8 is great when your horsin' around.....

We celebrated Carlee's 8th birthday last night with a horse party of course. Before her friends showed up I took some pictures of her and her cake, something I always forget to do until it's about time to cut the cake.

 
Birthday girl loves her cake.

  Kissy kissy.

 
The cake was so fun to make. The ruffles were fun to play with and I chose to make them in her favorite color and topped the whole thing off with her very first Breyer horse. Needless to say, Carlee loved it! 

Now it was time to party. Carlee's riding instructor came with some horses for everyone to ride. It was a perfect evening, just a little chilly.

  Quinn, Hallie, Marin, and Tessa chillin on the bench eating pizza while they waited their turn to ride.

  Carlee and her best friend Natalie were the first to ride.

 
 Carlee on Luna.  Luna was the horse Carlee first learned to ride on, she's a sweetie.

 
 Girl talk on horse back.

 
 My Tessa May, she loved riding and I think she looked good doing it too!

 
 I love this picture, the girls were just having so much fun. Carlee is pulling Quinn, and Candy is pulling Tessa, they loved trotting.

 
Carlee and Hallie.

 
And finally my little Marin had a turn to ride. She loved it so much, it was so cute.

Next we were on to the hide and seek game. Andy bought some saw dust chips and hid some toys and of course candy in it for the kids to find. I was not to fond of him doing this in the house, but he pulled it off. He made some sort of box thing and put the tarp inside of it and it worked out great. The kids loved trying to find everything.

 
 Carlee and Natalie looking for the goods. Andy even bought the cute horse bags for the kids to put the goods into.

 
 The whole gang. Time for cake, ice cream, and presents!!

  Happiness.

  Wait for it, wait for it.....

  BLOW!!!!!

 
And that's a wrap and a super fun party. Overall the kids had a super great time. Andy also made each kid a lasso to play with and take home, that part was a little crazy but great fun.

It is so weird to look at these pictures of Carlee, she looks so big and beautiful. More than anything I love her smile in all of the pics, and that is what I love most about her, she is always happy. Carlee is such a joy to have in our lives and I am so lucky to be her mom.