Daci's Birthday Party and ANOTHER RECIPE!

Daci's 2nd birthday isn't actually for another week, but we just had to celebrate here in Utah with both sets of grandparents before she, Kori and Rick headed back to big, bad Chicago (Yes, I've been teaching Daci to say, "Bad 'Cago...GOOD Hootah!" Her parents are not pleased).

Kori hosted THE MOST DARLING birthday party ever at her in-laws beautiful home. She chose a farm theme. After the photos (feel free to click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail), I'll share a QUICK and EASY recipe for the soup we ate. Trust me, you want this recipe!

Kori decided to do a "farm party". She made the cutest invitations, made and decorated a barn cake with cupcakes that looked like little farm animals, a matching birthday banner, and the party decorations were all in red and white. Stinkin' cute! She even dressed Daci in a little farm girl outfit, complete with the world's shortest pigtails and red ribbons, which I might add, melted my heart. We had Cheesy Broccoli, Cauliflower and Carrot Soup (recipe below), Kori's famous "Salad de Maison", Olive Garden Breadsticks, Pedersen Slush to drink, and cake (Kori even made half of the cupcakes gluten free!) and ice cream for dessert.

Here's the front of the invitation:

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and here's the inside...very creative, Kori!:

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Kori's banner (hard to see in the photo, but it said, "Birthday"...and of course she used ALL Close To My Heart products! Her mother taught her well). You may want to click on this photo so you can see more detail in the banner.:
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Close up of a chick cupcake:

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and a lamb:------------------

and a pig:--------------------

Party Favors:----------------

Dinner: Soup, salad and breadsticks:-----------------

Blowing out the candles. She liked this so much that we sang "Happy Birthday" and blew out candles three times.:------------------

Opening Presents-big girl panties...just what every big girl needs (those pig tails KILL me!):-------------

Taking a bite out of the cake, face first:-------------

More present opening. This is tons of work!:

Cheesy Broccoli, Cauliflower and Carrot Soup
from the kitchen of Karen Pedersen (okay, and Bear Creek)
Serves 6-8

Start with a Bear Creek Cheesy Broccoli Soup Mix (or similar brand)
The mix calls for 8 C. of boiling water. Ignore that. Instead do the following:

1. Steam 1 head broccoli (cleaned and chopped), 1 head cauliflower (cleaned and chopped), and about 4 carrots (peeled and sliced thin).
2. Set veggies aside
3. Put 4 C. water in large pot and bring to a boil.
4. Whisk in Cheesy Broccoli Soup mix.
5. Reduce head to medium/low.
6. Add 4 C. milk and whisk until blended
7. Put in veggies.
8. Simmer (stirring often, it scorches easily) for about 20 minutes.
9. Ready to eat! Tastes like homemade goodness with about half the work. This is a definite stand by for my family. It's always yummy on a busy night when there's not much time to cook.