Crowning Miss July

We had a barbecue at our house Thursday night. It was quite birthday bash for Miss Anika. The menu was a spread of grilled hamburgers and cheddar brats, a watermelon boat filled with fresh fruit, broccoli salad, homemade baked mac and cheese, bean, bacon & hamburger casserole, cherry coke jello, seven layer bars, double chocolate brownies plus cupcakes. 

Auntie Kirsti brought a pull-apart cake made from 36 cupcakes from a local bakery. 

Anika was thrilled with her very own first cupcake.

She was frosted head to toe when her cupcake eating was complete.

Elizabeth socialized at the party with many friends and took a break to feed her baby (fondly named Jared after one of her daycare friends) and to visit with Nana, who had hand surgery this week. 

One of the girls’ favorite people on earth came to the party, their daycare provider, Lori.

The party included fun group of dear friends from our community, Grandma Carol/Nana, Grandpa Eldon, Auntie Kirsti plus our long-time friends Beth and her boys, Christian, Noah and Parker make the trek from Fargo for their visit to the prairie for Anika’s party.

The deck and dining room were both filled with people eating and visiting with a local baseball game playing off in the distance. 90+ degrees with a breeze made for an beautiful birthday party evening.

Anika opened her own presents with friends Caleb and Morgan. Elizabeth claimed a few gifts that she deemed “Anika’s but mine now”. 

Yesterday before Beth and the boys had to go home, we picnicked in the park and played. We hope they will be back again soon for a longer visit to the prairie. 

Late afternoon we drove to my parent’s farm for the weekend and more birthday partying.

Anika’s cousin friends, baby Tavin and big sister Nevaeh visited and brought a present to Anika.

With all this celebrating for Anika’s birthday plus Independence Day tomorrow…

Anika is being crowned this weekend,

our very own Miss July.