Kelz turns 11!

On April 30th, our baby girl turned 11 years old. Not quite the baby these days, Jon and I have realized, but I think the name is going to stick for a while longer.. If not forever. I guess that happens when you are the youngest.

So in honor of her birthday, I thought I would post 11 things about Kellie that I love, or that you may not know.

1. Kellie comes across shy on the outside, but at home she definitely speaks her mind. She has a sarcastic wit and is quick with a comeback, and is the most stubborn thing I know. I have no idea where she gets this from. She keeps us on our toes, and makes us laugh like crazy, although she does not like to be laughed at! She is smarter than you give her credit for. As the youngest we tend to make excuses for her, and she uses that to her advantage! She absorbs everything going on around her and retains it for later use. Kellie remembers everything she hears, and she defintiely likes to be in the know. Do not leave her out, or you will pay!

2. She is a great friend. Kellie will play with anyone, and does. She has a sweet nature and she loves to share it with others. It's a little harder for her to make friends, but once she does, they are friends for life. She is forgiving, patient, kind and friendly to everyone.

3. Secretly, and she will never admit it out loud, she loves her brother. They fight, they argue, they make me want to pull my hair out, but the moments that they get along are the very best in the world for me. Kelz, I truely hope when you two grow up that you become great friends.

4. Kellie loves babies! No longer the only granddaughter, Kellie is so excited to share that role with her cousin Baylee. She has waited months for this baby to come and she counted the days when it got close. Kellie will drop everything to see her for even a few minutes. Kellie has loved baby dolls since she was tiny. She had millions of them, and has practiced being the little mother for years. Sometimes I wish she had one of her own, but since that is not in the cards for us.. she is lucky to have aunts and an uncle willing to share.

5. Kellie is an animal lover. Big and small, furry and not.. Kellie loves her four legged friends. She is allergic to cats, and probably dogs too if I had to guess but that doesn't stop her from loving on them as much as she can.. Even if it means she will sneeze for the next 4 hours.

6. Kellie is a junk food junkie! She loves chocolate, and anything sweet. Fruits and Veggies, not so much... :) She learned to make chocolate chip cookies when she was 3 years old, which pretty much says it all!

7. Kellie is in the 5th grade, soon to be 6th. I have no idea where the time goes. She has an awesome teacher that pushes her to not be lazy and get things done. Kellie has been on the student council at school for the past 2 years, and wants to be an SBO just like Cody when she is older. A career in government would definitely suit her.

8. Kellie is an artist. (This I really have no idea where she got.) She loves to draw pictures, make cards, design clothing and color. Give her some paints, crayons and paper and she will be happy for days. Don't dare to throw any of her artwork away, however, or she will not be pleased. You must keep everything!

9. Kellie has been a cheerleader for Bingham Little League cheer for 5 years. She does a great job and has a ton of Miners spirit. She loves to learn new cheers, and is always willing to help the younger girls learn them too. She never says no, and always does what she is asked at practice, something she rarely does at home! :)

10. She is a Daddy's girl. Or maybe Daddy is a Kellie's boy. She has him wrapped around her little finger. When her big blue eyes tear up and she asks him for something, he can never say no. He hates that she is growing up, almost as much as she does. I think they would both be happy if she stayed a little girl forever.

11. Kellie loves to be outside. She is always on her bike, her scooter, or jumping on the trampoline. She loves to be with her friends but will even go out riding the streets up and down by herself. In the summer she loves to swim, but she doesn't like just sitting outside.. She melts in the sun!

And number 12.. my one to grow on. Kellie, I love you for everything that makes you, you! Some days it's just like looking in a mirror, kid! You are such a special part of our family. You amaze me. You are so beautiful, and smart, and determined.. and fierce! As you get older I know that nothing will ever be able to stop you! I hope when you grow up that we become great friends.. (because I know that for the next few years we won't be!) Stay close, follow the great example your brother sets, work hard and the world will be yours for the taking.

Love you Baby Girl!!