My 8-year Old!

Saturday was Anna Grace's 8th birthday and it was so much fun watching her enjoy her day. She just loved being the center of attention.

She'd been looking forward to it and counting down to it for weeks and on Saturday it was finally here!

One of our birthday traditions has become letting the birthday kiddo pick the food for the day. Anna Grace wanted coffee cake for breakfast (the same one we have Christmas morning) and...get this...Chicken Marsala for dinner!

What 8-year-old loves Chicken Marsala?!

Well, she does! She loves the mushrooms in it...and she & I eat them all. We're the only mushroom-lovers in the family.

Then for her birthday dessert she wanted something we call 4-Layer Dessert. A wonderful layered yumminess of nutty-crust, cream cheese, pudding, and cool whip. Divine!



Her special day was filled with all of her favorite activities...reading (she loves reading), swimming, games, Wii...and big brother Aaron! And presents, of course!

But only after she thoroughly reads the cards. Hallmark was made for this girl. Never seen anyone like her who pores over every word, smiles with glee as she reads the words written just for her...and then saves it for months! So she can reread them again and again. (Okay, so maybe I'm a tad like that...but only a tad, honestly! She's got the full-blown version.)

This card contained her most desired gift...


EAR PIERCING!

Emma got her ears pierced when she was 8 and that was what she wanted to give Anna Grace.

Some presents require a little extra effort...


...while this one just hit the spot. Toy horses for my horse loving girl!



Another birthday present? Her first horseback ride in a few weeks.
Don't worry...there will be pictures!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA GRACE!
WE LOVE YOU and are SOOOOOOOOOO
THANKFUL GOD PUT YOU IN OUR FAMILY!!

In Him,