Happy 7th Birthday to Avie Baby!!!!

February 23, 2013-

Can my Baby Girl already be SEVEN years old?!?!!  How can that be???  She was born yesterday, right?????

Happy birthday to our most darling, beautiful, inventive, budding chef and baker baby girl!

FYI- Ava's birthday was on the day we flew out of Auckland…so we tried to celebrate BEFOREhand with our great Kiwi friends in Taupo.  Through one of our Kiwi friends I was able to connect up with a cake decorator who had no problem making and decorating a cake for us.  She also happened to be a very sweet lady and the wife of one of Mark's coworkers.  And, as  you'll see, extremely talented!

 February 20, 2013

Jane of Calamity Cakes with Ava.

Ava has repeatedly been asking for cake with horses on it.  I think that cake fit the bill!  {Ava could NOT take her eyes off this cake.  Neither could I!}

Several weeks ago I emailed Jane lots of photos of cakes that Ava and I had found in our online searches (thanks to Pinterest!). There was one that really stood out for Ava- and Jane was able to replicate it flawlessly.

Aren't those jus the cutest horses? I think they're made out of fondant (I didn't/couldn't eat one- they were too cute!)

 Such cuteness!  I don't know if I can stand it!!!  

We celebrated Ava's birthday with our Kiwi friends, Shell, Clint, Kate, Alex and Clint's sister's family.  

 The kids are waaaaaaay too excited to cut into that cake!

Mmmmmmm!!!! Not only did the cake look lovely there was also a delicious chocolate underneath that prettiness.

 Lots of kids enjoying the cake…

Holly, Annika, Ava and Kate (Mark is outside on the deck. Shell made a FANTASTIC Pavlova!)

Oh, if you hadn't guessed: Ava is really into horses right now.  You know what's cool about that??????

Riding on Jelly!!!

Ava has wanted to ride a horse since last summer….and she finally gets her wish!!!!

What a gorgeous property! What a beautiful place and view of Taupo (which is to the right…just beyond the edge of the photo).

On the flight home (February 23, 2013):

Happy Birthday Avie Baby!!

PS.  She hates being called The Baby….but we keep telling her, "it doesn't matter how old you'll be- you'll always be our baby".

PPS.  Ava…we love you!  You continue to bring joy and wonder to our lives.  You are an amazing, smart little girl. We love your waffles, your scrambled eggs, your help with the robot project…. Congratulations on getting through Round 1 AND Round 2 in your class of the Poetry (reciting) Competition.  Finals will be next week!!!! (March 21) WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!