After the party.......

Well, the girls birthday weekend has finally come to an end.  Days and weeks of preparation came together almost flawlessly.  It's hard to believe that they are actually 8 years old.  I used to think that we wouldn't make it past 2 or 3........  We have had so many good times, and so many tough times.   It's seems like we've had them forever on one hand, and on the other it was like yesterday that they came into our lives. 

The one thing I know for certain is that our girls have a very special mission here on earth.  I'm not sure why we were so honored to become their parents.  They have talents beyond my wildest dreams, and the ability to accomplish things one child alone could never do.  So far, they have used their unique abilities to bless the lives of nearly everyone around them, but most of all, ME!  

On monday evening, Dave said, "you've got to come and see this!"  I was so tired and didn't want to get up, but I did.  From our front porch, he took these pictures.  It was a blessing to end the weekend with such a beautiful gift from our Father in Heaven.

BFF Birthday

Deciding on the theme for the girls party was difficult this year.  They are all getting their own likes and dislikes and sometimes common ground is rare.  We eventually settled in on a BFF scrap booking theme, but only after I threatened to not have a party at all if they couldn't agree on something. 

I had each friend they were inviting send me some pictures and I designed a page just for them.  We set up tables in the living room and layed out all the pages with their pre-cut titles and borders.  When the girls arrived, they made page in their own book for each of their friends.  We bound them together at the end of the party.  I'll admit, it was a little ambitious for a group of 8 year olds, but they had a great time and you can safely say that each one of their books is unique. 

We sang Happy Birthday three times, one for each of them.  I only realized after we were done that KC had only taken pictures of the flames on the candles.  While they were really cool pictures, we sang ONE more time so I could get a shot of the girls "blowing" out the candles.  I was so excited to cut the cake and it stayed perfectly moist!  White cake with butter cream and raspberry filling.  The kids each wanted a "rose" and there were plenty to go around. 

 

Opening up presents is always fun, but a CRAZY segment of any friend party.  This year, they did a pretty good job of not letting it get out of hand.  They girls got lots of crafty things which will come in handy on a January snow day.   The other thing they just love is jewelry.  We will have to come up with a new place to keep all of the necklaces they have now. 

 

Aunt Kristin came that day to help out, as well as Grandma Barb.  We couldn't have done it without them.  Towards the end of the party, Matisyn decided to get some extra sunshine and Uncle David managed to snap this picture before she moved.