5th Annual Baranko BBQ

Its that time of year again....Baranko BBQ time!  I can't believe this is our 5th summer in the house, therefore our 5th summer party with our friends.  The first and second years we had it were wild and crazy nights, then the third and fourth with Luke around were more low key.  This year was back to being a crazy night - all directly related to if Matt's college friends come into town for it or not.  This year it was awesome that he had a bunch of friends here for the weekend, including Mark in from NYC and Ken & Eric from IN.  We had a lot of fun families come, too, so it was kid central during the day, then party central after hours.  We had absolutely perfect weather, which hasn't always been the case.  It was just a fun weekend all around.

We looked into renting a bounce house for all the kids at the party, but then learned that for not much more we could BUY one!  So we are now the proud owners of this bounce house water slide combo.  That's Luke in the picture there - he was so pysched to play in it.

Claire reading a magazine with Dad catching up on her celebrity news.

Claire is officially sitting up on her own!!  What a big girl!

What's so funny?

We got one more visit in with Jenae, Jeremy and the boys.  They came over Wed night.

River, Luke and Lennon swimming

Trying out the water slide part of the bounce house.

Thursday night concerts in the park

We met neighbor Cate and her girls at the concert.

Dinner with the guys Friday night.  Mark got into town Thursday, then the others came up Friday and they had some fun time on the boat before hanging out around the pool.

Party time on Saturday.  The pool, the playset and the bouncehouse were all in full swing with our guests.  

My work friend Caren and her boys Ben and Jack

Chris and Seth hang out with the kiddos - they are the husband's of my friends Kim and Ivy 

The Sosne Family - I don't think they've missed an annual party yet!  Love to see them.

Eliah & Lily with Claire & Safet.  Safie pretending to be such a natural with babies!  About a second later he's like "Ok, I'm done." and handed her back to me.  

Kristin and Brinley

Beer pong was in full force

Cate & her girls Claire and Helena

Peter, Rebecca and Eloise

Helena and Claire having some girl time.  Helena is only a month or so older than Claire is.

Here is a video of Claire cracking up at Helena.  So cute!

Bonfire at night.  Luke was mesmerized by the fire, he just sat there staring at it.

Strange spicy pickle juice shot that Mark concocted.  Now I have three jars of spicy pickles with no juice in them sitting in my fridge.  Spicy pickle anyone?

Here's to the Wolfpack!

The next morning before everyone headed on their way - one last group picture.  Eric, Ken, Matt, Mark & Phil.

Relaxing Sunday afternoon with just the fam

There's a baby in that bucket!

Dozing Daddy

Claire wasn't as interested in sleeping

Claire trying out the bouncer for the first time- at first she didn't quite know what to expect, but now she's really into it.  Luke keeps trying to "boing" her and we have to watch him so he doesn't bounce her too aggressively.

She loves this Leap Frog toy that sings the alphabet.

Isolene made Luke this little house and he has played so many hours in it.  Note the little feet prints at the door.  The pack rat in me never wants to throw this away:)