Goldie is 9!

Goldie has turned 9! She wanted a new cape, and I went all out. She got two. One short, one long, in her new favorite color.

My beautiful girl has been exploring musicals lately and together we watched the 25th anniversary of the Phantom of the Opera.

And so a Phantom cake was on the menu. I declined making a rose. I've never done that and it seems a whole new learning curve.

We decided on a real one and when she heard about these rainbow roses we agreed to get her one. It was spectacularly colorful.

A week before the date we used Ammon's Captain America mask as a base and made a Phantom mask out of fondant. I probably did it too thick because it never did dry out enough. I didn't know what to do and Mike came to my rescue with marshmallows! They are there, you just can't see them. Also, my black fondant was off so he also came up with the broken glass look. I like it.

It was beautiful and delicious on both the inside and the outside.

But it wasn't just about the cake. That is just one of the birthday's adventures. I got to eat lunch with this beautiful young woman. I got to spend time with her and she is a cherished part of our family. Her smile, her love of her brothers, her joy in discovering life is all a part of who she is, who she is becoming. We love you Goldie. We are blessed by you. We are glad we got to spend time with you on your special day.

100 years!

We are thrilled as can be. Today is Pa-Paw Stuart's one-hundredth birthday. Since it was Monday we decided to celebrate for Family Home Evening.

Josiah held his picture as everyone listened to Dad tell us stories about his father's life.

Then we sang Happy Birthday and ate some cake in memory of the man who turned 100 today!

Ammon is Three!

This is a classic pose for Ammon. Telling him to smile brings on this expression.

Everything about this little boy is all about the "A." Captain America, Ammon, Awesome!

He cut out the A's that decorated his cake.

We spray painted his shield cake and even where the color ran it looked "A"mazing.

Our party was A-bsolutely Ammon! It was a great day Ammon. We love you.

Mike is 46!

Happy Birthday to a hardworking, loving, fun, man. Not to mention sexy.

Somehow, his birthday became all about pictures and art, and he loved it. We got him some printed photos of all the people he loves best.

Then, at his request we painted our feet,

or hands as were appropriate, and made art.

As you may recall we did this at our midwife's home, but we liked it so much we decided we had to do it again for our own wall. Mike and his birthday changed our living room and we love it.

Happy Birthday Mike!

Happy 7th Birthday Josiah!

Josiah just turned 7. We had a ton of fun with his cake. He decided on a sword. While Bridger took a nap and we went on a hike to Pipestem, Mike stayed home and iced his cake with icing that was way to stiff. Opps! on my part.

We wanted to make it gold and silver, but had none, so Mike and I had a date to Wal-Mart, thanks to Amber, and discovered spray on food color. It was marvelous and we will definitely be using it again. Josiah even had fun painting.

These are all of the people who came to his party, minus me.

And of course he liked his presents. Who wouldn't when Lego men and Batman are involved?
Josiah we love your fun adventurous spirit, your happy go lucky attitude, and your awesome ability to bring smiles to all of us. You are a great guy. We love you.

Doing it All!

Sandwiched in between my birthday part on the evening of the 11th and Josiah's birthday party on the evening of the 12th, was a day on the mountain with Amber. We were so glad for her visiting us and partying with us. She is the best!

After reaching the top we slid down icy hills, found turkey tracks and enjoyed the icy weather.

Visiting a frosty lake brought back memories of Ammon's birth.

And sunlight makes Goldie even more beautiful. I love being outside with my family. Thanks Amber!

Rishi's turning the big 40

...and that's what birthday's are all about. Frozen Lemon Pie, fuzzy pictures and my family surrounding me. Happy Birthday to me!

Stuart is Five!

Our rambunctious, loving, strong, handsome Stuart just turned five.

Since his birthday was the day after Bridger's we let him get a Dairy Queen cake. We took a brown one with white icing and then added a yellow chocolate Superman symbol. Mike piped on the red S. Then the kids and I made gingerbread men and girls and Stitches and Supermen to surround the cake.

Right before cake and presents we had his favorite food: Stir Fry. Then he had a fun evening of cake and presents. The Lego Men were the biggest hit!

Happy Birthday Stuart! We love ya guy.

Bridger's First Birthday

Bridger just turned one! Our baby is growing up.

He has a favorite blanket that he's borrowed from Josiah. It's full of yellow ducks on blue background. So we chose a duck cake for his first birthday.

I know he loved looking at his birthday presents.

And that duck sure did taste good too!

You are spunky fun little boy. We love you Bridger. Happy Birthday.