Happy Birthday Annie!

My baby is one today! I can't believe that one year ago today I was at the hospital having surgery two weeks before Christmas. My goodness, I feel great! I have a lot more energy this Christmas, and we are back in the traditions game at our house. We're reading Christmas scriptures, doing the advent calendar, and baking up stuff. We even have a new tradition-it's Anne's birthday party...Right in the middle of all the other hoop-la.

Anne loved the cake. She can really pack it away if she likes what's on the menu, and let's just say she likes sugar. Here she is taking a first little taste:

It didn't take her long to figure out this was something oh-so-yummy:

I don't think it's all going to fit, Anne. You've got to pace yourself.And then the sugar high hit: She really demolished that cake. Then Dad took her off to the tub,

and we ate some grown-up food. I made some homemade ice cream with blackberry balsamic sauce that was pretty tasty... I didn't need a shovel or anything like Anne, but it was good.
After Anne got cleaned up, she hopped on her new car, and then headed upstairs for a nap. It was a great day.

We'd also like to say thanks to all the grandparents who made this day possible.

Bryn's Bridal Shower

My Cousin Bryn is getting married next month, and I catered the food for her bridal shower at my Mom's house. We had:

• Salmon salad
• Yogurt parfait
• Mini Quiche
• Maple Walnuts
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Orange Juice

I was in gourmet heaven grilling 6lbs. of salmon for the salad. It was the best salmon I've had in a few years- Costco never lets me down, and there was salmon leftover for days. I ate it all myself...

This is me with my grandmother and her twin sister. They are going to be 80 next year!

I had a lot of fun doing the shower--Thanks Bryn, and good luck!