HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!

Today is the big 29 for Lara. She has been counting down the days for at least the last month, and has let us all know her birthday wishes (anything country, makeup, dinner etc). Mom and dad took her to her favorite restaurant Garcias, where she had the pleasure of wearing a sombrero - which actually made her quite happy! They both had trips out of town, so they celebrated a couple of days early. The kids and I came up to Idaho to help her while they are gone and surprised her with a great rendition of the "happy birthday song", first thing this morning. I don't think she was that impressed, so we will have to do something else later in the day.

Tyson presented her with a balloon - which she absolutely loved!

Then, we made her a brownie cake, at her request. We only had 24 candles....... but it's all the same, right?



She made a wish.... and blew them out. If I had to guess what it was...... I would say it had something to do with movie stars or romance:)
PERFECT DAY FOR THE PERFECT SISTER

THE "FRUITS" OF LARA'S LABOR

While staying at my parents house this last weekend, Lara kept asking everyday to make blueberry muffins. She has never made them before, but is starting to venture into the oven baking world...... away from the microwave. This makes us all a bit nervous. So we thought to ourselves "If Lara tries to make these all by herself, and we don't help her, then they won't turn out and she won't be interested in trying again. So, we watched as she added all the ingredients, reading instructions word by word as she gathered everything that was needed. She even asked my mom for baking cups. The only thing that we did, was turn the oven on. She knew when it was ready and proceeded to place the muffin tin with 6 perfectly filled cups in the hot oven. When they came out a couple of minutes later..... they actually looked okay. They were a little brown on top, but other than that they looked like something that I would cook up. She even labeled a baggie with her name on them, so that there was no mistaking her precious muffins for anyone elses. When it came time for the taste test, her nephew Tyson happily volunteered. He loves blueberry muffins. The verdict was in...................... "um... mom, these are kind of gross". He then gobbled up the rest of it. So, we had to taste one to find out for ourselves. They were actually not bad. Definitely not great. Not really good. But, not really that bad either. She was very proud of herself and we are wondering what she will want to make next. This is going to be interesting.