~First Ever~ "What's In?" Wednesday- Link Up!

Today is my first ever link up party, and I'm so excited to announce it! I've been wanting to do this for sometime now, but life has been busy, and I've wanted to make sure that everything was 100% ready!

"What's In?" link up will be posted every Wednesday! There will be a weekly topic that you'll get to blog about and link your blog post back to this blog. It will be a chance to gain new followers each week, but in a new and exciting way, than just posting a link to your blog!

Here are the rules:

• Be a follower of Honey Pie Accessories


• Add your link the McLinky- posting back to your topic of the week


• Follow as many blogs as you'd like


• Follow back the blogs that follow you


• Add the "What's In?" button (on the right side of the page) to your blog.

Easy, right?!

So, here's our first "what's in?" topic! "What's In Your Blog?" Tell us all about your blog, help us to get to know you better, and to learn what you have to offer!

Now, that you know this week's theme, don't you want to know what's in my blog?!

Well, I've been blogging for about a year and a half, and I post what I love! I want to share my passions with you and introduce my readers to a variety of topics. I don't limit myself, or my topics!

You'll find that I often post about my business. I guess that's one reason that I created this blog. I started Honey Pie Accessories over two years ago. I started making hair bows, but the business has grown into so many more items! You'll read about them here! I also will add tutorials throughout the blog! They might be tutorials that I've found somewhere else and tried myself, or things I've come up with on my own. You'll learn some great party planning tips as well and find some amazing recipes! Well, as amazing as they can be, because I'm not the best cook! Each week, you'll read about my "Teaching Tots" series! I was really good about posting these over the summer, but haven't been as great since starting back to work! But, you'll find some fun activities to do with your little tot! I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter, who "tests" all of the activities, and I'm a full time speech pathologist, so you'll also get some tips that I use in therapy!
You'll also read about my family- yup, there the best! It's just the 3 of us, but we are TTC baby #2! So, you may even read a bit about that as well! My daughter is a ham, and she's just like me! My husband is amazing, and super supportive! You might even hear about my love/hate relationship with football! (He's in college athletics)
See, I told you it was a hodge podge! But, that's me, a little bit of everything!!!!

So, "What's In Your Blog?" go write your post and come back here to link up! What an exciting way to gain new followers!!!

Next week's topic- "What's In Your Dinner?"

HPA New & Updated Policies

Due to my business growing and learning what is and what isn't working, I have to make changes to a few of my "policies". I don't think these are bad things, just ways to protect you as a customer, and myself as a business operator.

All of these policies will begin on September 1, 2010. Changes will not affect customers that have orders already in place.

• Wipe Cases are going up in price from $10.00 to $11.00. This is because my supplier has also gone up in price.
• Short sleeve applique' shirts will remain at a starting price of $12.00. Long sleeve applique' shirts will have a starting price of $13.00. Adult applique' shirts will start at $14.00
• Shirts with more than 1 type of applique', will have a charge of $1.00& up per extra applique'. For example, if you choose to have your child's name "Layla" on a long sleeve shirt- the price would be 13.00 for the shirt, plus 1.00 per letter (minus 1 letter). So, the price would be $17.00.
• Monogramming will be $3.00 for 1 letter, $4.00 for initials, names, etc.
• Pillowcase dresses from newborn-2T will remain $18.00. Dresses from 3T on up, will begin at $20.00. You must send a length measurement when placing your dress order. If a length measurement is not given, we will do a best "guess" at length sizes. If you do not provide a length measurement it will not be our fault if the dress is too short or too long.
• Shipping will remain $3.00 flat rate, unless you would like a confirmation number or priority mail, then the price is $5.00. I will automatically charge $3.00 for shipping, it is up to you to request the confirmation or priority mail. HPA will re-use shipping products (boxes, envelopes) to help save on shipping costs. If you prefer a new box, please notify me when paying for your order. Shipping supplies are the most thrown away and non-recycled items, I want to re-use these when possible, as part of my own green initative.
• If an order has to be shipped from myself to GG (for monogramming), or from GG to myself (for appliqueing) the shipping will be $5.00. Currently, if someone is placing an order, that I have to ship to GG, and then GG ships it to the customer, we're paying double for shipping.
• If you are requesting a certain color or style of shirt or fabric choices, you are more than welcome to buy it yourself, and ship it to me to use. I will adjust the price as necessary- typically around $6.00 per shirt, or fabric. You will still be required to pay $3.00 shipping for me to ship the completed item back to you.
• Custom orders must be paid by 1/2 of the total price in advance. Once an order is placed, I will give you a quote on price. You must pay 1/2 of the quoted price, in order for your order to be processed. Once your item is completed, you will be required to pay the other 1/2 of the quoted price. Please note, that this price was a quote and may be slightly altered. You are more than welcome to pay your order in full in advance. If you pay in full, your quote will not be altered.
• I do not accept refunds/returns. I will give refunds, if you over-pay for an item. If for some reason you are not happy with your item, please let me know, and we can give you a discount on future purchases. If you are not happy with a hair bow, I may be able to remake it and ship it to you, with your next order, or if you will pay shipping costs. I will however alter this policy as needed in order to keep your business- I want you to be happy with your product!

