14

Well, it was bound to happen. My oldest is now 14 and with that age comes the ability to attend stake dances at our church. I'm not sure I am ready for that! MJ shares a birthday with our Anniversary, so we take turns each year celebrating on the date. This year the Father and Son campout happened to be the same weekend she wanted to have a party which meant that her brothers would be nowhere in sight for the party. This also meant that Nate would be gone camping on our anniversary. :( No worries, we are celebrating in a couple of weeks in California. The largest picture is MJ showing her gratitude for me letting her open her presents on her birthday eve because the family wouldn't be together on her birthday. She also really loved what she got.

MJ has had lots of swim parties simply because it is the start of warm weather and she loves swimming. This year she wanted to add a movie theme since we have done all things Aloha before. The movie theme was perfect for this year because her birthday fell on Friday the 13th, so a scary movie was definitely in order. I surprised her with some fun movie decorations while she was at school and made her a cake of her favorite things. Angel food cake, Nutella, strawberries, whip cream and chocolate covered strawberries. It didn't look all that professional and great, but it was a hit and all the girls loved it. For some they even had their first experience with the joyful substance, Nutella.

Even little Sis was feeling a part of the action. She just loves all things that big girls are interested in and really wanted to make Mj's birthday awesome. She put the candles in the cake and helped me get ready and even got to do some swimming with the girls for awhile before she had to come inside. She also insisted on staying up really late so she could be a part of the cake and presents which didn't happen until after 10 pm. While the big girls got to have some private time away from the spying eyes and ears of a little sister, Jordy and I watched a movie that had come out that very day. It is a movie that most little girls love, love, love and usually a "fever" is used to describe the feelings that this singer gives these girls. About halfway through the movie Jordy turned to me and said, "Mom, he's not afraid of anything." So cute that that was the take home message for my 6 year old.

I would say that this birthday was a success and fun was had by all. My daughter has a group of friends that are really good girls who are a joy to be around. What an incredible journey we are on and I feel so honored and blessed that Emma is in our family and that she is my daughter. <3