Is she really 13?

A few days a very special little lady turned 13.  Today she celebrates with a  typical party with girl friends.  She will have a spa day and a pizza party with a movie – because that is what you do when you turn 13.

You had a rough start when you were born but have conquered every obstacle placed in your way.  You are a typical teenager that attends middle school with a few physical limitations.  From being told to say our goodbyes and take photos when you were just days old to the life flight rescues for your pneumonia’s before you became bionic you have always fought back.  You do this with grace and sweetness and always set an example for the rest of us!

I am honored to be your Aunt Dee and cherish all of our fabulous memories and look forward to making lots more memories through the coming years!

We have had a fabulous time so far and here are a few of my favorites, mostly from when you turned 5!

You had only be out of the operating room for a couple of weeks and you and were shopping and a little Dora bike caught our eye, so we brought it home and few days later your Uncles Trevor and Derek along with Mimi came to visit us in Houston and they got you going on that bike and you were still riding it when you were 10!  When you and I flew to Seattle to join your family there was another Dora bike waiting for you there too!

Here are a few more fun time memories – I have so many it was really hard to choose!

Such a cutie patootie!
Such a cutie patootie!
You were so tiny and frail - I had not made you a quilt yet and I felt to guilty - Mimi helped pick out the fabrics and I raced home after visiting you in the hospital and made your quilt.  It has accompanied you to many hospital visits.  It is well worn and very much loved!
You were so tiny and frail – I had not made you a quilt yet and I felt to guilty – Mimi helped pick out the fabrics and I raced home after visiting you in the hospital and made your quilt. It has accompanied you to many hospital visits. It is well-worn and very much-loved!
And she is peddling!  I would chant "just keep peddling, just keep peddling" (like Dory in Nemo)
And she is peddling! I would chant “just keep peddling, just keep peddling” (like Dory in Nemo)
You showing off when we arrived in Seattle!  A few months later you fell off your bike and broke your wrist - the ER doctor didn't quite understand that!  You did not walk, but you broke your wrist riding a bike!
You showing off when we arrived in Seattle! A few months later you fell off your bike and broke your wrist – the ER doctor didn’t quite understand that! You did not walk, but you broke your wrist riding a bike!
Riding bikes was a family affair!
Riding bikes was a family affair!
Chillin in the wagon when we would go for walks.  You were recovering from major surgery but you always wanted to be doing something!
Chillin in the wagon when we would go for walks. You were recovering from major surgery but you always wanted to be doing something!
You and I swinging on the bench swing - we spent hours on that sing!
You and I swinging on the bench swing – we spent hours on that sing!
Not always happy - but always cute!
Not always happy – but always cute!
You and uncle Corey pretending to sleep - you and he would hang out every night when he got home from work!
You and uncle Corey pretending to sleep – you and he would hang out every night when he got home from work!
the playground at the carwash
the playground at the car wash
The playground at the park - we spent a lot of time there
The playground at the park – we spent a lot of time there
And you are swinging!
And you are swinging!
Different day, maybe a different swing - but you are swinging!
Different day, maybe a different swing – but you are swinging!
Even a grey drizzly day didn't keep us from the park!
Even a grey drizzly day didn’t keep us from the park!
And she is swinging!
And she is swinging!
Yep - swinging!
Yep – swinging!
Sometimes you would play on the other stuff - you got pretty good at climbing all of the different equipment!
Sometimes you would play on the other stuff – you got pretty good at climbing all of the different equipment!
Made it to the top - now time for a break!
Made it to the top – now time for a break!
You and uncle Corey feeding and watching the birds!
You and uncle Corey feeding and watching the birds!
And she is swinging!
And she is swinging!
Rocking that helmet!
Rocking that helmet!
Cheese Nip Heads!
Cheese Nip Heads!
Uncle Corey trying to measure you for mimi
Uncle Corey trying to measure you for mimi
We went to the park with Dahlia and you liked this swing too!
We went to the park with Dahlia and you liked this swing too!
Playdough with cousin Andy was fun too!
Playdough with cousin Andy was fun too!
The look on your face when you saw Aunt Brittney's wedding dress!
The look on your face when you saw Aunt Brittney’s wedding dress!
Thumbs Up!
Thumbs Up!
Photos with the azaleas!  I don't have azaleas at my new house :(
Photos with the azaleas! I don’t have azaleas at my new house 🙁
You and mimi!
You and mimi!
You had so much fun with Dahlia at the park we met them at Kemah for some more fun - your first Merry Go Round Ride - you were a little scared and then you loved it (like 12 times loved it!)
You had so much fun with Dahlia at the park we met them at Kemah for some more fun – your first Merry Go Round Ride – you were a little scared and then you loved it (like 12 times loved it!)
Feeding and watching the fish!
Feeding and watching the fish!
Look towards the back of the slide - you are heading off to climb the stairs to slide down the slide - you got scared half-way down and Sue had to slide down to rescue you!
Look towards the back of the slide – you are heading off to climb the stairs to slide down the slide – you got scared half-way down and Sue had to slide down to rescue you!
We headed to the hill country to get some fresh air and blue-bonnet photos.  We also took your bike and you rode up and down Marilynn's driveway!
We headed to the hill country to get some fresh air and blue-bonnet photos. We also took your bike and you rode up and down Marilynn’s driveway!
Hope there weren't any snakes in there!
Hope there weren’t any snakes in there!
Mr. Noak's barn was a great backdrop for this photo!
Mr. Noak’s barn was a great backdrop for this photo!
Amazing this quilt is still together - it has probably when laundered 200 times!
Amazing this quilt is still together – it has probably when laundered 200 times!

You are and always will be my little “sprite”.

Sending you Texas size loves, hugs and kisses!

Aunt Dee and the gang!