when ashton turned 5

the cake turned out okay. phew.

the ocean/sand combo for ariel worked out great.

graham cracker sandy shores and whirling blue frosting waves covered a multitude of cracks in our broken cake.

she thought it was beautiful.

and that's all that matters.

adding the characters on party morning. 

admiring her cake

there's no one quite like our ashy girl. 

such a beautiful sweet and spicy spirit in her. 

she wanted her sister by her side before we started singing.

it was so fun to watch her open her presents. 

huge, shining eyes, a giant smile and she would just stare at me for a minute, like "mom, can you believe they actually got me this?" and then i'd interrupt her trance and say "well, go give them a hug and say thank you!" and off she went to tackle the gift giver.

so fun. 

our youngest party guest. 

we quickly did cake and presents and then took our little mermaid to the y to swim! 

it was so fun to get everyone dried off and in warm clothes and then pick up some pizza and go home and watch frozen.  such a fun night for our little family.

monday was her actual birthday and she woke up to her birthday balloon and donut! 

we played with new toys at the house and then went to whit's end.

as soon as i pulled into the parking lot i knew we'd made a mistake! spring break!!! it was INSANE in there.  i had kind of a panicky feeling the whole time. yuck.

but i DID get to see an old high school friend! it was so fun seeing you bria! :)

we took the bday girl to get her free red robin food.  she heard them singing to someone else and asked if we could tell them to sing to her quietly.  

sweet girl.

after red robin, garrett and elaina let the birthday girl watch frozen on their big screen and gave the kids glow in the dark balloons.  

those were fun!

happy 5th birthday precious ashton kate. our "pure tree".

may you find your sure footing in the law of the Lord and may He keep you planted firmly by His living water, so that you may be flooded with LIFE and HOPE and PEACE and JOY.

psalm 1:2-3
Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
    you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
    bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
    always in blossom.