Marguerite's 40th birthday!!!!

It's Marguerite's birthday today and it's a bigger deal than usual.  Today she was 40 years young!!!

Here Marguerite and Ben get the celebrations started with a little gig before school and work!

From middle of May until into early June was all about Marguerite's big celebration.  Here she is with her school friends (all of whom have or are hitting the 40 mark this year) on a day out in Belfast.















And on that same night Marguerite bumped into Jude and her old friend Amanda.  Amanda went to Queen's University and shared many classes with both Jude and Margueriteand she was always great craic to be around.

On 22nd May Ben was up nice and early and getting everything ready.  Here he is writing Marguerite's birthday card.

The scene was set the night before as Jude stayed up late to stick up all the banners.













When Marguerite came down to the kitchen she had some presents to open.  At this stage on birthdays Ben is the most excited person ....... even if it is not his birthday ........... he just loves all the drama of a celebration.

As every present was opened he would discuss the gift and say how lovely it was and how it suited Marguerite perfectly.  You see Ben and Jude had spent the previous Saturday dandering around Belfast trying to pick birthday gifts for Marguerite.  They did a pretty good job mind ...... as you can see with this lovely t-shirt.

'Quick Mum ..... open this one next', said Ben.














'Look Mum it's a lovely dress Jude and I picked for you', said Ben as Marguerite started to buckle over laughing.













'It suits you perfect Mum', rambled Ben.














'What do you think Mum?   

Marguerite's reaction to her lovely new gift got Ben laughing too ......













........ and he started his own little dance routine with it.














Marguerite couldn't wait to set the dress aside and get into her other gifts.













This time it's a cool new jumper.















Ben is still having a giggle when Marguerite is opening her card .........













 
....... before explaining his little piece of art which he drew inside.   

And before Marguerite went to work today there was just about time for two more things:











1.  Marguerite tried on the nice new dress she got and did a little jig (spot Ben doubled over laughing ......... though it is not clear if he was laughing at the dance or the dress) ....... and .....












2. Ben did a little tune on his guitar to celbrate Marguerite's birthday.













And then Ben was off to school.















After work and School it was time for the family tradition of cake and tea on anyone's birthday.


Here is Ben presenting Marguerite with her cake.

Michael, Rebecca, Dee, Ben, Adam and Marguerite all having a laugh .....













...... before Ben, Adam and Marguerite blow out the candles.

Marguerite, Kevin, Emma and Michael catching up on Marguerite's birthday.














Marguerite and Kevin sharing a laugh. 

Ben and Adam are quiet for once!!!















Rebecca loves her jumper so much she is eating it!













Marguerite's main party was held on the Saturday immediately after her birthday which was 26th.  Here is Dee up at the house the day before testing out some visual entertainment.

The next day and everyone arrived up nice and early.  Here Michael, Emma and Aisling catch up.












Starting to fill up!!














Phyllis popped over for a couple of hours and as always the craic was great.














Meanwhile ......... (back at the ranch) Fra and Leah are chatting to the cows!













Having fun at the party are:Marguerite, Ben and Jude.













Michael and Emma having fun.
















The party is in full flow at this stage and you can just about spot Emma coming out the house there with Marguerite's cake.

'Haaaappy birthday to you.......















...... haaaappy birthday to you ........















....... haaaaappy birthday dear Marguerite and Kevin ........













...... happy birthday to you'.

Kevin's birthday is 2 days prior to Marguerite's and so he always gets to have a joint party and cake.

No matter how old they get they still love cake!









Folk can't wait to get tucked in. 

Making it's party debut tonight is the cool new fire.  It is actually the inside barrel of a washing machine which you just fill with stuff and burn.  It's class!!! 

This is what Dee had been testing the night before and as you can see here it worked a treat.  Blasting out an open air concert tonight were the Rolling Stones live from Glastonbury.

















Front row VIP seats for Kevin and Rebecca.
















As everyone made there way home at various stages of the night it was Kevin and Jude who sat here until well past 1am burning wood, supping beer and talking nonsense ........ you could say it was the perfe
ct night.

The day after a bbq always sees some food left over and so next day Marguerite, Ben and Jude polished off the leftovers on what was a beautiful day.

Little did we know at the time but Marguerite's birthday coincided with the start of what was one of the best summers for weather in living memory, certainly the best in over 30 years.  This was the end of May and this weather continued right through non-stop until the start of August.

Happy birthday Marguerite.