Ashley turns 10!

Like all 10th birthdays should be (and every other year for that matter), we managed to spread the celebration out over a week.  For her party, she chose to take a couple of friends to go get pedicures. This was her first official in-the-spa pedicure.  She LOVED it!

 

They then came back for pizza and cupcakes.  We did her family dinner the day before her birthday.  She chose to go to Chevy's.  I love that place.  The kids were very amped up for some reason. (like they need a reason)  They sang to Ashley so she got to bring home a sombrero.  They got ice cream sundaes with their meal.  They got to eat raw tortilla dough.  These could have been contributing factors.  All I asked was for a nice birthday picture when we got home.

 

Jonathan looks like the only compliant one, but he is actually pulling Ashley's hair, so they are all equally guilty.

 

On Ashley's birthday, we continued our tradition of making donuts.  Don't let me do this again.  Not only for the sake of sugar consumption, but time as well.  This is truly an ALL DAY project.  I know I said this last year as well, but now I really believe it.  I am happy to report though that I finally got the dough to RISE!!!!!!!!!!  I followed a recipe that was supposed to be like KKD, and they were very good.  Not KKD, but good.  Here is my dough rising!  I was so excited it was expanding I hated to stop it.

 

 

Here are some of the donuts we made.  I think it yielded 47 dozen.  I was afraid to cut the recipe because I generally don't have success anyway, so I didn't want to tamper with anything.  What's an extra few dozen donuts to eat when you're talking about perfection?

 

 

I had to post the birthday song to Ashley.  My favorite part of this (besides the randomness of Abby in her underwear), is Charlie at the end.  "Happy Birthday to HER" along with the purposeful intent and forcefulness of his blowing - this must be performed with the fist pump, by the way.

 

 

 

 

 Then on Friday, Alli and Ian came down to celebrate.  They are so sweet to make the trek for each kid's birthday.  We had a blast - like we do every time, but the nice weather made this especially fun.  We went for a family exercise run/bike in the morning. (any activity with the word "family" in it is guaranteed fun!!!)  Ian was the Energizer Bunny.  He did the run and then came back and hopped on Charlie's bike for a ride.  Nothing will stop this guy.

 

 

Alli decided to lay out in the sun when we got back.  This is what that looks like at our house.  I'm sure this produces some nice tan lines. :)

 

Andy entertained Jonathan while we were gone.  It's a tough job.

Ian shortly took over.  The silly kids:

I think there was an un-spoken-of game of "hot potato" going on - keep the baby away from Aunt Alli. :)   Oh wait, here is one picture of her with the infamous death grip:

Happy 10th, Ash-burglar!!!