I want to thank all of my customers for being so loyal to Honey Pie Accessories! I strive to make each piece custom and unique and I'll only send the best to my customers! Without you, this business would not be possible! The past few months have kept me so unbelievably busy, and i'm honestly grateful for that!

Fan Jam

Every year, pre-season, we head out to Fan Jam to meet all of the football players, cheerleaders, and other fall sports teams at BSU. Of course, we have to go, because of DJ, but I think we'd head out regardless because it's so much fun!

As Gretchen gets older, she's also able to experience more of the activities and games, so she had a blast this year! She got a Cardinal tatoo on her cheek, just like the cheerleaders wear!

And practiced her field hockey skills, although, she thought she was playing golf!

And, kicked around the soccer ball with the soccer girls! (They loved her!) The soccer girls asked her if she was going to play soccer when she grew up, and she said "No, I gonna be a football kid!"

Daddy was impressed that she could drink from an open cup! It was so hot on the field turf that she had to have something!

And, every year, we get a new picture of Gretchen and her daddy. This picture goes in a special frame by his chair in the living room! I'm just glad she cooperated this year!

Thursday marks our opening game, and I'm finally getting excited that football is here and fall is just around the corner!

What's one of your favorite football traditions?

As of Late

This past month has been busy in the Honey Pie world, and I'm grateful for that! I love spending my spare time creating items that can be enjoyed by others. After all, there's only so much that I can make for my own little honey!

I made this wipe case for Lacy, who is expecting twin boys. I love the baseball fabric, and I think the baseball ribbon adds a fun touch along with the red trim.

Sandy, is expecting her second little boy in September and requested custom burpies. She is doing a turtle theme for her sons room, but also wanted some fun fabrics as well! I love the classic style of the green w/ blue damask, and the fun modern circles on the orange burpie!

The burpies below are more of her requested "turtle" themed, of course the outside two speak for themselves, but I think the retro circles of the middle burpie adds a twist on the turtle theme.

Nicole saw a guitar onesie applique' that I made for a little boy, and requested that it be done in fun girly colors. I had these fabrics, and knew that they'd be perfect with lime green stitching around the outside with lime green guitar strings!

Like I said, I always feel blessed creating these items for others! I hope that each of my customers and their little honey's love these items as much as I do!

Satisfied Honey: Preslei

How adorable is Miss Preslei in her custom Notre Dame pillowcase dress?

Preslei's parents are huge Notre Dame fans- they must be b/c they've not only ordered this dress, but a "ND" applique' shirt as well!

GG Created this dress for Preslei using navy blue fabric, with a gold hem. GG monogramed her name across the top in gold, and "Notre Dame" in navy across the hem. The dress also features gold grosgrain ribbon ties!

I hope Miss Preslei enjoys cheering on the Fighting Irish this year!!!

I'm a Blogomania Sponsor!

Florida Frugal Family contacted me to be a blogomania sponsor for the month of September, and I happily agreed! I sent a witch feet applique shirt over for her to review and I'll be giving one away!

To earn extra entries and to check out her post, go here!

Can you believe it's Friday already?! Okay, well, I'm posting this on Thursday evening, but I'm so looking forward to tomorrow!

I've had a very busy week at work, not only was it my first full week back with students, but it was also spent traveling to community schools to complete hearing screens. You remember the drill from school- "raise your hand when you hear the beep." As a speech therapist, I should be attesting to how important it is, as more and more children are being identified with a hearing loss or impairment of some sorts. But, screenings also make for very long days!

