Happy 12!

Yesterday we celebrated the 12th birthday of our second daughter.

Kalli was 2.5 weeks late and began her life by keeping us up all night. 

She was born in the wee hours of the morning amid the smell of smoke. Wild fires were very bad that year. It was hot and dry and the smell of smoke was drifting through the entire hospital ventilation system.

The first thing her daddy said, was "Oh, baby! She's got a head full of dark hair!"

The first thing Kalli said, was "WAA!" We still remember keenly our first glimpse of her revealed her mouth torn wide open. The occasion she has closed it since that day, has been rare. Smile.

The doctor kept saying how big she was and when we weighed her, it was true....8pounds, 10ounces and 22 inches long. Definitely a big baby for little momma. (Although there would be bigger yet to come.)

She was certainly roley poley AND daddy's little fatty.

She's lost ALL that babyfat now, but none of the height. Kalli is a tall, beautiful, sweet girl who loves Jesus first of all and is furiously loyal to her family.

Kalli likes butterflies, peacocks, St Bernards, and wants to own a bakery when she grows up. She also likes playing piano and plans to call her bakery "Baketoven" and have lots of live music. That idea is patented, so don't even try! Wink.

Kalli chose a baking theme for her birthday party. 

In addition to decorating their own cupcakes for the party, each guest went home with an extra cupcake in a special bakery box.

Cupcakes were vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate flavored with optional raspberry filling.

Dinner was served before decorating and was Kalli's choice of BBQ Meatballs, Jalapeño Popper Penne Pasta, Pea Salad (which even the pea haters in our family love), and fresh cut green bell peppers. What can I say? Our kids know how to eat!

We made streamers with yarn and leftover cupake wrappers.

Keep Calm and Bake a Cupcake! 

We played one game of guess. The girls had to guess by feel only, what 5 baking items were in a paper bag.

Kalli had a few of her special friends in to help her celebrate. 

My kitchen is always full of giggling girls, but last night it was even "fuller." 

They had a great time and were quite creative.

It was a bit of a mess, but it was a fun mess--and a yummy one!

We love celebrating our children! Life is so precious and they are such a gift. 

I hope they see that they mean the world to us and seeing that, will know they are worth everything to God!