Happy Birthday Marian!

Marian,  I can remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. I had wanted to be a Mommy for as long as I could remember and the day had finally come! You were so beautiful and sweet. I could watch you for hours as you would lay there looking up at me with your beautiful brown eyes. Now, 8 years later I am still enjoying every minute with you. You are so creative, sweet, compassionate and smart. God has given you a soft heart and I pray that you will follow hard after Him all the days of your life. Thank you for the precious gift you are to all of us.

Here are some pictures of Marian's birthday party with her friends from school. We did a "Little House on the Prairie" party. Marian and her friends love Little House and often play it at school. I thought this would be the perfect year to try it. Thanks to the internet, and things like pinterest I was able to get some great ideas from others! It was a ton of fun and the girls had a blast! We made our own butter, did covered wagon treats and they got to wash clothes with a wash board and hang them on a clothesline. I was so thankful for Grammy and my friend Deanne who helped out. And a big thanks to Jon (who took the pictures....too hard for me to be behind the camera AND host the party) and Grandpa for their help too-- especially the last minute clothesline they put together.

Cinnamon rolls for the birthday breakfast

Marian had her best-friend Kai over for a sleep-over the night before the party.
They have matching "Little House" night dresses that Kai's
Grandma made for them last Fall. How cool is that?!

I was so thankful to have the extra hands when we were making
the covered wagon treats. Picture of the finished result towards the bottom
of the post....almost forgot to take a picture of these! 

Munching on the popcorn

The girls were hilarious with dancing. I found some fiddle music on
Pandora and all on their own they starting dancing. They circled up
and sent one person to the middle at a time to do some dosey-doe.

Shaking up some butter. We used baby food jars and whipping cream.
It was so much fun and actually worked....whew! I was hoping it would turn out. 

Probably the favorite part of the party for all the girls-- hand-washing the clothes.
They LOVED using the wash board and hanging up the clothes.

Marian and Kai all dressed up

Probably my favorite picture from the party.
I think Marian could have totally lived in the 1800's.

Tah-dah! Here are the covered wagons. Jon and I got the wheels
all prepped the night before...don't think we've laughed that hard
together in a long time because they kept falling apart.
Our mantra was "our marriage is more important than these wheels!"
I'm so thankful for such a sweet husband who would stay up late
helping me with my crazy ideas!  

Some decorations =) 

A little dancing with Daddy after the girls left.


We were definitely exhausted, but such a rewarding party.
This was super fun. Macy asked if she could have a Little House party for
her birthday...hmmm....maybe I'll feel up to doing another by next Fall. =)