15 years

How can Brianna be 15 years old? It just doesn't seem possible!
It feels like just yesterday she looked like this:

And I looked like this:

(sorry they're so tiny)

But alas, my sweet little girl is growing up! She had some friends come over this weekend. I took them to the mall and gave them a cell phone scavenger hunt. They had to take pictures on their phones of certain items. And then they had to find certain items and bring them back to me. Like take a picture of a random person wearing a hat. Or bring back a job application.

Then the girls spent the night and watched movies til the wee hours of the morning.

Last night we had a family celebration here at the house.

Money is always a big hit!!

And she got some new Coach shoes from her Gaga. Very nice!!

I made the ice cream cake. Crushed oreos mixed with melted butter on the bottom. Then a layer of vanilla ice cream. Then a layer of Hershey's chocolate syrup. Then another layer of ice cream.

It was yummy.

And so much cheaper than DQ!

Bonus!!!

By the end of the evening, the party moved into the family room. For some good ol' Guitar Hero competition.

Even Gaga rocked out!

Happy Birthday Brianna!! I love you, beautiful girl!!

full moon party

No, it has nothing to do with vampires or werewolves or the Twilight books. Come on, people!

Aunt Lou Lou (AKA Craig's wife, Brenda) invited the girls to watch the full moon one summer night a couple of years ago. And there a tradition was born. Last night was the third annual Full Moon Party.

Uncle Craig pitched a tent in the backyard and all the girls slept out there. Well, not Aunt Lou Lou. But all the other girls did.

The girls roasted marshmallows over the fire, played some games, ate lots of yummy food and of course, looked at the moon.

I really felt guilty dropping off the girls last night. Brenda is also a third grade teacher in my school district and her building was being renovated over the summer. So she's been spending hour after hour this week trying to get things in order and ready for her eager third graders to arrive next week.

Thank you, Aunt Lou Lou, for taking a few hours out of your busy schedule to be a super grandma and great-aunt. What wonderful memories were in the making last night!!

ps - Does this count as camping??