Marin's 6th Birthday

Marin turned six the first day of this month. She has been planning her birthday for quite a while now. She chose to go to Skamania Lodge again, instead of having a party with her friends. We go up to Skamania on Friday night for their gourmet buffet. Marin loves the shrimp cocktail and the chocolate covered strawberries. Those are her two favorites. Then we spend the night and go swimming several times and play in the hot tub. This year we did not take a hike since the weather was a little uncooperative. We did play in the outdoor hot tub as well as the indoor one, but going back and forth between the two was a little chilly. I try to get Marin to go in the sauna but she says it's too hot to stay in for more than a minute or so. It is a beautiful setting to spend celebrating Marin's birthday. We are so proud of who she is. She is a very sensitive, kind-hearted little girl who brings a smile to everyone she meets. She loves to learn and write letters to her mom and dad. She loves her big brother and wishes that he shared the same affection for her. I can't believe it's been six years since she was born. Our little baby. We opened presents on Sunday, her actual birthday. Grandma Harker made Marin's requested meal--macaroni and cheese--homemade of course. Marin also requested a Marin cake. She had wanted me to draw a picture of her on the cake but I got a picture of her scanned onto a fondant-like substance and then decorated the rest of the cake. She had a strawberry cake with strawberry filling. She loved it.