Last Saturday, we celebrated 11 years with our spunky McKenna Lyn. How quickly time is flying right now... Is it because our schedule is too full? Is it because we're working harder than ever? I'm not sure... but all I do know is that every morning, McKenna is a little less of a girl and more of a young woman. She's suddenly sharing my shoes, jewelry, panty hose... and asking questions that are hard to answer! Though she is changing rapidly, she still retains her bubbly, energetic, and adventurous personality. Just the other day, her friend's mom told me that her daughter can never play with McKenna at recess.... because McKenna is always playing football with the boys. Yep. That's McKenna.
As always, a birthday breakfast in bed... even though she's never been much of a breakfast eater!
Justin surprised us that morning by putting on home videos from her birth. She LOVED seeing video from her baby shower, her first room, and being adored by her family on the day she was born! Boy, I forget how darling and tiny she was... only 5 pounds and 4 pounds by the time we left the hospital. I also forget how unexperienced and scared I was as a new mother. It was both painful and humorous to watch me figuring out how to take care of her... Let's just say, I've come a long way. Perhaps this is why oldest children always come with such strong spirits... They have to put up with first-time parents!
One telling sign of her age was that she was not concerned about opening presents that morning. She was content to wait until evening... something I've never witnessed with my kids before. However, it was her brothers who could not wait any longer. The excitement was just too much!
Carson and Kyler had put so much time and energy into deciding what they wanted to give McKenna with their own money. My very generous Kyler had saved up $40, and wanted to spent every penny of it on Kenna. He even gave money to Carson so that Carson could buy her a gift too. It was touching to see his love and giving heart. I couldn't bear to let him spent all of his money, so in the end, the dollar store provided a way for them to give her oodles of things without breaking the bank.
My silly boys even wrapped her gifts inside food boxes so that when she unwrapped them, she'd think she had received a cake mix and a box of Capri Suns. Such sweet brothers who love their sister so much!
McKenna modeling a few of her brother's gifts... .25 jewelry.
Her brothers were so proud of themselves.
Ashton opened all of McKenna's gifts for her, and McKenna thought it was endearing... more evidence of a grown up girl. That never would have gone down nice a few years ago!
That night, McKenna went for a night out on the town with her dream date... her Dad.
At Olive Garden, the couple enjoyed pasta...
a birthday dessert...
and the movie, "A Dolphin's Tale."
Afterwards, we had cake and ice cream with Grandparents and cousins!
McKenna is posing for me here. Ashton blew her candle out for her.
He's so helpful!
And finally, for posterity's sake, here's a look at McKenna at age 11:
Favorite Food: Curry
Favorite Candy: Sour patch kids
Favorite Movie: Aquamarine
Favorite Movie Star: Selena Gomez
Favorite Song on the Radio: Party Rock Anthem
Dream Occupation: Artist, Wedding Dress Designer, Singer, Dancer
Favorite Fad: Monster High Girls, Mythology, & Dragons
Pet Peeve: Brothers
Best Friends: Brothers, Kamri Sorenson, & Cambria Seymour
Dream Day: Surfing and "Chill-laxing" in Hawaii
Hobbies: Piano, Violin, Ballroom Dancing, Softball, Art, Friends, Comforting Ashton
What grosses her out: When her brothers don't flush
What makes her happy: Art, friends, and helping others
What makes her excited: Performing
Happy 11th Birthday McKenna!
2 comments:
Cute pictures, she is growing up fast! I remember her getting up in primary after she was baptized! Don't blink or she'll be gone (I'm finding that out this year!)
McKenna is such a sweet girl! Her brothers are so lucky to have such a great big sister.
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