La Tosha talked about Kristin’s 14th birthday party in her post of 9/16. As I remember, that party was a swimming party held at Kristin’s home. Does anyone have pictures from that day? I was there, but unfortunately I didn’t have my video camera with me.
As Kristin’s birthday draws near, I think about all of her birthday parties of years past. They were always such huge celebrations.
When Kristin was a baby girl, I remember her all dressed up in a gorgeous little party dress, sitting in her high chair at John, Taryn and Kristin’s first home, surrounded by family and friends. She was so excited opening presents and she loved everything she got, whether it be toys, stuffed animals, clothes or whatever.
I also remember a birthday party/picnic that was held at Mehl Park. There had to be like 50 people there! I have quite a few snapshots from that party. I don’t remember how old she turned that year, but I’m guessing she was early elementary school age. I recall a huge pinata, kids in swimsuits, water balloon fights, and lots of food.
Then there was the year, I think maybe 5th or 6th grade, when she had a swim party at the community pool of their patio home near Skyline. Again, there were lots of kids there and I remember that Taryn rented a cotton candy machine and we made a sticky mess. That was a lot of fun too.
Oneof my fondest birthday memories was a party that Taryn threw at a local hotel. She rented a suite for the night, and a bunch of girls had a slumber and swim party. Again, Taryn brought tons of snacks, drinks, dinner, and an immense birthday cake. What stands out in my mind at that party was something hilarious that the girls did. Kristin and several of her talented K.U. friends were hiding in a large armoire in the hotel room, so Taryn and I got out the video camera. These girls were stuffed inside this piece of furniture with the doors pulled closed, and they were singing beautifully! Taryn and I snuck up, threw open the doors, and took home movies of their reactions. It was priceless! Taryn, we’d better look at that video again; we might need to send it in to America’s Funniest Videos.
I am so sad that Kristin didn’t have many more birthday parties, but I can honestly say that her mother made each and every one of them an extraordinary celebration. Taryn didn’t just invite a few kids, there were dozens of Kristin’s friends there. And she didn’t just serve cake, it was always a huge, delicious, artistic masterpiece. Taryn also put together creative and thoughtful gift bags for the friends who attended, like crayons and color books or bubbles when the kids were young, and nail polishes and lotions when they got to be young ladies.
I would love to hear from Kristin’s friends as to what they remember about Kristin’s parties. Try to be specific as to what year it was or what grade you guys were in. I know you can fill in a lot more detail than I can, and probably clear up some things that are vague to me. It would be nice to relive those memories through your writings.
Also, I ask that each of you please keep Taryn in your thoughts and prayers as October 1st draws near. It’s going to be a very tough time for her, for Amber and Cheyenne, and for all of us who were blessed to know and love Kristin.
KKSmith.net 