To top it off, I was only able to spend a few afternoons in my building, so I feel like I haven't achieved anything! I had hoped to start seeing kids for therapy next week, but that looks very unlikely! My new goal is by next Wednesday, so we'll see if that happens!

If you're stopping over from the Social Parade, i'd love for you to take a few moments and check out my blog! Leave me a comment, if you're a new follower, and I promise I'll return the favor and follow you back!

Recipe: Chicken, Spinach, Ranch Pizza

I mentioned last week that Gretchen is loving to help in the kitchen! Since, DJ has been at football every night for the past month, I haven't done much cooking, but I was craving this pizza, so I decided to go ahead and cook!
Season chicken breasts with italian seasoning and cook until done. Cut into small pieces.

I used a pre-made crust, and let Gretchen thinly spread ranch dressing on.

Next, I chopped the spinach into small pieces (I used fresh spinach), and let Gretchen put the spinach on. I placed the chicken onto the pieces because it was still hot.

Gretchen helped me to sprinkle mozerella cheese onto the pizza.

We baked in a 350 degree oven, until the cheese was bubbly.

I've stuck with homemade pepporoni pizza for so long, so this was a nice change, and it felt a ibt healthier!

"ASU" applique'

I had a request for an applique' shirt for Arkansas State, and this is what I came up with:

It was fun creating a shirt for someone who supports the same team, as to where I went to college, and I loved finding the perfect font for these letters! Plus, it gave me a chance to create something for an adult, when I typically create children's clothes!

I know Jill will look great in the stands cheering on the Red Wolves, and I'm sure everyone will want to know where she got the shirt! Enjoy Jill!

What is CappsKids?

Since deciding to auction off items for CappsKids I've had the pleasure of speaking with Amy, the organization's president. Amy's own son has had craniofacial surgery.

The mission of CAPPSkids is to spread awareness educate and offer support and guidance to families affected by Craniosynostosis and/or Positional Plagiocephaly. We use our funds for educational materials that will help both medical and non medical folks understand how important it is to recognize and treat these conditions.

The proceeds of the infant beanie and interchangeable hair bows will help Capps Kids purchase more educational materials.

99% of our families have never heard of these conditions and need support to help cope with a craniofacial surgery for their child. You can help these families, by placing a bid on the bubblegum hair bow featured below.

Craniofacial surgery is like no other. Our babies swell beyond recognition and their appearance is forever changed. It is scary, heart wrenching and a bit sad after months of looking and getting to know our child and knowing he/she will forever be changed.

The proceeds of the burpie and bib clip combination will help to pay for these surgeries.

CAPPS is here to hold the hand of each and every family that we come in contact. Our hope is that no family feels alone in their journey before, during or after.

I don't know personally know a family that has been affected by craniofacial surgery, but I do know that with our help, they'll feel our love and support.

If you would like to help support any of these families, please visit my facebook page at "Honey Pie Accessories". Place a bid on any of the items posted in the auction album. Not only can you bid on the photos above, but you can also bid on a custom tutu for halloween, in orange and purple shimmering tulle.

It's my hope, that we can raise as much money as possible to support CAPPSkids. I'm giving 100% of the proceeds from this auction directly to CAPPSkids, which is unlike any other charity auction I have seen before.

You can also help, by spreading the message in blog posts, emails, and on your own facebook page.

Want this Bow?

Then, "like" Honey Pie Accessories on Facebook, and you can win this bow in a hair bow auction to support CappsKids!

I'll also have other items up for auction to help such a fabulous charity!

And, I'll have a few guests posts next week to teach us more about craniosynostis and positional plagiocephaly!

Calling All Irish....

Or Notre Dame fans! I had a request for a custom Notre Dame applique shirt, and this is what I came up with!

Navy blue fabric is used to make the "N D", and it's outlined in a gold stitching!

There is going to be one cute little honey cheering on the Irish this fall!

Bow for a Cause- CAPPS!

After having a few comments yesterday on my blog and on various message boards, I have decided that CAPPS will receive 100% of the proceeds from my hair bow auction!

I think that CAPPS will be a worthwhile organization to donate the money to, as it helps to provide surgeries for children with craniosynostis. If you want to learn more about CAPPS, please visit their website.

