Samantha's 14th Birthday

Samantha's birthday fell on a Saturday this year, which I think makes for the best day of celebration.  We truly celebrated her from the moment that she woke up until ... well, actually into the next day.  

That morning, we began with our traditional cinnamon rolls with candles and sang happy birthday knowing that she had turned 14 at 3:15 am that day.

I adapted the tradition to include cinnamon roll 'sticks' for the event and no one seemed to mind:

Making her wish:

We always joke that it seems to snow on Samantha's birthday (in November), but this year it had snowed before and you can tell that there is quite a bit of snow on the ground already for the season.

This girl is nearly 5'4" already, which means that she has surpassed my height by two inches and is still growing!

 

All of the gifts from us AND the 'brookies" that she was taking to celebrate with her basketball team later that day when they practiced.  Brookies is the term that we have given to the beloved dessert that is brownies and cookies baked together.

One of the items did not arrive in time (a new water bottle for basketball) so I quickly printed a picture and wrapped it up to simulate what she would be receiving eventually.  And the shirt was a gift from Grandpa -- "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  Except Marching Band."

A new basketball bag too.  Just in time for the new season, where she will be playing on the Junior Varsity team!

While she was at basketball practice that afternoon, I began setting up for her party with friends later that day ...