Happy Birthday Aly!

This beautiful daughter turned the big 2-0 and wasn't too excited about that fact.  To think that we don't have any more teenagers in our family is another milestone!  We celebrated in style and tried to make this day special for Aly.  We started the celebration on Sunday evening where the family gathers at Grammy and Grampy's home for a wonderful personalized dinner and presents and games.  This is a tradition that our family has always enjoyed and look forward to each year.

Jacque was at work and Tyler/Jenny couldn't come....

but Aly still had lots of love coming her way!

Favorite dinner included pulled pork, white rolls, peas, and all the trimmings....

and of course 2 candy-bar pies!

The next morning was her birthday and we had a few surprises waiting for Aly.  Jacque had arranged for some of family and friends to write notes of love - 20 in all - and they were hidden or delivered through-out the day.  We met at Crackers for Brunch, and another letter was delivered!

Complimentary birthday cake - yes, it was still breakfast time, and yes....it was gone!

(little blurry - waitress did her best!)

Since it was also a holiday, the rest of the day was spent casually.  In the afternoon, Jacque and Aly went to a movie and then the family met for dinner at our home.  That is always so much fun!  Again, the dinner is the choice of the birthday girl and Aly wanted Chicken puffs, salad, garlic mashed potatoes and a cake from Savannah.

Jacque - so happy to be cooking and TASTING what she is cooking!

One thing about Aly is opening presents.  She LOVES to open wrapped presents...not bags.  Every year, I stack her presents and wrap them up.  This year, since she is turning 20, I thought it would be fun to have 20 presents to open.  Every little thing was wrapped individually, but it turned out great!

'Twenty,' she said, looking up at his mother and father. 'That's two less than last year.'

(Name that tweaked quote)

With all the presents, Jade was in heaven.  "So many boxes".  Jade helped Aly open each and every one and made sure we all saw how pretty each item was.

She squealed!  Simple things in life!

She has the rifle - just needed a case - that's our girl!

Savannah made a yummy cake with the best raspberry frosting.  In Mexico, there is a tradition that the birthday person takes a bite from the cake.  Since we are a "spanish-speaking house", the tradition began:

As we were cleaning, a good friend of Aly's dropped this by:

20 notes of love - 20 presents - 20 years of laughs and amazement as we have watched Aly grow into the beautiful young woman that she is today.  She can make anyone laugh, she holds her family close, and she continues to be an example of faith and strength to her family.  Aly might not have wanted to leave her teenage years behind, but I think the next 20 years will be even better.
I can't wait to be a part of them!
We love you Aly!!!