kate's 7th birthday

Kate turned 7 this summer! I had been drawn to the hot pink and black color scheme for some kind of a party--so I thought it was perfect for a "Barbie" Party!  Kate really likes barbies (OK and I admit I love barbies as well) so it was a perfect fit! 

I have always loved to make the invitations, but when I came across these at Target I thought they were perfect.

I was so nervous to make the doll cake.  I was inspired and cheered on by my friend Morgan (who is ultra talented).  Mine was not even close to hers I am sure, but like another friend told me--nothing that a little frosting can't cover up! (and a little vintage streamer).  So I think it turned out cute--especially for never making one before. 

Kate loves to pose for the camera--as you can tell.  She also loves to dress up in old prom dresses.  Luckily my mom saved all my old homecoming/prom dresses.  We combined those with some dresses that my mother in law purchased at DI and we had a fashion show/photo booth.  (more pics to come).  Our other activity was a finger nail painting station!  In all shades of pink of course! 

We kept all of the dresses in the front room and labeled it "Barbie's Closet"

It was so fun to have all these girls running around!  She got barbie gifts galore of course!!  So fun!

birthday/fathers day extravagansa weekend

Because I love birthdays so much and think they are so special on their own--I hate when they fall so close to holidays.  Brent's birthday is one of those.  It falls with Fathers day.  So he either feels jipped or he feels extra special for a few days.  This year they were just a couple of days apart.  We kept his birthday simple.  With yummy Cowboy Burgers--(recipe at end of post) and a homemade cake!  (not to throw Brent under the bus, but he saw the cake and said that is really pretty, but I was hoping for a store bought cake--with all the frosting--he's on a diet--so he really wanted to splurge in his birthday--I ran to walmart and got him a cake!)  We enjoyed our cake with our close friends and I think it was a successful birthday!

For fathers day I was hoping for a family bbq in our back yard.  Well with our crazy, unpredictable weather we had to stay inside due to cold and rain.  I don't think anyone minded squeezing inside.  We had steak and chicken which is nothing rare, but we served it already sliced.  It is such a great way to feed such a crowd because everyone can have a little of both with out having a ton of meat.  For dessert we had banana boats--but not just any banana boat.  They were stuffed with marshmallows and rolos and then we served it over vanilla ice cream!  Yum!  We got the rolo idea from a friend.  So much for our out door party--but I think everyone still had a fun time!

favor for the dads--"thanks for being a super dad"

Directions:*Recipe adapted from http://www.picky-palate.com/

I got this recipe from Deals to Meals--great resource for saving on groceries and has great recipes.

I made the burgers a little smaller so we probably got a couple more then she suggests!

The Ultimate Cowboy Burgers

1/2 lb. bacon

1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey

2 T. minced garlic

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1/2 c. shredded cheese plus 1/2 c. for topping burgers

4 hamburger buns

4 T. mayonnaise

1 c. lettuce

4 slices tomato, 1/2 inch thick

4 baked onion rings (optional-can use onion slices)

2-4 T. BBQ sauce

Preheat grill to medium high. Fry bacon in a large skillet over

medium heat until browned and crisped. Drain bacon. Bake or fry

onion rings as packaged directs (optional). In a large bowl combine

the beef, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and cheddar

cheese. Form into 4 patties and grill for 4-5 minutes each side.

During the last few minutes, add additional cheddar cheese to melt on

top of burgers. Place mayonnaise onto both sides of split rolls and

layer lettuce, tomato, burger, onion rings then BBQ sauce on bottom

rolls. Place roll on top and serve! Makes 4 burgers