Amber's 20th birthday!

Can you believe it?! Now we have two official adults in the family! This week Amber said good-bye to her teenage years and hello to adulthood (although I'm certain she has already had a good dose of what adulthood will be like). You can't turn 20 without something special so we partied hard this week! On Sunday (8/13), we invited family over for dinner and birthday dessert. As is tradition, Amber chose a pasta dish with breadsticks and Olive Garden style salad. And, as is tradition, she did not choose cake for dessert. Instead, she picked out three different kinds of ice cream. My kids are not cake kids, but as long as I can stick a candle in it we're good.

Wednesday (8/16), we said farewell to her careless teenage years with a fun-filled day at Lagoon! The older kids have been several times, but this was Jonas's first Lagoon (or any amusement park) experience. I'm not sure he was too fond of the rides at first, but his mean mommy kept making him try new rides. I even took him on a little roller coaster. He did NOT like that one, but I couldn't resist. His facial expression definitely indicated the dislike he verbalized over and over again as he screamed to "get down"! Jonas did love the carousel (which we rode several times) and the train ride. Jonas and I were on our own for most of the day, but the older kids met up with us for a few rides around lunch time. Laurin was lucky enough to join us after work too! The older kids shut the park down, but Jonas and I headed home around dinner time. It was a fun day! I love watching all the kids simply be kids and have fun. I think too often I expect them to grow up and demonstrate the responsibility and maturity of adults. It's days like these when I remember that it's ok to simply be a kid.

Don't let the smile fool you...he was screaming to get off after the ride started.

Jonas's first solo ride! Danny was a good big brother and went along for moral support.

Thursday (8/17) was Amber's actual birthday. We started the day off right with hashbrowns, eggs, sausage and cinnamon rolls (her choice again). The breakfast actually capped the birthday celebrations. I hope this next year of life is Amber's best yet! Happy birthday!