Pizza Friday

Ben and I have pizza most Friday nights. This week we did pineapple, green olive, pepperoni, onion, cinnamon and almonds. Yum!! Pizza Friday is the best. Oh, and happy 44th wedding anniversary to Mom and Dad!

Kate's Sixth Birthday

We celebrated Kate's sixth birthday tonight with a dinner at Mom and Dad's house! She was about as excited as you would imagine a six-year-old would be on her birthday.



Very, very, very excited!






A wild blur!



Time for presents!






She got some super cute new boots. Fashion show!



Lynn stopped by with a present too, and it turned out to be the favorite of the night! It's a composition book with spaces for drawing AND writing. Plus a fresh box of crayons! She got right to work.



Focused.






Final product! It's so good!



Kate chose spaghetti and meatballs for her birthday dinner, which was a most excellent choice!! Yuuuuuuuuum!



Kate drew this other masterpiece when she was done with her dinner. From left to right, the family members pictured are me, Ben, Mer, Kate, Pete, Grandma and Grandpa.



Time for cake!! Happy birthday to Kate!






Wish time is a very serious time.






Success!



More focus.



So patient!



Score!

Kate's Birthday Treasure Hunt

Kate's sixth birthday is coming up on Monday, and this afternoon was her birthday party! Mer organized a treasure hunt to take place at Stroud's Run state park.



Mer explaining the details of the treasure hunt.



Everyone got their own maps, and each girl got the chance to be the leader on a clue.



Kate and Bella reading their maps.



Pete loves maps and he helped them out a little.



Paying close attention!



Telescopes.



Go time!



And they're off!



Kate got to be the first clue leader, since she's the birthday girl!



The first clue led them over this bridge.



They had to search underneath.



Off to the next clue!



Searching the rock wall for the next clue.



Chester was the only boy in the whole bunch, a brave man!



Listening to the next clue.



Onward!



The next clue led them to this archway of fallen trees.



Glomming onto the clue.



Marching right along.



Another clue!



After all the clues were found, we headed to the grand finale. The treasure was buried at the top of Vista Point! Up, up, up!



Almost there!



We made it! It was revealed that the treasure was buried fifteen large steps into the woods.



The birthday girl got to wield the shovel.



"Dig, Kate, dig!!"



There it is!



Ooooooh!



Look at that fancy treasure chest!



Time to open the chest!



Treasures for everyone!



And a treasure of a view.



Ben got to the top first and told the kids that he was the treasure. Hahaha.



After the treasure hunt, it was time for cupcakes!!



YUM. Chocolate cupcakes with raspberry frosting.



Make a wish!



After cupcakes it was time for presents. Present opening with kids this age is like nothing I've ever seen. They cram together into the tightest little clump!!



Directing which present should be opened next!



Doll clothes! A little cowgirl outfit!



Yay, presents!



Happy birthday, Kate!!