Party Time!

{Cooper loves the MollDoll}

Cooper gets quite excited when Molly comes home {I do too!}. She has one more week of her Summer Session and then she's gracing us with her presence for a little while.  

Just like every other year, Summer flies by way too fast. 
ND Tailgating season is around the corner, and after that we'll be celebrating LawyerBoy and Carolyn's wedding!!...and then the Holidays...and then...sorry!! 
I know everyone shares the same all-to-quick, passage of time. 
I'm sure I don't need to remind you.

Yesterday we had our "First Annual In-Law Party"! Speaking of the passage of time, it seems like I served the appetizers, blinked my eyes, and the party was over! Needless to say, I took very few pictures. This made my children very happy...way too happy!

I'm blessed that my children are marrying into wonderful families. We all know you "can't pick your in-laws", so I'm delighted they're all inheriting awesome families. Knowing they'll be loved even more, makes me very happy.

My soon-to-be 88 year old mom joined the festivities. She never misses a party! Molly's very fond of her Grandma Lee, and made sure she was well taken care of. My Dad passed away thirteen years ago, and Grandma has been living alone ever since. She's a trooper though, and she continues to give me suggestions on how I can improve my entertaining skills. She's an Italian Martha Stewart, and spends lots of time watching the Food Network. 

I think everyone enjoyed themselves!
Carolyn's father demonstrated the fine art of floating, drinking, and snoozing!!

{LawyerBoy's "Dad-to-be", Jim}

When Michael married Margaret he was lucky enough to once again have a Grandpa...he was also lucky to inherit a Mother-in-Law who in no way represents the mean Mother-in-Law image! 

  {Grandpa and Jan}

Grandpa had a great time, and even showed us his swimming skills! 

He also brought me a beautiful Yankee candle, what a sweetheart! 

I'm wondering if he could be my Grandpa too!?

Maggie's Bryan has younger siblings, and it's always nice to have children actually running around the deck, and swimming in the pool {instead of drinking beer and lazily floating in a tube!}

{Scott and Bryan}

And speaking of Bryan...he's a Cubs fan, so I felt obligated to serve these just to tease him...

It was a great day, the weather cooperated, and the company couldn't have been better! And while I was outside socializing, little elves were furiously working in my kitchen! 

In-laws that love my children, know how to enjoy a party, and also clean up?!...

I don't think it gets much better than that!

"Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through finding the right family."  

                                                                                           ~Barnett R. Brickner