Lia's 9th Birthday

Although Lia's birthday isn't until the 22nd, we decided to celebrate her family birthday party on the evening of the 20th since we will be staying at the Great Wolf Lodge until the evening of her actual birthday.  This was a win-win for Lia as it meant that she got to open her presents two days earlier than normal AND she got to spend her entire birthday at an indoor water park.
We invited my parents down to Puyallup to join us for a nice, peaceful evening tonight.  This is always such a welcomed change of pace for me after her extremely large and over-the-top friend parties.  Lia requested her favorite breakfast-for-dinner meal that we ate in the dining room on the fine china.  After wards, she opened gifts before blowing out the candles on a homemade strawberry shortcake.  She got some wonderful gifts that she will hopefully enjoy wearing or playing with for many, many months to come!  We ended off the evening with Lia, Logan, and Ella opening up a group gift that I had hiding in the office--a family trip to Mexico for Spring Break!  The kids were so excited and we can't wait to go and have some serious fun in the sun, sand, and water in less than two months!

The family sitting around the dining room table before enjoying a dinner of cinnamon rolls, egg casserole, bacon, and sparkling cider.

Lia opening up her gift from grandma and grandpa--a new outfit and an American Girl Doll backpack set.

Lia showing off her new locket necklace that she got from us complete with tiny pictures of Ron and me inside.

Lia showing her adorable, stuffed sloth from Aunt Austin and Uncle Robbie that goes with her American Girl Lea Clark collection.

Lia has wanted a fairy door to put in her room for quite some time and was super excited to finally get one.

Lia opening up the big gift from mama and papa--a beautiful, American Girl grand piano that actually plays music!

The group gift that I brought out of the office at the very end consisted of three presents--a large, medium, and small one.  Each of the kids got to open one.  Here is Lia opening the large one...

that had two sombreros inside it.  

Logan opened up the medium sized present and found two maracas inside.  Here he is examining them with a semi confused look on his face.

Ella opened the last and smallest present that contained their brand new passports and a sign that said, "Pack your bags!  You are going to Mexico!"  You can see the reaction on Lia's face after reading the sign!

The three kids wearing the sombreros while holding the maracas and passports after the initial screaming and yelling had stopped.  I just love how Logan is holding the sign in his mouth in this picture

One more picture of the kids in the same pose with Logan doing a crazy dance.

After all of the gift opening, we came back to the dining room to sing "Happy Birthday" to Lia.  Here is my big, almost 9-year old girl getting ready to blow out the candles.  I simply cannot believe how fast these nine years have gone.  I seriously start to panic when I think about Lia being half way to 18 years old and high school graduation.  I don't know what I am going to do without her when she goes off to college one day!  Thank heavens I still have nine more years before that happens.

Lia making a wish and blowing out her candles!

Love you tons, Lia!!