If you can swallow, you can learn.

Last night, several sundry and diverse  relatives conglomerated at my patriarch and matriarch's house for an evening of fun, food, and fellowship.

You cannot deny the fact that the above sentence was lots of fun.  It amazed even myself.

My parents (aka, the previously mentioned Patriarch and Matriarch) always prepare fantastic cuisine.

Always.

I am sure my Lumberjack is sorely disappointed that I do not share in their genius cooking skills.

Tough break, Lumberjack.

Tough break.

First of all, we must discuss Little Dude.

Little Dude really likes to eat.

Everyone was finished, but he kept going.

"Mo!  Mo!"

(translation:  more!  more!)

Tonya, my sister-in-law, and I were intrigued at the size of potatoes my mother found to serve our guests.

Let us take a moment to admire mother's find:

I mean, who needs to eat a potato that large . . . really?

It's a good thing I am only pretending to be on Weight Watchers.

That could have been detrimental to my weight loss plan.

Naturally, after dinner it was time for presents.

Naturally.

Shoot!

I do believe I forgot to mention that we were having a small birthday celebration for Auntie Datenut.

I tend to be forgetful.

It happens.

Anyways . . . the above picture is Sweet Pea giving her a pot holder that she had created with love.

Not with help from me of course!

No.

I do not know how to even sew on a button.

Her grandma helped her.

Everyone smile!

Auntie!  You forgot to smile!

Try again.

*sigh*

Focus, children!

Focus!

Oh, well. 

Little Dude has this new little habit of sneaking off and reading books to himself, and he found some books and found a quiet spot to read away while the gift-giving commotion was commencing.

Let us have a bittersweet moment of love mixed with sadness as we gaze upon Little Dude ,and all his cuteness, and remember that he is growing up too fast.

*Thank you*

After gifts, it was time for dessert.

And now, ladies and gentlepeople, I would like to present to you the pies that I, yes, I, Taylor Mal-a-blah-blah, created from scratch (minus the crust, of course.  I have 4 children, people!) for this momentous and joyous occasion:

TA-DA!!!!

Interruption:  Update from yesterday's post:  My oven is, most assuredly, broken.  The stove top burners still work, though. 

Massive Interruption:  Clarification from yesterday's post:  Cousin Shane was not being hateful towards me when reading my post.  He was, in fact, being hilarious.  I just was uncomfortable having my post read aloud.  Cousin Shane is a very nice guy and was not being mean in the least! 

That concludes this massive, and almost unneccessary, interruption.

The Lumberjack, Brother Danny, and I were in charge of  the candle placement and lighting on the pies.

But, alas!

We could not find matches, nor any other sort of fire-igniting device.

But, my Lumberjack, in all his handsomeness . . .

found a solution.

You can't see the flame, on account of my poor photography skills, but he just lit a burner and used that.

What a weirdie.

Aaaaaannnnnnndddddd . . . I love him.

Happy Birthday!

***

While we were eating our delicious (if I do say so myself) pie, we began to reminisce about the days of yore.

And now, dear readers, I would like to present to you:

Goober Parent Update:  Days of Yore Edition

Auntie Datenut has a son, Neil.  He is close in age to my brother and I.

Back when Neil was about 11 or 12, Auntie Datenut and he lived with our family for a time.

Neil became sickly and had to miss some school.

I think he had missed a few days at this point.

My dad came home from work and the following conversation ensued:

Dad:  Did you go to school today, Neil?

Neil:  No.

Dad:  Why not?

Neil:  I still feel sick.

Dad:  That's ridiculous.  Go out to the garage and find me 2 National Geographic magazines.

Neil did as he was told.

Dad:  Ok.  Now read 2 articles and write me a 200 word summary on each.

Neil:  Why?

And my dad,

in all his uncle-ish wisdom and general intelligence,  made this statement that shall never be forgotten:

"If you can swallow, you can learn."

Brilliant!

Happy Wednesday!

P.S.-I will soon be doing a questions and answers post if you would like to leave a question for me, LJ, or the both of us.