Still Pictures of a Sweet 16 Birthday Party

"Youth comes but once in a lifetime."~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I woke up early in the morning to decorate the living room, wrap some last minute gifts, take a shower, drive to Wal-mart to buy marsh mellows for the caramel icing Jon needed for the cake, and drive to party city to get the balloons. I did all of this while it rained, and I wasn't stressed.
Why wasn't I stressed? Because I was excited for Sierra's party! 

Sierra was surprised as she came home from school, walked through the door, and saw signs of Spring decorations in her house.  She was testing for two days in a row at school and this definitely brightened her day. I don't think she was expecting all the decorations, after all...you only turn 16 ONCE!

Even Noah was excited!

Since I was running errands all morning, my better half  (like the great baker that he is) decided to make her cake. He took this day off just for Sierra. He made her a simple yellow cake with caramel creme frosting. A frosting recipe he found in the Kitchen Aid mixer recipe booklet. It was pretty good, and different. Sierra loved it.

Her sisters love to draw and make cards. Chelsea made the card on the left (I think she meant to write 16 instead of 13) mind you she's in kindergarten, and made this at the last minute! Lexie made the big card out of a poster board and drew piano keys on it. She also made her lip gloss out of petroleum jelly and strawberry flavored powered drink! Interesting! Sierra really appreciated them both.

 I had candy spread around the entire kitchen table and while Sierra was opening her gifts, Noah was opening candy and eating it. His favorite candy is the TWIX bar. What the heck...it's a party right?

My dear friends the Duces sent her a book written by David Archuletta. Although we were fans of David Cooke on American Idol a few seasons ago, we did admire the younger David too. Sierra is interested in reading his memoir.

Sierra received nice gifts and cards from family in Utah. Her grandma from Utah gave her a new scripture bag, clothes, a cute clutch bag with money, and books. Sierra always appreciates everything her grandma sends her. My mother, her wella from Texas, sent her a beautiful neckerchief and a card. Sometimes the smallest gifts are the ones that mean the most. One thing I have taught all my girls is to appreciate all the gifts they receive, and they do.

This sterling silver charm by James Avery was sent by her Aunt Lynn in Texas. James Avery has the best jewelry in the whole state of Texas! You should check it out here.

After the presents were opened and dinner at Cici's pizza was devoured, we resumed the party with the birthday cake.

The balloons began to wind down just like Sierra, and so all the kids began to play around with them. It was so fun watching them...I didn't even yell at them to settle down.

Noah was having a blast playing with the balloons! 

We didn't spend hundreds of dollars on a sweet sixteen birthday party. We don't have to spend so much money in order to have fun. Sierra was so thankful, and said this was better than having a huge sweet sixteen birthday party at a fancy hall. We are grateful to have made this day special for Sierra. It was such a fun day! I think her siblings wore her out...what do you think?

Or maybe she ate too much cake and ice cream!

THE END.