A Party for Claire

 

It is hard to believe Claire turned forty years old. Was it really that many years ago we had our first baby?! To mark this special occasion, her sisters and I planned a surprise party. Chelsea flew down from New Hampshire and Daniel made up a good reason to drive Claire and their family up from North Carolina. Claire was certainly surprised when she found Chelsea standing out on our patio! We made a celebration of the entire weekend from food shopping, to prep, to party.

We rented a large picnic shelter at Douthat State Park and threw a Tiki themed party.  Audrey and Tess bought lots of decorations, Chelsea made an excellent play list, and we all found Hawaiian recipes to prepare a picnic feast. 

It was a pretty setting for a party out in the woods. It was raining on and off but the kids,grand kids, nieces and nephews all managed to get in a little time on the lake. The rain didn't stop us from eating well, listening to good music, and celebrating Claire. Chelsea switched the music over to forties swing and all the dancers took to the area they had cleared for dancing. 

 

I was a little bit sad for the day to be over and to say goodbye to Claire and her family as they departed back home. Claire was my introduction into motherhood and I could not have had an easier, sweeter baby for my first. My heart is always full when I can have all my girls together at the same time,