy in the hospital. Time never seemed to go by this fast before we had kids!

Brogan had 4 birthday parties this year...did I mention he is spoiled rotten??? We just got back from a 3-week long trip to Missouri...one week in Nevada with the McHughs and two weeks with the Johnstons and Bergers in St. Louis.

We had a great visit in Nevada (and Casey got to hang out with us while we were there too!). We got to celebrate lots of birthdays...Robin (40!!! What a great party!), Sydnie, and Brogan. Neala got a little birthday love too since we probably won't see most of the McHughs again until Robin's wedding in June. It was a very relaxing week on the farm. We didn't see much of Brogan since he was running with his cousins all week...they had a blast!

Brogan was VERY excited to get his Alien Autopsy toy from Aunt Robin and Devin!!!

Casey had to leave us for shutdown at the plant after our stint in Nevada, and therefore didn't get to join in on any of the fun in St. Louis. I don't think I've ever been so busy in my life! I'm pretty sure we had an activity planned every day: Suson Park, St. Louis Zoo, Botanical Gardens, St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Game, Six Flags, Magic House, Busch Stadium Tour, Monkey Joe's, and the St. Louis Arch. Brogan got to see several movies...ParaNorman, Men in Black III, and Ice Age: Continental Drift. And of course, he had a birthday party!!! (I don't have a lot of pictures from our time in St. Louis as I couldn't figure out how to download pictures off of PePa's camera, but I do havea few from MeMa's camera to share...none of the birthday party though.)

Brogan and Neala in the Oval Office...at the Magic House

Enjoying the view from the top of the Arch

Going up!!!

Brogan and Neala watching TV in and on (respectively) a box

We came home just in time for the real deal. We got together with a few friends on Brogan's actual birthday at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm and Zoo. It was a beautiful day and some of the animals were very active. We had snacks and cupcakes at the park, and the kids had a blast playing. I got some great pictures of the kids!

Chilly morning!

Quick! Take a picture! They're loving on each other!

The bears were very active!

Neala trying so badly to touch the chickens

Cupcake time!

What a mess! But at least it wasn't on the dress! :)

We of course had a little family present opening followed by dinner at Montana's where they slapped some big moose antlers on Brogan and sang happy birthday. Brogan enjoyed it, but it freaked Neala out a bit.

Brogan and his latest craze...Ninja Turtles!

Brogan being saranaded in moose antlers

Brogan had his first "big kid" party at Wilson's on the 8th...a PIRATE party! There were a total of 9 kids...mostly from his preschool class last year. They got to bounce in the bouncy houses for an hour and a half and then had a pizza party with cake and slushies. While the kids ate, we dressed them up with pirate bandanas and eye patches. Afterwards, they got foam pirate swords...and that's when things got crazy!!! Casey managed a few group photos before full blown pirate war exploded on the driving range! I'm pretty sure they all had a good time. Brogan got lots of great presents and everyone got to take home a treasure chest full of loot...chocolate loonies and toonies, necklaces, ring pops, and pirate rings. I expected to be completely pooped out afterwards, but the kids and party all went great! He may be allowed to have a kid party again next year! :)