Happy Birthday Linsey!

Linsey says this was her best birthday ever!

It all started last week when two of her Aunts came and took her out for a birthday shopping adventure.

They had fun shopping, eating ice cream, and being silly. It was so much fun for Linsey. She's lucky to have such fun Aunts!

Here she is on the morning of her birthday. 11 years old! She had her favorite breakfast, french toast, strawberries, and cream!

She opened a few gifts and was really surprised to see a big cage for a pet bunny that she would be able to pick out.
Later that day we packed up and headed off to Camp Ensign with some of our good friends. The kids thought it was really cool to actually sleep in teepees.

After dinner, we all sang "Happy Birthday"!

We used these handcarts to haul stuff to and from the campsites,

and also just for fun!

Everyone got a little dirty.

Emma and her friend caught caterpillars and made them little homes.

The kids discovered a rope swing.

We had fun around the campfire.

Everyone got a turn to ride a horse.This water slide provided hours of fun!

Since it was the fourth of July, they even had a fireworks show in the evening. It was the perfect way to end a perfect camping trip!


As soon as we got home, everyone was anxious to pick out our very first pet (unless you count fish or caterpillars).

We found a breeder that seemed to have the perfect kind of bunny for our family and made the trek up North hoping to find just the right one. There were lots of adorable bunnies to choose from, but Linsey knew immediately which one was meant for her. She was drawn to this little brown bunny and hardly even looked at the others. Once we all got in the car, she announced that her name was Hailey.

I love those big feet.

I think she likes her new home.

I can't believe Linsey is 11 years old. She is growing up to be such a wonderful girl. These last couple years she has really become a great little helper. She makes my life so much easier by helping out with dinner, taking care of her younger siblings, doing more difficult chores, and she usually does all of this happily and willingly. I have come to rely on her quite a bit since Austin was born and especially now that Jared is gone so much more, I don't know what I would do without her.

It really has been the best birthday ever.... and it's not over yet! We still have a fun party with some of her friends next weekend! Happy Birthday Linsey!