Adelaide Is Four!

Was it time already - really?

Yes.  In fact. it was past time to head Up North 

for Jess to color/cut my hair.

A-n-d, Addie turned 4, and was having a family birthday party/barbeque in their new backyard in Highland.

Mindy's family has lived too far away (New York, Denver, Houston) for us to attend birthday parties, 

so now that they live in Utah, 

Grandma and Grandpa were excited to go to one.

And, oh, was this little Miss Adelaide excited!

Addie opened our gift before all of the guests arrived.

She was tickled with her DOTS purse, 

filled with little girl make-up and a little bit of money.

Jeff and Mindy have been working hard to get their front and back yards planted, their fence up, their patio built AND Jeff assembled an amazing playhouse in the backyard.

Grandpa Roger was recruited to hang Mindy's party lights from the back of the house to the new playhouse.

The menu for the BBQ consisted of grilled marinated flank steak . . .

. . . grilled fresh corn salad, grilled fresh pineapple and Lion House rolls (Mindy makes great homemade rolls, but the goal for this menu was to not have to turn on the indoor oven).

All of Jeff's family who were in town were invited -

 Matt and his girlfriend, Susie and her new husband

and, of course, Grandma Rosemary and Grandpa Brent.

Mindy's college friend, Anna, and her little girl, arrived to stay overnight with Mindy,

so they also got to come to the birthday party.

As luck would have it, a big thunderstorm let loose just when we were ready to eat, 

so we ate indoors, but it worked out great.

I absolutely love Jeff's mom, Rosemary, 

and it was great to catch up a little with her.

Addie was the belle of the ball, 

and she flitted from guest to guest, laughing and playing with them.

When it was Present Time, we all gathered around.

Aunt Susie covered up Addie's eyes.

When she opened them, there was a big pink (Addie's favorite color) chair from Mom and Dad.

Now, close them again, tight . . .

(Pugly closed his eyes, too1)

. . . WOW, a new purple bike (Addie's other favorite color)!

SOOOO happy!

And a new crash helmet and a Belle doll from Grandma and Grandpa Lind!

Hey, Charlie, you're lookin' good!

Grandpa Rog takes all of the great pics,

and we can't leave him out, 

so he gets a cuddle from the birthday girl.

We were treated with Cupcake Wars Champion cupcakes from Pleasant Grove - 

Yum!

Time to blow out the candles.

Addie blows . . . 

. . . and blows . . . 

. . . .and blows . . . 

. . . and . . . 

what's that?

Not all out?

I did it!

!

A new purple bike, a pink and purple crash helmet, and a sucker in your mouth - 

- does it get any better than that?

I don't think so!