Taylor's 4th Birthday... a perfect day :)

Nick just made a comment about how this was basically his perfect day, so I'd better blog about it, right? It just so happens to be Taylor's 4th birthday, which is why I gave into every fun whim from both Nick and Taylor all day long! It also helps that it's Labor Day and Nick didn't have to go to work!
Here's the run down, with pictures of course:

7 am - Nick went for a 9.5 mile run to Snoqualmie Falls and back. "It was awesome because no one else was there and it was foggy, overcast, and beautiful!" He always shares his run with Taylor by uploading the data from his Nike+ ipod chip. He's always wanted to do this route and really enjoyed it!

8 am - Jen made waffles (from the Snoqualmie Falls Lodge mix) and had them with fresh strawberries (thanks Shauntel!) Taylor served chocolate and strawberry "tea" (milk) with her new tea set. See below:


9 - 12 am we prepared for the big birthday BBQ by decorating and setting up tables and chairs (we borrowed many things to make this happen, so thanks to those who helped us out!) Friends arrived between 12 and 12:30 and Nick grilled the meat so we could get the food line going. Everyone brought something to contribute to the meal, so it was fun. There was even home-made rootbeer from the Olsons! How creative :)

The party was originally meant to be a Water Party with pools and slip 'n slides and waterballoons, but the weather didn't cooperate, so we set up this huge bouncy house that Nick borrowed from a friend at work. It worked like a fence - the kids didn't leave the area!
Sorry for the mid-bite picture, Christensens, this was my best picture of the bouncy house (upright). You're good sports!

Taylor wanted to be inside the whole time playing with her new toys, like Polly Pockets and Barbies! Thanks everyone for being so generous and thoughtful with your gifts! We really just hoped for your help with the food, but we sure appreciate your kindness :) We felt the party was a huge success - thanks to everyone for the great company, lots of help setting up and cleaning up, and so much generosity with food, tables, chairs, grill, tarps, taking our trash, etc.

***By the way, DID ANYONE LEAVE A PAMPERED CHEF MINI SERVER? If no one claims it, I'll gladly keep it!!!!***


5 pm - While Taylor napped, Nick played tennis with some buddies. That is absolutely one of his most FAVORITE things to do, so that definitely contributed to the perfect-quality of the day!

7:30 pm - Since we only have one child, we might as well spoil her on her birthday, right? So, we asked her what she wanted for dinner and she said to go to Mike's Cascade Grill - the place of her momma's employment :) That was fun, she was very well behaved and everyone ate what they wanted to, plus I got my discount :)

Taylor really likes the Mix-it-up place (same idea as Cold Stone) across from Mike's, so we went there for her cotton candy ice cream with nerds, but for some strange reason, she changed her mind to sprinkles at the last minute. Nick and I shared chocolate ice cream (made from Ghirardelli's) with Oreo and Reeses Pieces in a waffle cone. GO BIG OR GO HOME, right Nick?

Then Taylor wanted to finish her new Beauty & the Beast puzzle, so we did. Then she went to bed. It was a perfect day! :)

Happy Birthday Taylor! You are the best thing in our lives!