Elizabeth turns 8!

 I can't believe our beautiful girl is 8!  She's so sweet, smart, and such a kind-hearted girl.  She's always willing to help someone out, we love our Elizabeth so much!

She woke up on her 8th birthday to open a couple of presents. 

 That day I brought up a cookie cake for Elizabeth to share with her class. 

 I love her little nervous body language up there  :)  - she's so cute!

 That evening we had our family over to dinner and Elizabeth was thrilled to get Addy for her gift from Grandma B.  (It was mine when I was younger)

 All the cousins - Campbell wasn't too happy about getting his picture taken :)

 Elizabeth's party day with her friends! 

 Elizabeth wanted to have an American Girl party so we invited all the girls with their dolls. 

 In the kitchen the girls were making food for their dolls. 

 My mom got an 8 sparkler for the candle - it was so fun!

 We had a little table set up in the library for all of the dolls. 

 The girls got started making their dolls their meals. 

 Funny that the dog snuck in the picture :)

 They made donuts, cookies, and ice cream cones using cheerios, mini vanilla wafers, and bugles with frosting and sprinkles.

 Each girl got a menu where they could check off what they wanted for lunch - Elizabeth's Grandma B, Great Grandma B, and Auntie Sue all helped serve the food.  Auntie Jessica was our photographer.  I think the girls all liked it that they got to order their food just like a restaurant. 

 The girls were all making their choices. 

 While the girls waited for their food we did table talker questions - just like at the American Girl bistro. 

 That's about as close as Elizabeth would get to the sparkler. 

 All the girls

 After the girls were all done eating their lunch we did a few activities that we didn't get pictures of.  The girls made necklaces for themselves and their dolls, we played American Girl bingo and a fun game called "Don't Eat the American Girl" (sounds weird but so much fun) and the girls each made a tulle skirt for their doll.  We were running out of time so Elizabeth quickly opened her gifts. 

 

Elizabeth with all of her guests -  

 Emma B

 Emma R

 Anna

 Courtni

 Kambria

 Loren

 Darlena

 Lara

 Marissa, Alexis

 Bridget

It was a fabulous birthday week and I think Elizabeth had a great time!

Jessica's Shower

 A few months ago my mom and I hosted a shower for Jessica to welcome home Claire.  We did it at my mom's house and had a Chinese red and gold theme.  Elizabeth was so excited to come to the shower. 

 My mom set a beautiful table. 

 Each guest got a bundt cake with a cute fortune cookie on top.

 Here is the other table where Jessica and some of her friends sat. 

 These are the favor I made - cookies of China.  I wish I had taken pictures of all the fabulous food and guests.  My dad was the chef and got all of our Chinese food ready.  It was so good!  Everyone had a really great time.   

 Next up was Tom's birthday.  The kids thought it was so cool that Tom could put his hand through fire :)

 34 years!

 A few days later we had family come visit from Minnesota - Sharon, Jim, and JJ. 

 We had to take our first dip in the hot tub. 

 Elizabeth and Tom also went to their first daddy daughter dance that the church right by us was hosting. 

 Elizabeth had such a fun time doing something special with Tom. 

She even got her own corsage!

Last but not least Ben's class had a fun egg hunt in March searching for sight words.  Man it took a long time to find every sight word for every child!  At least it kept them engaged for a while!

That was February and some of March.  Hopefully I can catch up soon!