Kat's Early Birthday

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who wrote a guest post for me during the past week or so.  I truly appreciate your generosity and can't wait to try those recipes!  I plan to get back to regular or at least semi-regular posts starting...well...with this post.

We're heading out for our trip to Colorado later today, but I wanted to share some of the pics from Kat's early birthday gathering last evening.  Kat's actual birthday (July 4th!) will happen while we're gone, but so that her mom and step-dad could celebrate with us, we decided to have a small gathering a few days early.  I suspect there will be another small celebration for her on the 4th...at the very least, we'll arrange for a few fireworks.

First the food...

Salad bar.

Spicy, tangy potatoes (recipe soon).

Plate full of yummy things.

Cherry-chocolate malt cupcakes (recipe soon).

Then the family...

Kat with her mom, Jean, and step-dad, M.

Finally, the fun...

New PJs for the trip.

Tangled!

Lego Star Wars book she's been wanting for months.

Pillow Pet that Santa forgot to bring at Christmas.

Plus a bonus!  Kat wrote a fan letter to Darth Vader a few weeks ago and here's what she received by way of reply...

Opening the mail.

Stickers, tattoos, trading cards, pin, and a mini-DVD.  Also a very nice letter from LucasFilms that was personalized enough that we know for sure they took time to actually read her fan letter.