Sarah turned 8 on Friday, and she had a great birthday weekend. One of her best friends spent the night after we had dinner at Applebee’s, cake and ice cream at home, watched Sarah opened some gifts, and then watched half of the new “Narnia” DVD.

On Saturday we had a real treat – (Great-) Uncle Stan walked Sarah and her friend around on horses through a beautiful landscape on a gorgeous day. They also finished “Narnia”, bought a few things at the garage sale at the Lynden Fairgrounds, and we got to see Sarah’s friend’s new house!

On Sunday we went to Grandma and Grandpa’s house after church, where we had a great birthday dinner that ended with strawberries on angel food cake. Sarah got her biggest present – a combined gift from many relatives – a real live basketball hoop! I don’t doubt that a “real man” could have had it assembled in an hour or so, but it took this man about five hours. Still, I finally completed it last night before the sun went down, so Sarah and I were able to play a few minutes before bed.