My original plan was to auction off one hair bow, however, I have since decided to auction off more hair bows than that, and I might even throw in a few other options! The hair bow auction will start Sunday evening or Monday, on my Facebook page- Honey Pie Accessories.

Please help me spread the word through this weekend, whether it be on your blog, facebook page, emails, etc.

I would love for this to be a success, as I feel so blessed to be able to do this for such a wonderful cause!

Check in over the weekend, as I will be posting more information regarding the auction.

CAPPS- I hope this will be a successful auction for all of your fantastic families and children!

Hair Bow for a Cause

So, a few days ago, I posted about wanting to auction off a hair bow. Thanks to the suggestions from my wonderful Facebook fans, I have narrowed it down to two charities!

The first is "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep", and the second is CAPPS- i'll tell you what all those letters are in a bit!

So, now, I want you, my blog readers to help me decide!

"Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep", (NILMDTS) is an organization which provides photography to families that have lost an infant. This organization strives to "introduce remberance photography to parents suffering the loss of their baby with the free gift of professional photography." This foundation has a network of 7,000 volunteer photographers in the U.S. At a familie's request, the photographer will come to the hospital or hospice location and conduct a private and sensitive portrait session. The portraits are professionally retouched and presented to the family on a DVD or CD, and they can print out the portraits.

I think this charity touches me the most, because a high school friend of mine, lost her daugther over 2 years ago, just 7 days after her birth. I'm not sure if they used this organization, but I know they have pictures, and she still wears her daughter's picture on a necklace. Their story is still so touching to me, and I truely feel for families that have to endure such a loss.

CAPPS, or Craniosynostosis and Positional Plagiocephaly Support, mission is to "spread awareness, educate, and offer support and guidance to families affected by craniosynostosi and plagiocephaly". Craniosynostosis is a condition in which one or more of the fibrous sutures in an infant skull prematurely fuses, which results in restricted skull and brain growth, and is potentionally congenital. Surgery is typically used to seperate the fused sutures of the skull and to reshape the skull. Yankees catcher, Jorge Posada son's was diagnosed with the condition, and he bagan the Jorge Posada Foundation, in honor of his son. This organization will help families who are unable to pay for the corrective surgeries.

So, which one do we choose? Both are very worthwhile organizations! Help me decide by leaving a comment on this post. Once a majority has been reached, I'll announce the winning charity, and the auction for the hair bow will begin!

HPA Giveaway on A Mom's Take

A Mom's Take is offering a giveaway of Honey Pie items! The giveaway is open now through August 27th, and there are multiple ways for you to enter!

You could win a burp cloth, bib clip, and bib, or a set of 5 starter hair bows! Just go here to enter!!!

Hair Bow Auction

I sat down tonight to work on a hair bow for a contest in one of my hair bow making groups. I fell in love with the bow, and it's so awesome, that I decided that it needed to go to someone fabulous! As I was completing the back-to-school themed hair bow, I came up with an idea to auction off the hair bow!

However, I need your help to decide which charity the proceeds should go to! The only idea I've come up with thus far is to use the proceeds to purchase school supplies for some of the kids in the school where I work, or to purchase other necessity items that they may need. Do you have any suggestions for a different charity or organization? I do know that I want the proceeds to go to children, so keep that in mind as you're giving me suggestions!

Here's how the auction will work:

• Once a charity has been decided, I will post a picture of the hair bow to my facebook page in it's own album, along with a detailed description of the bow.
• The price will start at $8.00, and bidding will be made in $1.00 increments.
• The auction will last for one week, and the hair bow will go to the highest bidder.
• The winner will have to pay $3.00 in shipping, and payment must be made within 24 hours of notification to my paypal account.
• All proceeds will go to chosen charity, except for the 3% fee that paypal charges.

Here's how you can help:

• "Like" my facebook page, if you don't already (Honey Pie Accessories)
• Tweet about the auction, and more importantly, the charity once it's been decided.
• Blog about the auction and the charity.
• Pass the word around to all of your friends.
• Bid!

I am really looking forward to this! I think that it will be a great cause, and if it's a success, I'll even do it again! I really feel that it's important to give back, and I've wanted to do some charitable work with my business, but I haven't really decided how- until now!
So, help me decide which charity, get the word out, and bid! I want this to be a huge success, and it WILL BE with your HELP!

