mother nature vs. lilly hauck

what a party. no seriously...what. a. party. i am not quite sure how to even begin describing the events that took place at lilly's birthday party.

it all started out as a beautiful (although very hot) sunny sunday. the girls and i ran a couple errands, had lunch, waited for daddy to get home from his weekend trip. your typical sunday. when the girls went down for naps, i went to work. i had to put the finishing touches on some decorations, grab the grub and head over to the park to start setting up. the party was set to begin at 4 and at 3:50 we hear the first roll of thunder. i figured we might get a little rain but it would move by quickly. it is summer afterall and st. louis is known for quick summer showers. oh no no, mother nature had much more in store for lil's 1st birthday.

as guests started to arrive at 4 things were looking ok. by 4:15 it had started sprinkling. by 4:30 is was full on raining. the kids were not pleased to be stuck under the pavilion but we assured them the rain would be over soon. it started to rain harder...and then a little harder...and then came the wind. i'm not just talking about a slight breeze here. i am talking full on, gusts of wind flinging everything across the gazebo. the cupcakes went flying, kids were crying, adults were screaming...full on pandemoneium! as everyone huddled together under the tiny pavilion the rain began to come down sideways. then came the hail. seriously, what a mess! i felt terrible for making everyone endure such a storm but all i could do was laugh. at one point, as all 35 guests were shoulder to shoulder trying to stay dry, we all began to sing "happy birthday to lil". it was a moment i will never forget.

after what seemed like hours (the storm probably last about 30 minutes) the rain finally let up. as i grabbed a much needed beer i saw the party transform into what i had envisioned all along. the adults were mingling under the pavilion while the kids bolted to the playground. the sun made a miraculous return and altough we were all drenched, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. dottie saved the day by bringing the ice cream bar and all was well in the world!

the birthday girl in her new chair...ready to party!


thank goodness i got a shot of the decorations before the storm blew in. these are cupcakes and don't worry the birthay girl had at least 2 of these while i was baking them.




party favors! we had an ice cream cone theme...incase you couldn't already tell :)


down came the rain. she looks so sad doesn't she?


wait, it's raining? lilly & grace could care less...they have a bucket full of juice boxes!


ry & gretch enjoying some doritos. this was literally 1 minute before the wind picked up. their plates were airborn right after i took this picture!


daddy, keeping his cool mid-monsoon!




cue the wind...cupcakes down!








the sweeney's pull up right in the thick of the storm! they all stayed nice and dry in the car. lilly loves it when brendy shows up!


can we go yet?


and they're off...




the peterson's...dry as can be. good timing guys!


they're alive...and still smiling!


molly moo was loving the watermelon




the lolly pop guild






cousins, trip & lil. they are only 2 days apart. we are looking forward to celebrating trip's first birthday this weekend. i pray the weather cooperates for his party!


lilly loves her uncle-cousin michael!




the birthday girl finds a bowl full of jelly bellys. she has 4 teeth...that's not a choking hazard, right? only kidding, after snapping the picture i quickly snatched the candy. she was not happy.


bring on the ice cream. when you're mil owns an ice cream shop...you can turn just about any disaster around!


since the cupcakes were whipped across the pavilion this had to do for lil's birthday cake. good thing her actual birthday is friday, we'll get a re-do!


the kids eyeing their toppings...








who likes ice cream? ry does...


sisters in deep conversation


the giessman family enjoying their ice cream.






daddy giving his mini-me some birthday kisses






in keeping with our new tradition...we headed back to our house to order pizza and open presents. lilly, you're 2nd birthday will be held indoors!


what a day. it's hard to believe my baby girl is already 1. life is moving by at an unbelievable pace. it's moments like this that make me sit back and smile. because one thing is certain...we will never forget lilly's first birthday!