Beautifully Busy Weekend {part 2}

'Sweet 16th Celebration'

The first big event of the weekend was celebrating my sister Emily's 16th birthday party. Her few simple requests were that the guests bring hammocks + instruments and that all of her eight siblings attend. Requests granted! 

A rare sighting, all eight Bailey siblings together! We try to make this happen as often as possible but with work schedules, and babies and school it sure is difficult. I guess it just makes it that much more precious whenever ever it's able to happen. Here we are, lined up in birth order (right to left). If you've interacted with us at all, you know how vastly different we can be. In these eight individuals there are planners & dreamers, debaters & peace-makers, spotlight stealers & reserved thinkers. As you can imagine, all that mixed together can make for some terrific conflict (I'm just being honest here). But we do love each other despite the differences. And I know we wouldn't trade each other for the world. 

Plus….we take amazing goofy shots as a group ;)

The party went long into the mild Spring evening. We conversed while  'filling up the corners' at the food table.  We let the grass cool our bare feet. We snuggled the babies and caught up with friends and sang 'Happy Birthday' to our little sister. All the while the sun sank slowly and deliberately, as if it wanted to linger on and observe all the beautiful interactions and happy faces.

We laughed a lot. Swung on hammocks. Played volley ball & corn hole. We fellowshipped around the campfire and celebrated, not only Emily's life, but the whole of life that God has given us. We are a blessed people indeed.