Longhorns Hair Bow

I posted my Longhorns applique shirt a few days ago, but I wanted to post the matching hair bow! I ordered the bottlecap, because I don't have the time to make my own, and used the twisted boutique style for the base orange bow and the top black bow. The bow also features an orange surround-a-loop, and a football ribbon spray.

I love how the hair bow turned out and I know that it will look fabulous with the matching shirt! Even better, the little honey wearing it will have so much team spirit!

If you'd like a custom hair bow or shirt for your little honey, or even a little mr. honey, please let me know! You can find me on Facebook at Honey Pie Accessories! This hair bow is $10.00

Recipe: French Toast

French toast is my most favorite breakfast food! My stepdad grew up calling it "egg bread", so in my parent's house we call it "french egg bread".

I'm throwing this recipe into my "teaching tots" series as well, because I think that your toddler, preschooler, or older child can learn so much helping in the kitchen! I didn't enjoy cooking when I was younger, and I still don't, so I'm hoping that having Gretchen in the kitchen with me will help her to enjoy it cooking more than I do! Plus, she's at a stage where she wants to help, so I try to let her do as much as she can. To make the egg batter, you'll need eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon/nutmeg (optional). Crack the eggs in a pie dish, add a little bit of milk and sugar. Add cinnamon and/or nutmeg to taste. Whisk the eggs with a fork.

I let Gretchen help me "stir" the eggs, and shake the cinnamon into the batter.

Gretchen also helped by placing the bread into the egg mixture. We talked about how the bread was brown (because we use wheat), and the batter was yellow. You can also talk about the bread being soft, and have your child feel the bread.

Warning- Gretchen pokes holes in the bread, so your child may want to do something silly as well! She also threw the bread into the mixture, which caused a huge splash of egg batter onto my backsplash and stove, so have a wet towel handy to wipe up any messes!

I placed the bread into the hot skillet. When cooking with your child, make sure that they cannot reach the stove. This is also a good time to teach them the word "hot".

Cook bread on each side until the egg mixture has turned a golden yellow and brown.

I serve my french toast with strawberries. My husband also likes it with powdered sugar. I let Gretchen place the strawberries on her plate, and we talked about the color of the strawberries. If the toast is cool, they can also choose which slice they want and fix their plate themselves.

There are so many ways to teach your tot, and to embed important concepts into everyday activities.

What are some of your favorite daily activities with your tot that you incorporate "teaching" moments? Do you have a variation on french toast that your family enjoys?

Longhorns, Cowboys, and Michigan

I know these don't seem like they have much in common, but they do! Not only are the Longhorns, Cowboys, and Michigan all football teams, but they're all some of my newest applique's!

This Navy Blue Cowboys star is stitched in silver. I'm going to send it to my mom and have her monogram "Cowboys" in silver underneath the star. This will be such a cute shirt for both of my neices as they are huge Cowboys fans!

I love how this Michigan shirt turned out! It has a large navy blue "M" stitched in yellow.

The Longhorns logo went against my SEC, Razorback routes, but it really is cute! I stitched it all in orange, rather than black so it didn't appear to "halloween". The little honey that wears this shirt will be sure to yell "hook 'em horns!" at all of their games!

I've had tons of fun creating these applique shirts for various little cheerleading fans! If you need a shirt for your little fan, please contact me and I would love to work with you!

GG's Collections: Layette Gowns

GG has been making layette gowns for several months now as baby shower gifts. I've posted them on my website, but I haven't blogged about them.

Layette gowns are $20.00 ($3.00 additional for monogramming). They're made with gerber or other high quality onesies, and have an attached fabric gown. They feature an elastic opening at the bottom, and a button closure at the base of the onesie.

Gowns make for easy diaper changes and plenty of leg room for baby to kick and stretch. Onesies can also feature mitten covers, so baby won't scratch.

These are perfect baby shower gifts, or coming home outfits for new babies. And, they're not just for girls! Yours can be customized in a boy fabric, and also in minky dot material. We can also add monogramming!

To check out more of GG's Collections visit our website.

Social Parade~Welcome~

Today is Friday, and I'm linking up wiht Smart and Trendy Moms for their weekly Social Parade! I found some wonderful blogs last week and can't wait to see who's joining in today to see what other blogs I can find!

