On Beth's actual birthday (during the week), we had a small celebration at home.
Ally-Jane painted that way-cool painting of a tree for her, and we gave Beth a Dell mini-laptop

The Saturday after her birthday, my mother threw a big party for Beth at her house on the water.
With Ally-Jane and Beth on the pier are Beth's friends Abi, Samantha, Heather, and Ryan

Beth and her Great-Aunt Waltraud; Beth and her cousin Maggie

My best friend Pat, a pro DJ, provided the music that got the girls dancing

After a while, it was time for a buffet dinner...and birthday cake!

Then we all went out in the backyard to a tent where Beth's presents had been left

My mother gave Beth a public "apology" for not giving her the 16th birthday present 
that had talked about a long time ago. Instead, she "only" had something "small" for her...

...which Beth slowly realized was "only" a key to a car!

Beth in her birthday present...and it's her favorite color

Beth celebrating with her friends

The car is a 1989 Mercedes that my folks have had for ages. They cleaned it and tuned it up and now
it's all Beth's. From the maternity ward to the driver's seat--that was a fast 16 years to me....