Nancy and I hosted our second big BBQ on July 7, 2002.  You can see pictures from our first BBQ here.  You can compare the changes that two years have brought to our back yard.

This was Madeleine's first big outdoor event at home.  She was very happy to see everybody.  The long, warm day tired her out though, and she crashed long before the last people left.

Our first guests, Nicole Silva and her fiancée Woody.

Last time we had a BBQ our backyard had a lot more shade.  This time we provided some temporary shade.  Two large pavilions for the adults, and a small one on the grass for kids.  You can just see Madeleine on the grass.

John cooking up the Usinger's bratwurst, straight from Wisconsin.

Leslie and Geoff Spaeth, facing the camera, and the backs of Nick Chinn and Paula.  At the last BBQ, Geoff was just introducing Leslie to us.  Now they are husband and wife.

Marcy and her daughter Haley and Jim and his daughter Kylie on the lawn.

Courtney, Nancy, Madeleine, Marcy, Haley, Adiranne, Jim, and Kylie all in the shade on the lawn.

Paula, Nick Chinn, Carlos Chavez, and the back of Kristina Chavez's head.

Madeleine, dressed up for the BBQ in her watermelon outfit, playing in her saucer on the grass.

Later, Madeleine was out of the saucer.  The sandals look nice, but they come off easily and become toys.

Caitlin Matts came over to play with Madeleine.

Daniel Matts, Caitlin's younger brother, was also at the party, showing off his new upright mobility. (He recently started walking on his own.)

Daniel, Madeleine, Caitlin, and Paula in the kid's pavilion.

All of this activity wore Madeleine out.

Nick, Kristina, and Carlos.

Brigitte, Nancy's mother, having a beer.  I had never seen her drink a beer up to this point.  Of course, she is German and all...

My brother David, Brigitte, and Todd, Nancy's brother, playing Scrabble at the end of the BBQ.  A game of Scrabble is something of a tradition for us around the holiday season, but it has become a backyard affair as well now I guess.