{08feb2010: danes danes and more danes}

For Darwin's birthday we (I) wanted to do something big.  Jason said it was like a Hawaii first birthday and not a mainland first birthday.*  I couldn't help it I was so excited!  I bugged Tom, Darwin's breeder, for contact info for people who bought one of the puppies so I could plan a reunion/birthday party.  I already knew Kristie, and she was on board from the beginning so it was just a matter of getting in touch with as many other parents as possible.  Out of 16 other siblings, I managed to contact 10 owners (11 since Kristie now counts for two pups) and we've been able to start an email group with about 8 of them.  
We planned the birthday/reunion for their birthday, February 7.  I baked a doggie cake** and some cookies for Darwin's non-sibling friends that were coming.  

One of Darwin's brothers, Arthur, mom made blue and pink ribbon name tags for each of the siblings and parents.  
We met up around 10 at Marymoor and it was so fun to see how big some of the puppies had gotten.
{Darwin and Porkchop hit it off from the start}

Darwin's blog buddy Remi even came out for the party!  It was great to finally meet him!

{one of these things just doesn't belong here, one of these things just isn't the same}

Before we headed into the off-leash area we had some cake first.  Boo LOVED the cake.

Actually, Remi did too.  

I think he actually tried to take two pieces if I remember correctly!  hehehe
After cake eating we headed into the park to play.  

Darwin's bff Juneau even made it out.  I think Remi had a crush on Juneau, cause he kept chasing after her where ever she went!  

In all the chaos of all the dogs Darwin didn't actually get much play time with Remi so we'll have to plan on another playdate for the two of them.
With so many males, many of them unfixed, there was a lot of testosterone and "almost fights" between the boys.  Other than that the reunion was a hit!
We managed to get a picture of the most of the family together before everyone took off.
{Butch, Arthur, Porkchop, mom Misty, dad Atlas, Sydney, Bella, and Darwin (missing:  Boo Radley and Kona)}

After the park Darwin was filthy!  We got her home and gave her a birthday bath and then she got some treats.

Inspired by a post from Max's mom we even got a family picture.

After a full day Darwin was pooped!  Check out the new collar she got from her brothers Boo and Kona:

I'm hoping with this pretty pink blinged out collar people will stop thinking she's a boy and will realize she's a girl!  

I think Darwin had a great first birthday!  Thanks to everyone who sent her a birthday wish! 



If you want to see more pictures, I've got some on my flickr page.
We also managed to get some videos:
here's 1
here's 2
here's 3
here's 4




*First birthday celebrations in Hawaii are BIG events.  Jason couldn't understand when I went home for my nephew's party, until he saw pictures of a big rented rec center, balloon artists, a magician, temporary tattoo artists, food, drinks and tons of people. 
** Recipe to come in another post.