Austin's 9th birthday party

Last night we had Austin's birthday party.  His actual birthday is the 15th, but since we leave for Michigan in the morning and will be there for his bday, we celebrated with his friends before we left on our trip.  Needless to say, its been a little crazy doing a camping trip, a bday party 2 days later, and leaving for Michigan 2 days after that.  Its all fun stuff though and we are thoroughly enjoying ourselves!  There is much excitement in our house.  Austin's party was a reptile party.  I met this wonderful friend, Bonnie, when I've subbed in the school where she works and have gotten to know her over the last 2 years.  She is a reptile enthusiast!  She has a whole room in her house dedicated to her creatures.  We visited her house last summer and it was the highlight of the summer for the boys to get to see and hold so many interesting reptiles.  Bonnie graciously agreed to pack up a bunch of her critters and bring them to our house for the party.  It was a lot of work for her, but I think its safe to say she enjoyed showing off her animals.  She even went so far as to catch a "deposit" from the tortoise to save it from landing on my carpet! 

The weather cooperated beautifully for pizza in the backyard.

 This is a ball python we borrowed from a new friend at church.  I met her when I was asking around for someone that had a snake we could use for the party. 

 The snake cake...

 Bonnie and her tortoise...

 My favorite, the chameleon named Frankie...

I don't know how to spell this one's name, its something like euromastix.  They come from Saudi Arabia/Egypt. 

 The frilled lizard named Lacey

 Lacey was so relaxed she would lay on her back...

 I think this was called an ornamental horned toad.  It will grow to be the size of a dinner plate.  It looks a lot like a puddle...

 Blowing out the candles...