Josie and Ellie's Birthdays

This time last month it was Josie's birthday!! My little April 2nd baby turned 9-years-old without too much fanfare. I arrived back from the Tora Walk on her actual birthday so we celebrated with presents that evening and dinner out at one of her favorite restaurants in town. We also welcomed our house guest Summer on Josie's birthday. Summer is originally from Texas but she now lives and works in Cambodia where she helps counsel and rehabilitate girls that have been rescued from the sex-trade.

Not too many pics as we were rushing to get to dinner. Jo happily took several of her presents with us to the restaurant.

We got to know Summer because she is dating our youth minister, Guy. Guy asked her to marry him on Josie's birthday so when we went out to dinner that night we had a LOT to celebrate!!

Our beautiful birthday girl.

Enjoying her double-scoop gelato for dessert - a special birthday treat.

Of course almost two-weeks later we then celebrated Ellie-belly turning 7-years-old! Because her birthday fell during school holidays we haven't organized a party yet, too many people go away when school is out and we wanted all her new friends to be there. I still haven't organized a party. . .

Ellie loves her birthday more than just about any kid I know - she just revels in the day being all about her! She looks forward to it for days on end and when the day actually arrives it almost is like it goes in slow motion as she savors each and every second.

She requested monkey bread for breakfast. No canned biscuits here so it involves homemade dough which meant we had it for morning tea instead - momma couldn't quite get up early enough to have the dough risen and ready in time for breakfast. I've heard you can do it the night before and leave it in the fridge so next time I'll try that. Ellie was quite happy to have it for morning tea instead though.

Daddy met us for lunch at her favorite sushi restaurant, then we had her requested lamb roast dinner followed by birthday cake.

Just this week we celebrated Dugald's birthday as well - another yummy cake, chocolate this time, and a roast lamb dinner. Sadly he's fighting off a cold and very busy at work so on his birthday he had been in Auckland all day and was heading back the next morning. We will have to celebrate again later in the month when he is well and things settle down a bit. Lots of love from all of us!!