Friday, May 25, 2012

Happy Birthday Erika!!

Twenty nine years ago today, we had baby girl number two! Erika Diane came into our world and we were thrilled!!! Two little girls, two years apart, almost exactly.
I don't have any idea how these years have flown by so quickly.  But flown they have.  My husband was telling me the other day that he was feeling so old knowing that our girls were about to celebrate their 31st and 29th birthdays.  And our baby boy had recently turned 23!!   But then he realized that our Nana has grandkids that are in their 50's!!!!  This made him feel better!
We went to lunch today with Gennifer and her girls, and my Mom.  Then tonight, all of the kids came to our house for dinner.   The kids all brought their bikes to ride in the driveway.  It was pretty windy and chilly today, so even though we were grilling, we had to eat inside.  While I was preparing dinner, I sent out a few appetizers for the spectators and bike riders.
Some freshly picked sugar snap peas from my garden.
And some goat cheese and veggie pizza cut into wedges.
I made this pizza using a whole wheat crust.  The sauce was a homemade pesto sauce using the basil in my garden.  I added fresh mushrooms, red peppers, slightly steamed asparagus, goat cheese, a little fresh mozzarella, and  shaved parmesan.  Delicious!
For dinner we grilled a large salmon.
I roasted asparagus in the oven.  Drizzle a little olive oil, then cracked sea salt and pepper.  Roast at 375 for about 13 minutes.
A green salad, with the very first lettuce picked from my garden.
And a caprese with fresh basil.  I had to buy the roma tomatoes though, because mine aren't ripe yet.
It was a fun evening.  The kids had a ball riding bikes before dinner.
We don't usually gather on the driveway for our celebrations.  But tonight, they all set up to watch the kids play out front, and I listened from the kitchen window while I cooked.
After dinner, we had brownie sundaes and watched the kids play.
They love their Uncle Goo (Drew) and Diana!  It was another fun family gathering! 
Happy-Happy Birthday to our Erika.......We love you so!!!
XO  Mumsy

18 comments:

Sunny Simple Life said...

We always hung out in my folks driveway with the neighbors in our lounge chairs. We were proud to be driveway trash.

Just a little something from Judy said...

I had extra time this morning to spend visiting your blog. You have a special way of sharing daily life and all of it's happenings. What a beautiful family you have!

Happy Birthday to your daughter! I feel the same way you do, when you stated how fast the time has flown. How did we get here so quickly?

Happy Memorial Day to you!

Debbie said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your beautiful girl! Yes, I agree wherever does the time go? Looks like another wonderful fam. celebration. You are soo blessed Kris! Oh! and all that scrumptious food from your garden looks soo yummy. ENJOY your holiday week-end. I am missing the weather at home....over 100 here and sooo dry. But soo worth it to be kissing my sweet little guy...

Holly said...

Big birthday hugs to my dear sweet Erika. Wish I were there with you all to celebrate. The food looks delicious.

Dawn said...

Happy Birthday E:) Wow, 29 just like me. LOL.
Your appetizers would have been a whole meal for me they look delicious. My pea pods, are just starting to climb. Can't wait to eat them. Sounds like a wonderful family day:)

Mereknits said...

Your family looks so wonderful, I'm sure you have the normal family drama and all but everyone looks like they really enjoy each other. The food looks so yummy, I think I will stop over for left overs.
Have a wonderful weekend and Happy birthday to your beautiful girl.
Meredith

Kerri said...

Happy 29th birthday to Erika! Looks like another fun evening at your house...I love the picture of you looking out the window!

Pammy Sue said...

As always, your food looks so good! That salmon looks fantastic.

Genn said...

Cute post.
I love the pic of you looking out the window too. Good one Dad.
Thanks for having us over! Dinner was SO so SO good!

NanaNor's said...

Kris, Please wish Erika a belated Happy Birthday; it amazes me that we both have daughters two years apart. Mine are two years, two months and two days. Your celebration looked so fun. I know you are probably having lots of family celebrations this weekend. Enjoy!
Hugs, Noreen

Anonymous said...

You have a lovely family and what a celebration and yummy food! Congrats to the birthday girl(s)! You are still young, my friend. I have a grandson who will be 28 in July. Oh my!!!

Teresa Kasner said...

*H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* to Erika! What a fun time you had! Tell grandpa that our oldest just turned 39.. now that gives you pause!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Lauri said...

I think our children are now the ages we were when you and i met. How is that possible?

Your caprese looks delicious...such a summertime treat. Could you also share your recipe for pesto? I tried some and was disappointed.

Gloria Baker said...

happy birthday to Erika, yours girls are beautiful like you:)

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for including us in your celebration of Erika's birthday, Kris! I had a lovely time(:

Your husband's comment about age spurred me on to do some math...I just turned 61 and my oldest adopted son will be 43!!!!!!! this December. Amazing to me!<3

Nicolle said...

Well, you know I adore Erika, and all of you! What a great celebration. I just love how your family celebrates! The Caprese salad looks amazing, and the pizza, and those fresh sugar snap peas. Love it all. I'm glad it was a great birthday for Erika, and fun for your family. I'd enjoy a bit of that cool weather right now too. :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Kris, your family reminds me so much of my own. We enjoy and love a lot of the same things. Birthday celebrations are always so fun. Happy Birthday to Erika. Cute, cute girl! Your food looks divine! Caprese is one of my favorites. Just planted my Basil a few days ago. My lettuse is almost big enough to pick. I had 3 spinach plants that came back from last year. Picked it the other day and hubs and I enjoyed a fresh salad. I love Goat cheese. I thought your dip and veggie pizza looked so yummy. Have a wonderful Sunday!
Hugs,
Jann

glor said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter. It seems like we just turn around and here we are so many years ahead. Always amazes me as well. Certainly looks like you had a most wonderful feast. Made me hungry just looking. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Blessings.