Elvis is Everywhere

We can report that Elvis is indeed alive, based on these multiple sightings over the Halloween weekend....

Everyone knows that Elvis had a fondness for sweets.

And then there are the major corporate endorsement deals. Here he takes time to do some photo-ops (and a little trick-or-treating) at FedEx Office. He looks a little miffed that he has to share his celebrity status with Buzz Lightyear. 

 Elvis always traveled with his posse. Here he is celebrating his buddy Brendan's first birthday along with Caitlyn. These three go way back, having gone to school together since they were just babies.

After so many demands on him, it's easy to see why Elvis turned to the bottle. It's tough being The King. 

First Birthday

Tate's first birthday was on Friday, and we had a fun Halloween-theme party for him on Saturday...

The cake matched the "calling all little monsters" invitation

The food was all spook-tacular thanks to my Mom, sister Nancy, and friend Lisa (who is in the process of starting her own business planning kids' birthday parties...let me know if you're interested and I'll put you in touch!). Note the tags that my Mom made for each dish...we had "witch's potion," "mummy dogs," etc.

The guests started arriving in their costumes which included Star Wars stars (Luke and Isaac) and a supercute little ladybug (Mary).

There was a chillin chicken (Landon)....

...and a darling duck (Allie)...

...and a precious princess (Graelyn)...

...and, of course, The King himself.

Even Mama June got into the spirit and dressed like an angel. This picture just begs for a caption...Nancy suggested "Turn away from the light, Mama June!"...I was thinking that it appears she is saying "Why Me God?" as she enters a one-year-old's birthday party...

We started with some crafts, making picture frames.

Then Lisa and Mama Mia both read Halloween stories.

Tate was a little overwhelmed at cake time.

But he hung in there and gave it a try.

Princess Gwen took a ride on Tate's rocking horse (his gift from Mama Mia and Big Guy)

And then we got a group shot. Out of 21 different pictures we took of the group on my camera alone, this one had the largest number of kids actually looking up. It was quite a feat getting 9 children to pose for a picture, despite the parents' best efforts. And by "parents' best efforts," I mean "parents' craziness." This is what was going on behind the cameras:

There were also a few special guests who were out trying to drum up the youth vote for the upcoming election...you can see them (and more pictures) on my Dad's blog.

It was a great day, but I'm a little sad that he's already one year old! It has gone by so fast. Happy Birthday sweet baby Tate!

Elvis lives

Today is the anniversary of the King's "alleged" death. In Memphis it is celebrated with a week of activities known as Death Week. (OK, the official name is "Elvis Week," but everyone in Memphis calls it Death Week.)

We couldn't let this holiday pass without a tribute. We've been listening to Elvis and eating peanut butter and banana sandwiches in his honor. (Peanut butter for me, bananas for Tate).

Practicing his Elvis moves.