The Mesa Browns: 9 years & counting

Before the whole month flies by, I wanted to post some of the pictures from Afty's 9th birthday. Someday, I plan to print my blog and bind it in a book (with many volumes to come in the years ahead), and I don't want this precious memory to be left out! Our sweet Afton turned 9 on December 4th and we had the good fortune of celebrating twice. The picture above was taken at our family dinner the Sunday after her birthday. She requested her favorite dish, chicken fettucine alfredo, with lots of tasty bread and salad. We threw in some chicken spinach ravioli with marinara sauce for good measure, and called it an Italian feast.

But the real party was on Afty's actual birthday, Friday, December 4th. She and six girlfriends plus our crew went out for a little GNO (modified to include one Dad, one brother, and one Grandpa who we were thrilled to have along with all the girls.) As our car load of giggling girls walked into Red Robin for dinner (Afton's favorite going-out-to-eat hot spot), the host said, "Let me guess...Girls Night Out?"

You got it!

Avery, Afton, Lily, Madison & Linda in the midst of their chicken finger/hamburger/french fry feast. They were all smiles and all girl for sure!

Lily, Madison, Rowan, Avery, Afton, Barrett, Linda, Riley & Sophia at Red Robin after dinner.

After dinner, we all came back to our place and Afton opened up her gifts in front of the Christmas tree. She got so many fun things, including 5 or 6 Webkinz, which she loves! Grandma Cindy & Grandpa Steve got Afton a new iPod shuffle and iTunes gift card. Afton was totally stoked! Her old MP3 player has been on the fritz, so she's been dying for a new music device to jam with. She's our little rocker in the making for sure.

Just so you know, Afton is pretty easy to please. Her Christmas list included a few from the heart gems, like duct tape, rope, pipe cleaners and a box of chips. Seriously, how cute is that? So Easton decided to get her the box of chips for her birthday instead. Both of them were all grins when she opened it. This might just be the best present ever! Easton decided that he, too, wanted a box of his own after declaring Afton has "TOO MANY CHIPS!"

Barrett got Afton a poodle Webkinz to add to her stash.

Rowan gave her a package of Nestle Crunch bars and a monkey Webkinz.

Riley hit a home run with yet another Webkinz, a package of rope, and a giant box of popcorn. Afton could eat popcorn all day if we let her!

After the gifts, we played a fun gift exchange game and each of the kids ended up with their own Webkinz! They loved it. Here is the crazy crew showing off their new pets.

And is if we all weren't stuffed enough from the bottomless french fries we ate at Red Robin, we decided that we still had to have dessert, of course. Afton had picked ice cream sundaes as her dessert of choice. The kids created piles of decadence too sweet to finish in their heaping bowls.

Ice cream. M&M's. Whipped Cream. Chocolate Sauce. Caramel. Oreos.