Birthdays, Cookis, and a Haircut (again)

We started off our busy weekend by celebrating Emma's 8th birthday which was Friday. She and some of her friends went to see The Princess and the Frog (which is a really good movie). We were able to use the party room before the movie started which worked out perfectly for gifts and cupcakes.





Then on Saturday we celebrated again with Matt's parents and my sister and niece. We had cake and ice cream again and more presents.





Then on Sunday we got together at Matt's parent's house for our annual Keekle and cookie making day with his dad's side of the family. I know some of you are probably wondering what Keekles are and the only way I know how to explain it is they are like a doughnut only made with a potato dough and raisins. Once they dough rises, they are then deep fried. The women generally prepare the dough while the men do all the frying and "tasting" in the garage. It is tradition to eat Keekles on Christmas morning which are dipped in powdered sugar. Yesterday when we were all together we were trying to figure out exactly where Keekles come from. We know they come from Matt's Grandma's side of the family and her Great Grandma who was from Sweden made them. I have tried Googling Keekles but am unable to find anything out about them. To be honest I never heard of them until I married into the family. I personally do not like them, and have been told every Christmas that I am kicked out of the will. Oh well...



This is Matt's Paternal Grandparents. They are a very special couple who love their family more than anything. I love getting together with them because they are so much fun to be around. I have been a part of the family for almost 15 years now and I love these two just as much as if they were my own Grandparents. They have been married for over sixty years, have three children, have eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren with two more on the way. Their love for each other and their family is truly an inspiration.




The "testers" are in the middle


I know that some of you may be wondering why Emma is wearing a hat in all of her pictures. Well, on Friday before her party my friend that does hair was over and she was going to do a really pretty braid in Emma's hair since I can't braid at all. Anyway, I asked Emma to run up and get the comb and she said she didn't want her hair braided but went to get the comb anyway. She came back downstairs and as Krista began combing through her hair she said..

Krista: "You may want to come over here."

Me: "Oh no, does she have lice"

Krista: "No, you just need to come over here."

This is what I found when I went to look at Emma's hair...





When I asked her why she cut her hair she said "because I didn't want a braid." At that point I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As much as I wanted to cry, I did laugh because I figured since it was her birthday what other choice did I have? Anyway, because of the severity of the cut and where it is, our only choice to cover it up is with a comb over. Now, how many 8 year old little girls do you know that can say they got a comb over for their birthday???