B is for Birthday.

Lauren started her birthday wearing her Boston Red Sox cap (hence the "B") and opening some presents from Mommy and Daddy.



As Mark tells it, the story goes that Mommy spent all this time shopping for cool toys for Lauren, but in the end, she declared that her favorite present was...



A framed elephant drawing made by Daddy.



Then, it was time for party guests to arrive. For the children's party, I might add. AHEM.



See? There are the children. Amber and Ashley are part of Lauren's posse. She loves playing with them more than opening presents.




But open presents she did - lots and lots of them.



Oh, look - another elephant. You can't have enough of those.



And what do you know - yet ANOTHER elephant. And scientists wonder why the elephant population is decreasing. It's really not cause they're all at our house.



Now, here's what I call a birthday present. Uncle Mike gave Lauren genuine collectible figures of Lieutenant Georgi LaForge and Commander William Riker from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Lauren loves to watch ST: TNG. I can't imagine who could have influenced that interest.



Mel C. models for us some of Lauren's new ensembles.



And Mark models for the girls.



Our nephew Noah has a May birthday too. He'll have his turn on May 21st when he turns two.



Noah and his mommy.



Noah with his daddy and grandma.



And lastly, my family: Aunt Phyllis, Crazy Uncle Craig, Mom and Dad. I will most certainly hear about this one.