Reunited with the old "Hood!"

Wait, did someone say party? Time to break out the Caprese!

I have to explain our old neighbors to you. The "Shooter" family. They are half 100% Irish, and half 100% Mexican. And all of their extended family lives in the area. This big, gracious, kind, and generous Irish/Mexican family has adopted us as their own. They have given us nicknames ("Big D" and "H-Bomb"). We are forever grateful since our adoption because we have brothers, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins and abuelas we never knew! We are part of something huge! There is just so many in this group, that we have slipped in and (secretly some don't even know we are not"technically" family!!!) And ALL these folks speak the same language when it comes to party!

The most recent fiesta was in celebration of Patrick's (PattyBoy's) First Communion. PattyBoy calls me Auntie Heather (upon request). Always has. God Bless Him. Even now (as embarassing as I can be for a preteenish sort of Boys' Boy that he is) he snuggles up next to me and (secretly until his friends arrive) tells me all about what it is like to be him.

Here's PattyBoy showing me how to pray (fitting for the occasion, right?)...on the Shooter Family's new patio's grand opening, an addition to the block since our departure...

Patty Boy with the ladies... (perhaps you can tell he's a heartbreaker already?) Lordy, he stole my heart years ago with his very first bounce house on his 2nd birthday. We didn't know the Shooter's yet, and saw that tiny Patty kept inside all morning as the Spiderman bounce house was going up...and when he was finally let outside....can you imagine the excitement??? Who knew we would someday take part in all this?

Patty Boy's First Communion was also the Best day of Charlotte's life = A never ending lemonade spout and a ginormous cake!! Because the Shooter's throw a party for children and adults alike, there were no rules. More lemonade? Ok. More cake? Ok. Whathaveyou.

Makes for a Happy C! (I know exactly how to give her the best birthday ever, coming right up!)

The following day Lily and I enjoyed the Shooter family again (while D and Charlotte napped) at the Lombard Parade...seated on the back of the (our?) Uncles pick up trucks, with snacks and cocktails and more fun and laughter.