The birthday girl and her daddy

Jack and Cora, a photo by Pirate Queen ChoChiyo on Flickr.

As you can see, it would be impossible for Jack to deny paternity of this one!

Remarkably, she looks like her Momma also.

Holly and Mojo

Holly and Mojo, a photo by Pirate Queen ChoChiyo on Flickr.

My sister Kari's brother Kevin's girlfriend, Holly, had just set up the card table and put the chairs by it. Mojo (Cora's cat) hopped up on the table and sprawled out like he owned squatter's rightson it.

She was scolding him, and he was looking at her like, "What do you want, peasant?"

LOL.

Jack came along and saved the day with the water bottle.

Cora's present from Grandma.

Opening present from Grandma 3, a photo by Pirate Queen ChoChiyo on Flickr.

Grandma got Cora a swimming set with swim fins and a face mask.

Now that Cora has passed her swimming lessons, she just wants to swim and swim!

Little Miss Money Bags!

MONEY, a photo by Pirate Queen ChoChiyo on Flickr.

She got quite a bit of cash and some gift cards.

This is fortuitous as she can either apply it tothe Ipad she is saving for OR use it on their vacation to Branson which is coming up soon.

Cora's Gift from her mom and dad

Kid Pop CD, a photo by Pirate Queen ChoChiyo on Flickr.

She loves these Kids' Bop CDs.

Caleb hates them and feels he is being tortured by having to listen to them.

They will give her something else on her actual birthday as well.

Jack and Mojo

Jack and Mojo, a photo by Pirate Queen ChoChiyo on Flickr.

Jack is enjoying the birthday feast as Mojo enjoys a nap. Mojo had to be in the thick of the party throughout the entire event.

Cora's 8th Birthday Cake!

candles, a photo by Pirate Queen ChoChiyo on Flickr.

She decorated it herself with her plastic wolves. One candle just could not be blown out! I think that means there is a BOYFRIEND somewhere in the picture!

Subborn candle!

blowing out candles, a photo by Pirate Queen ChoChiyo on Flickr.

Or perhaps a persistant boyfriend???

I baked today

Zucchini baking 8-5-12 001, a photo by Pirate Queen ChoChiyo on Flickr.

A while back, my sister Joni gaver us a huge zucchini. It was too big for cooking to eat; it needed to be shredded and baked into stuff.

It was such a beautiful, temperate day that I decided I would bake.

I made two batches of zucchini spice cupcakes--one just plain and one with walnuts and raisins.

I made a chocolate zucchini sheet cake and frosted it with cream cheese frosting.

And finally, I baked two loves of zucchini bread with walnuts. I wish I had some craisins, as the recipe offered them as an option and I just love the tart/sweet yumminess of craisins.

Two lovely loaves of zucchini bread

Zucchini baking 8-5-12 002, a photo by Pirate Queen ChoChiyo on Flickr.

I did not taste this but it smelled awesome.

Chocolate Zucchini Sheet Cake

Zucchini baking 8-5-12 003, a photo by Pirate Queen ChoChiyo on Flickr.

Jack and Caleb came over to take out Mom's trash, and I asked them to stay until I had frosted the cake so I could send some home with them.

I had half a bag of mini-chocolate chips left from another baking day (in the freezer), so I threw them in for a little added yumminess.

THIS I tasted and it was awesome.

Zucchini Spice Cupcakes

Zucchini baking 8-5-12 004, a photo by Pirate Queen ChoChiyo on Flickr.

I made two batches of two dozen each. The first batch was just zucchini and spice--cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

The second batch also contained raisins and walnuts.

I had quite a bit of extra frosting, so I frosted about half the cupcakes. The others I left plain.

I sent a big ziplock bag of these home with Jack and Caleb. There are more here than Mom and I will be able to eat on our own.

I love to bake.