Our neighbors, Sandy and Tom Story, invited us to join them for their daughter Erin's 30th birthday party tonight. Bring a white elephant they said, son-in-law Jason will make the brats.We didn't hesitate. Our house is full of white elephants and Jason is a Packer fan from Wisconsin and knows all about making brats and serving beer. Look closely at the picture of Erin cavorting and you'll see a blonde hairpiece purchased by Kathleen years ago to augment her do, but never worn seriously. Erin may have gotten more fun out of it than Kathleen ever did.
The party was held at the couples new home in Shakopee, about two miles from our place, adjacent to the new school. Kathleen thinks their location is the greatest. She grew up by St. Paul Central and grew to love the hustle and bustle of a school yard neighborhood.
Sandy is a church secretary, so she has first dibs on all the great recipes. She baked a strawberry cake for her daughter and got lots of approval.We surprised Erin -- a little-- as her brother, sisters, in-laws, nieces and nephews all shouted out at the right time.
Jason's brats were perfect, Erin looks really good for 30, and the fire pit capped off the evening's good times.
Tom and Sandy's grandson, Joey, is Emily's age, so we're constantly questioning his mother, Holly, about progress. Joey has brothers and sisters so that's why he walked and talked sooner than Emily, we figure. Tom and Sandy will be going on holiday again this weekend. They are always going somewhere, it seems. It is hard to keep track of their comings and goings and all the excitment in their lives.
