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We used Skype to call and wish Doug a happy birthday during his big party. The sound was patchy and being 10AM our time, barely had our first cup of tea, it was a bit trippy. It was almost midnight in Juneau and the party was in full swing. When we finally found Jay's phone number and called, he couldn't recognize us. He kept saying "I don't know who this is and we kept hollering "Ryan and Laura!" but then he hung up. So we called back yelled it again, and he said "Ryan and Mara?.... Oh! Ryan and Laura!). The phone got passed around a bit, and Collette gave us an excellent play-by-play of the wedding ceremony and other ongoing debauchery. We were able to get through to Doug and sing him a barely audible Happy Birthday from halfway around the world. Wish we could've been there in person and glad we weren't there in person! ;)

We had a holiday get together last night and it was the first time so many of the babies got to party with each other and the adults. As I'm standing between the living room and kitchen, hearing from one ear babies squawking, squealing, and giggling, and from the other ear adults having adult conversation, I realized I've transitioned into a new kind of party.

Way back when, oh so many years ago (it seems), a party was a thing with nary a limit. Nowadays that has changed, and indeed for the better!

Now we've got responsibilities, and we have to enforce the rules ("please stop whapping the baby on the head with the foam noodle"). But that just makes it all the more fun! It's no challenge to go to a party and just... party. The real fun comes into play when balancing infants' survival and growth while at the same time getting to hang-out and enjoy other adults (ie: making fun of politicians and carrying-on an asinine conversation about Little House on the Prairie or Starblazers).

Here's a couple pics of the Boys and Girls and their babes. I should also mention there were a number of non-parents in attendance (not pictured), and THANK GOD for them to keep us sane!