Sunday Snapshots: Birthdays, Ice Cream, and Uncle Max

Didn't I just say in last week's Sunday Snapshots, "Thus ends the crazy August birthday season?"

Well, yes, I did.  But I didn't say that all of the birthdays were over.  September 1 was this sweet girl's second birthday, and the first phase of our Sunday afternoon was dedicated to celebrating her, our youngest granddaughter Alaine.

The birthday girl was thrilled to open her presents, several of them packaged in owl-themed gift bags.  (One of Alaine's nicknames is "Owl-laine".  Story ~here~.)  Aunt Bekah presented her with a birthday cupcake, and she was all smiles as everyone sang to her.  So sweet!  

After the birthday party, we switched gears.  We had planned our end-of-summer homemade ice cream party, sort of a grand finale.  It had been overcast most of the day, but just about the time the ice cream was churned, thunder was rumbling in the distance and it began to sprinkle.  By the time all the guests had arrived, it was pouring, so instead of gathering in the back yard, we gathered in the kitchen.  No one minded.  After all, we had a gallon of chocolate ice cream and a gallon and a half of butter pecan to enjoy!  And Ron's sister Gloria got a birthday cupcake too!  (Alaine shares Aunt Gloria's birthday.)

Apparently, the coveted seat today was beside Uncle Max.  Kati says that it looks as if we either photoshopped in the kids, or we posed them beside a cardboard Uncle Max!  ~grin~   

(Or perhaps it's one of those "find the differences" pictures.)