Dallin's 8th Birthday at the Lion House!

It' s been our family tradition to have our children's 8th birthday parties at the historical Lion House in Salt Lake City. As a part of who we are as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 8 is a big birthday and one that I felt needed to be different yet meaningful, and one that would remain a cherished memory for our children over time. In the days of the pioneers, there were no "addresses" to find where someone lived, so it became common for people to find Brother Brigham by simply saying, "It's the house with the Lion on it!" -and so today it is called "The Lion House." Here we have Dallin and his little friends just outside of the Lion House.

The Lion House is known for their wonderful bakery and delicious foods and one of the neat things about the birthday parties there is the special birthday cake that they made for Dallin with a little hand made lion on top and a "lucky gumball" hidden somewhere inside of the cake! Whoever gets the gumball in their slice of cake will have good luck all year! ;) I am happy to say that we took home the extra cake and that night when Dallin ate another piece, HE was the one who found the "lucky gumball!" The next day at school Dallin found a dollar bill outside on the ground and attributed his "good luck" to the "lucky gumball" he found in his birthday cake!

Here is a picture of all of the friends sitting on the stairs with their "funny faces!"

As part of the party at the Lion House, they take the children on a tour of the home and tell them neat stories from the life of Brigham Young. We learned about seashell collections and a beautiful piano that was too heavy to bring across the plains so it was buried in the ground and retrieved 3 years later and found in perfect condition! We also heard stories of all of the children that ran through the home playing hide and go seek and these neat chairs that were custom fit for Brother Brigham's family by getting a mold of their hind ends by having them sit in the snow! Each chair was custom fit for each individual! Pretty cool!!!

All the little friends in the children's room ready to play games and open presents!

Cute little Dallin pulling taffy, which was a rare treat for the pioneer children.

With treats in tact, a collection of fun pioneer stories and games, and a laundry basket full of opened treasures, we hiked back to the car while playing follow the leader across Temple Square and pausing just long enough to snap a picture or two. Dallin, I love you so much and was thrilled to share this special day with you! I pray that this birthday will be one that you will always remember, and never forget! ;) P.S. I can't wait until your REAL birthday!!!