Eight Years Old!

Our darling baby girl is turning eight years old!!! November 10, 2002, after only 53 hours of  back labor, there she was! I will never forget the moment she was handed to me and looked straight onto my eyes as if to say, "There you are!!".  I was instantly in love. We are so blessed by you Seleia Vaughn! Happy Birthday!

Birthday Dinner

For dinner on my birthday, we headed to Vancouver Pizza Co., where the service is great and the pizza is fantastic (and gluten free!).  It was "First Friday" in downtown Vancouver, so artists, artisans, and musicians were everywhere.  The people watching was half of the fun as we played games while waiting for our food.  There was a group of people at a table near us speaking in ASL, so the girls had fun trying to figure out what they were saying as well as showing off what they knew themselves.  I couldn't have asked for a better birthday treat than being surrounded by my amazing family on a lovely summer evening.  Life is good!

Scrumdiddlyumptious!

I love my husband.  He was determined both that I (not being able to eat gluten) got a birthday cake and that under NO circumstances was I to bake it for myself.  Never having baked a cake from scratch before, he was admittedly the slightest bit nervous, but it turned out BEAUTIFULLY.  The delicious gluten free chocolate cake was even better when smothered with delicious peanut butter frosting (recipe below)!  Happy Birthday to Me!!

Peanut Butter Frosting:

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3 oz neufchatel cheese (or regular cream cheese)
2 T butter
1 t vanilla
2 3/4 c sifted powdered sugar
2-3 T half and half

Mix all ingredients together on medium-high until just blended. (Over-mixing will thin frosting.)  Add 1-2 more T half and half  if needed until desired consistency is reached. 
Try to avoid eating it all with a spoon before you put it on a cake.
This recipe is for a 1 layer cake.  Multiply as needed!

Elora's Birthday Parties

For Elora's 6th birthday, we had a bbq....in the rain.  The daddies grilled hot dogs under the ez-up while the festivities took place mainly in the garage.  The main hit, of course, was the pinata, but the air hockey table and doll house were quite popular as well.  Smiles and silliness were everywhere!  Later in the week, Auntie Janelle, Uncle Phil and Uncle Jesse came over, bringing all the fixin's for an ice cream parfait extravaganza.  Wish you could have all been there!!

Happy Birthday To Miah!!

Today is my baby sister's birthday!  FOURTEEN!!  I can hardly believe it!  Marriah, you are such a joy and a light in this world to everyone you meet! We love you, miss you, and hope you have the best day ever!!