Sunday Snapshots: Twenty!

Just because I am already the mom of two who have passed the thirty mark, it is no less amazing to me that my Kati has now passed the twenty mark!

Yesterday, we gathered with friends and family to celebrate this milestone birthday. (As always, I don't have photos of everyone. I am uncomfortable photographing my guests. Family, on the other hand, is fair game. They expect it. ~smile~)

The birthday girl chose to decorate with an autumn theme. She bought a bunch of pumpkins when they were marked down to fifty cents after October 31. We picked up the rectangular plates in Tuesday Morning (loved them!) and Ron found the golden yellow napkins at Target's Dollar Spot, also on clearance at thirty cents a package! (He bought five packs. The man knows my napkin obsession...and he is frugal. It was a win-win.)

We had a finger food buffet, which was fun. Kati made her own birthday cake. I was willing to make her a cake, but this pumpkin cake is a specialty of hers (and sooooo very good!), so we decided that it would be safer for her to do the baking. Bekah and I made and decorated the leaf-shaped shortbread cookies.

Using our borrowed tradition, we went around the room and each told something we liked about Kati. What a joy to hear what everyone said! Gifts were so thoughtful...and so "Kati." A chocolate Scrabble game for our game-playing-chocolate-loving girl, a lovely mat hand woven by Maddie, a pretty pink travel bag, gift cards to her favorite places. And then the cards...hand made by her dear niece and nephews, with their own personalities shining through! Perfect.

Here, Ben explains his card to Aunt Kati.

The littlest niece was a bit shy (extra guests on this special Sunday afternoon), but everyone else sang Happy Birthday, dear Kati! Well, maybe the littlest nephew wasn't singing either, but I'm sure he was singing inside.

(Or was he thinking about those candles?)

Happy Birthday, Kati!  

As you leave behind your teenage years, we can truly say that they were a delight. 

We look forward to seeing what the next decade has in store for you as you walk in His grace.