Emily's Birthday

We celebrated Emily's 22nd birthday a week early because she is so busy this was the only time she had available this month.  On Friday, the four of us, Laura, Mike, Emily and myself went out to an open house at the Third Degree Glass Factory in St. Louis and then out to dinner at The Block.  Then on Saturday, Emily celebrated her birthday at the pond with her parents and grandparents.

I spent Saturday preparing for the party.  I made apple butter for Emily to take home with her and then made a vegan lasagna for her dinner.  I had gotten the recipe from Suzanne who had made it for me the previous week when I was in Dallas.

Despite the fact that both Heath and I had given Suzanne flack about having vegan lasagna (what's wrong with cheese?), we both found out it was delicious.  Then when I proposed having the same item to Emily, she also said she would rather have a cheese and meat version.  Unfortunately for her, I had already bought the ingredients so she agreed to give it a try if I would include fresh bread and her favorite caprese salad.  Which I did.  The menu was a success.  Emily actually had seconds of everything including the lasagna.  

The theme for Emily's birthday party was the location of her grad school.  She is still undecided so I went to the AAA office and got tour books and maps for the states of the four schools to which she has been accepted.  They are Illinois, California, Michigan and Colorado.  

Emily received paper earrings that I found at a craft show and her favorite Tazo dark chocolate that we have only been able to purchase at Whole Foods.  

Based on all the smiles I see in these pictures, I'd say Emily had a good pre-birthday celebration weekend.