Happy Birthday to Laura

                        

If there's one thing we love in the Zahasky household (besides coffee, chocolate, and sunshine), it's a party! Yesterday marked Laura's 24th birthday, but we celebrated early, having a party for her last Saturday. One of the ovens was covered in brightly wrapped presents, and the whole house was filled with delicious smells. 

The table was set, everything was ready...

we just needed the birthday girl!

Laura wore a sparkly birthday crown all throughout the evening, especially made by me! It proudly said "Birthday Queen" on it (for she was indeed the Birthday Queen).





While Mom and Dad worked in the kitchen to get everything finished, Quinn and Laura tried to get Xochie to sing "Happy Birthday" (her favorite song to sing, unless it's someone's birthday of course...). 

Everyone was given a start when dad, after coming out of the cupboard, said "There's a mouse in there!" I know I jumped a bit! A mouse? In the cupboard!? 




It wasn't until everyone looked with surprise at the cupboard did they understand Dad's joke...

An adorable little felted mouse Abigail had given mother not long ago.

Abigail helped mom put the finishing touches on the incredible torte she had made as a birthday cake for Laura. Layers of chocolate, homemade whipped cream, raspberries and mint chocolate shavings had everyone more excited for dessert than dinner! 

How on earth would we wait for such

a lovely birthday cake?!

Dinner was wonderful, and before we knew it, it was time for presents!

What was Laura's favorite present you ask? 
Well of course it was the fancy coffee given to her by mom and dad! Coffee is always the best present.

24 birthday candles were lit,

a song was sung,

and the candles were blown out to cheers and laughs. 

As an after dinner treat, everyone gathered out on the back porch in the rainy, windy weather to light lanterns...that way all of Juneau would know that it was Laura's special day!

What makes a house a home, you ask?

Well we think the answer is this:

It’s a place to fill with love and family,

A place when you’re gone you’ll miss.

It’s a place where memories have been made,

It’s the place where new memories will come.

A home is not always tidy or clean,

But you’re proud to say where you’re from.

The windows hold faces of people you love

There are pictures of people you miss…

And on cold winter evenings we’ll gather around

We’ll laugh and talk and reminisce. 

And as the last lantern became only a twinkling light 

in the dark, Alaskan sky, 

we all wished Laura a most wonderful happy birthday. 

We hope this next year is amazing for you Laura!