If you're visiting Honey Pie Accessories for the first time, then I want to Welcome YOU!

My name is Elaine and I've been blogging for about a year and a half (wow, has it been that long?) I have been married for 4 1/2 years, and I have a 2 1/2 year old little honey pie! I work full time at an elementary school, as their speech pathologist, and in my spare time (haha) I operate my business "Honey Pie Accessories".

I blog about many things! I love to blog about my family and crafts. I'll post recipes, activities, and each week I have a "Teaching Tots" segment, where I talk about fun activities that you can do with your toddler or preschooler! I'm also going to start a weekly link-up called "What's in it?" that will start this Wednesday (which reminds me, that I have to get started on that post!)

For those of you who decide to follow me, thank you!!! and I'll follow each of you back. I love reading new blogs and having new readers!

Satisfied Honey's: Too cute for words!

I absolutely love to get pictures of happy little honey's in their bows and outfits from Honey Pie Accessories. Check out River in her custom Razorback pillowcase dress and made-to-match hairbow- she'll be the cutest little cheerleader while she cheers on the Hogs this year..... PiG SoUiE!

And, miss Phoebe. Isn't she just precious?! Her mom is a professional photographer, and just takes the best pictures! Phoebe is wearing a yellow and white polk-a-dot hair bow in the photograph above, and below she is wearing a soft pink bow. Do you think her parents love basketball?

And, our new little honey is Berkleigh. She's only a few days old and is already being a fashionista in her Honey Pie hat hospital hat and hair bow (the hat's interchangeable!)

Thanks momma's for sharing pictures of your adorable little honey's!

Football Practice

Since football started, Gretchen hasn't had too many days of seeing her daddy. We try to take advantage of the afternoons we have free to go and visit him, so we went to practice yesterday.

I showed Gretchen her new football shirt and she decided that she had to wear it to "football." She really enjoyed running around on the practice field and throwing the football-ball (as she says) to her daddy.

She also crawled over the bags.

And then decided they were better used as balance beams

She calls the football players, "football kids", which I think is hilarious!

And, she even sat still enough for me to get a picture of her and her daddy! I know that she loves going to "football" to see him!!! And, she proudly cheers on "Ball Bate" while she's there!

DJ's 30th Surprise Par-tee

My husband turned the big 3-0 while we were on vacation this summer. To celebrate, his family and I decided to throw him a surprise party. This was probably the most difficult party I had to plan because the party was going to be in Arkansas, and we're 12 hours away from there.

Thankfully, my husband trusts me, and I know his email account password, and facebook allowed me access to his friends, so I was able to send out e-vites! And, a big shout out to his mom, sister, and sister-in-law for helping me to communicate and find local bakers, caterers, and so much more! We set up the food inside. Has anyone ever spent a summer in Arkansas? It's hot! And, where they live, the mosquitos are AWFUL! I think mosquitos should truely be the state bird.... We served homemade chex mix (a family favorite), a layered taco dip, spinach dip, and salsa, as well as a few veggies, and yummy chocolate covered peanuts! Our main course was brats and baked beans that were catered by my husbands favorite local BBQ joint.

I decided to use a golf theme, since it's been his favorite activity this summer!

I found the plaid fabric at Hobby Lobby, and decided that I would make golf flags as the table centerpieces. I had to make the flags here, and pack them in the bottom of the suitcase. All the while, my sister-in-law and father-in-law had to figure out the bases for these! When the flags were in placed, we hot glued green crinkle grass around the base of the stand and a little on the table (so the wind wouldn't blow the grass in the yard)We used the colors in the flags as inspiration for everything else, and used red tablecloths and I found little golf ball stickers, that we let my neices place on the tables.

I ordered personalized golf tee's as party favors and set those around the tables as well.

I also made the birthday banner at our house, and shipped it to my mother in law before we left on vacation!

I wasn't sure what type of cake I wanted, but Jeny's Cakery did a fantastic job! I swear, this was the best taking cake (even a few days after the party!)

We also filled containers of DJ's favorite candies that guests could munch on- snickers, twizzlers, peanut m&m's (in the parties colors), and peanut butter cups. -yummy!-

My husband had a great birthday. I think he was very suprised at the party, and I know he enjoyed seeing old friends, and having all of his family celebrate with him!