12th Birthday

The little one will celebrate twice this year, once with family on her real birthday and another with friends in January.  Of course, we had to put the decorations up a month before.

Her friends surprised her at school by wrapping her locker.

She wanted Outback for dinner, their kids mac & cheese is the best!

Then headed home for cake and celebrations.  She requested a pumpkin cake with vanilla cream cheese icing, and decorated with a pineapple and teal blue trim.  Where does she come up with this stuff?  I can't order that, so I have to make it.

Eric filled her pinata with lots of chocolaty goodness.  She busted the heck out of it and candy went everywhere! 

Enjoy your last year before you're a teenager, my sweet girl!

2nd Chair

Her winter violin concert was pretty enjoyable.  They started with the 6th grade class and worked their way up the grades to some really nice high school pieces.  So proud of our little one for getting 2nd chair!

Snow Storm

Our winter snow came on Dec. 9th bringing about 3-4", just enough to play!  

The little one immediately dressed in her gear to head out.  Every ten minutes, she'd come back in asking when I was coming out to help her build an igloo.  I finally gave in and bundled up myself.

When Ashlyn finished studying, she decided to go out, too, and build a snowman!  

It was fun watching her struggle with the heavy snow balls.

But she finally finished!  Add a USC scarf and some grapes, then it's complete.

The little one kept waiting for someone to join her sledding down the back hill.  Eventually, she gave up and took a quick nap.  She came inside to warm up about 10 min later.