HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATIE!

Today is Katie's birthday, so we are in celebration mode around here! She will open presents from family today and have her favorite meal (steak and salad!) for dinner. Then we will sing to her and eat cake. She requested chocolate cherry cake again this year, which makes the whole family happy, because we all love it! :-)

On Saturday she is having a birthday party at a local water park. She has always wanted a pool party, but since her birthday is in the dead of winter, we never really gave it much consideration. But, when she asked for a pool party again this year, we looked around for a way to make it happen. She is SO excited! Her dad and I are excited that this party involves no preparation or clean up afterward! :-)

It is hard to believe that our baby is NINE years old, already! Wow, the years have sure flown by. She is getting so tall, too. Kate is such a hard-working, helpful girl. She like to do things well. She loves music and art, playing with friends, her stuffed animals (she has named every one and talks to them as if they were her children) her American Girl dolls, playing soccer, cooking and hanging out with her family to play games or watch a movie. She is thoughtful, kind and loyal. She is smart and funny and fun to be with. Kate is an incredible blessing to her daddy and me and to her big brother. Dave and I love her so much and are so glad that God gave us this delightful little daughter!

Happy birthday, Katie!!!

(Here's a look back at Kate at ages 4 weeks, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8 years.)