Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Party Time

It's looking like party time at the Stokes' House. It's Blake's 23rd birthday and we are having a surprise party for him. Time to decorate.

Little Sydney is ready for the party.

Logan's ready too.

Julia is busy with food prep, and Matt watches out for the birthday boy.

Mary putting up the lights.

Lookin good.

Emmy's firework cupcakes.

Gotta have Snow Cones for the 4th.

The table's ready for the guests to sign birthday wishes.

Emmy decorating the cupcakes.

Nice!

Julia with her twice baked tators.

Kati putting the final touches on her jello.

Matt and Mary working together.

Time to hide.

Kel's hiding place.

Mary's hiding place.

SURPRISE!

Wow! Mission Accomplished! We surprised Blake!

He's loving it!

Guys in Teal. Judah, Blake, and Joe.

Kelli and Blake in their 4th flops.

Hannah and Syd's red, white and blue toes.

The party's not over until the puzzles' finished. Emily, Claira and the babes are...well helping?

Cousins, Sydney, Josh, Matt, Sam and Logan.

Grill Masters, Blake and Josh.

Emily and Claira.

Sam, Jord, Blake and Josh.

Logan and Sydney lovin the cupcakes.

Frank and his girls.

Mary and Jules enjoying all the good food.

Tiffany, Kati, Josh, Blake and Kell.

Mary, Blake and me. Check out the shirts, no we didn't plan it.

Time to open presents.

Commander and Chef T. He is a great cook!

Kati made the delicious cake.

Blowing out the candles.

Blake and Nanny.

Kati and Kell with Nanny.

Jan and Me with Mama.

Look out! Josh has a lighter.

Run Baby Run!!!

Jules and me.

Mary and Jules.

Sydney with her sparkler.

Claira, Hanna, Jules and Emmy.

Hannah and Logan lovin the sparklers.

Josh and his smoke bombs.

We had only a few low key fireworks this year, which was fine with me.

Please don't try this at home. If you look close, you can see Josh Doolin jumping over the flame.

Mary and Julia having a good time

Well, the puzzle's finished, I guess it's time to call it a night. Blake had a great birthday with family and friends and we all enjoyed the 4th together. Great food and fellowship.

Happy Independence Day!! July 4th 2011

I have great memories of celebrating America's Independence Day with precious friends and family. I thank God for all His wonderful protection and blessings that He has richly bestowed upon America. I thank the Lord for all the men and women that fought for our freedom, and that continue that fight to protect us today. America may have problems, but after visiting a third world country, I don't want to live anywhere else. I thank the Lord Jesus for shedding His precious blood ,for atonement for our sins, for paying the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation and freedom from sin. We, who believe in Jesus, know that we are sojourners and pilgrims on this earth. Our final home is in heaven, God's Kingdom, where He sits on the throne. The King of King and the Lord of Lords. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 May God have mercy on America!

Hey, guess what's missing in all these pictures? People!! Where are all the people? Well, looks like we are needing to have a party. Check out my next post and see what's fixing to happen. Happy 4th of July yall!!

My New Addiction

Wow! It's been a year since I posted. Hey Everyone, I just got back from a wonderful trip to see my childhood friend, Kat Keener Emery in Maryland. While I was there, they were having a record breaking heatwave, as in 104 degrees. So, she introduced me to Rita's. The greatest place for a cool treat! Lo and behold we have one in Lakeland, so Mary, Matt and I went to check it out.

Yep, you can get gelati, custard, blendi's and my personal (non-dairy of course) favorite, the freezies. I love the Cotton Candy mixed with Mango:)

Matt and Me loving Rita's.

Mary had her sack full of quarters, but much to her dismay, it had a hole in it and well you know what happened......

Mary and Matt, sheer happiness.

Matt chose the chocolate custard in a cone....

Let's see, Strawberry, Tangerine, Juicy Pear, Keylime, Peach, oh yeah, did I mention Cotton Candy and Mango?

Mary finally decided on a Mango Custard Blendi.... Yummy!

Can't have ice cream treats without the H2O.

If you get too cold inside, you can come warm up in the Florida sunshine under Rita's umbrella.

Matt and I give Rita's five stars!!*****

No trip's complete without a little shopping, soooo we went over to Target and got some 4th of July decs and Matt invested his quarters in a new Hero.

Mary and Matt back at home with their treats.

We had a great afternoon. If you're lookin for a great way to beat the summer heat, just head on up to Rita's. I highly recommend it and I'd be glad to take you. Not a day goes by that I wouldn't love to have a Cotton Candy, Mango Freezie....... Love yall, Mrs. Stokesies June 2011