Happy Day to Leah! 9!!!!

I cannot believe how fast time is flying by! I say that almost for every birthday, but it really is crazy how fast time is flying by.  It seems like Leah was just baptized like a month ago.

This girl is a huge blessing in our home and family.  Its hard to express my feelings for this lovely child. She is full of life, spunk, love and a little bit of drama and sass sprinkled on top :)

Leah was a beautiful baby girl and, as the bias mother that I am, i think she is a gorgeous big girl.  Her eyes have always had a sparkle that just makes me smile (and scares me, for what those eyes might bring me in another seven years). 

Today is her birthday and all we want to do is make her feel special and loved.  Because, she is very special and very loved :)  Leah has been super fun lately.  I can see her grow by the minute.  Not only in height, but her maturity and personality.  She wants to know everything Dave and I are talking about and has an opinion AND an explanation for her point of view.  LOVE HER!

 She is happy and always willing to try something new that I have made (daring child ;)) She and I ate lots of caramel apples together and we loved it.  She is such a big helper and I can count on her to watch Otis while I make dinner, help Milli change in the mornings, makes beds (like a pro) and I can even count on her for an impromptu dance party in the kitchen.

As a side note on this year:  Leah has become some-what allergic to mosquito/spider bites.  The above picture was taken on day two of a really bad bug bite.  It was a tiny half inch bite, but in the morning it was hot and bigger.  During the day it got bigger and bigger and she was having a hard time moving her elbow comfortably.  She had to get an antibiotic shot to help her with the infection.  Poor girl! You could see her big bite through her sweater, as the sleeve was too tight on that area.  It took three days to get this thing to a "normal" size again.  I hope she doesn't get stung by a bee/wasp, makes me nervous for her, but don't tell her that :)

Today we celebrate her life and her wonderful part of our family.  Dave and I feel blessed to have her as one of our very own.  I am so looking forward to her continuing to grow.  All she wants to do is please us and be a big responsible girl.  She is well on her way there.

We love you, Leah!!!!!!  You are the best big sister we could have ever ask for for your siblings.  Thank you for being our perfect girl :) LOVE YOU!!!!

side note: these pics were taken with my iphone4.  I have been slacking on the picture taking lately :)