Party time!! This year Lauryn had her very first slumber party. Turning 9 sounded like just the right occasion to take this step :) 

She chose 3 friends from school, and of course she included Allie. I was so thrilled to see how every one of them included Allie in everything they did. She was just one of the girls! What a great big sister :) 

         

Yep, Mom forgot the candles. I think she did a good job pretending, though :)

 

This is the look of pure joy and happiness. She was thrilled to have her best friends spending the night! 

The next morning, because I might have a slight mental imbalance, we loaded up the car with all five girls and drove to the American Girl store. Lauryn wanted the Doll of the Year (Saige) as her gift from us. 

The girls actually were a joy to be around - we had so much fun! I am so glad we went. Allie picked out glasses for Julie! 

One of the girls wanted her doll to have a new hairstyle - I could spend hours in this place ;) 

We had lunch in the cute little cafe - each doll had her own chair and tiny little cup/saucer. Precious! 

Happy birthday, beautiful! We love you more than words can say!