: : : Happy Birthday Kimberly! : : :

Yes ... another summer birthday in our family. We love to celebrate birthdays ... and the 13th is a very special one! How did you get to be 13 Kimberly!?

Well ... sit back and get comfy because this post is a long one ...

For the girl's first birthday as a teenager we spend an afternoon together. Kimberly chose D.C. as her location for her day out!

First stop ... shopping in Georgetown ...

(This picture is a bit blurry because the owner of this tiny little shop was yelling at me to stop taking pictures and he startled me!) We had lots of fun walking around Georgetown looking and shopping! ... and taking some fun pictures
... what special birthday shopping trip would be complete without a little special chocolate!?
Next up was a quick driving tour of D.C. and our favorite monuments ...
The "Pencil Tower" ...
and the "Jeff Mem" ...

One of her favorite places in D.C. is the park right by the airport. So we went to watch the airplanes take off...
... she helped out by packing up a picnic lunch to have as we watched the planes
Kimberly ... you are such a lovely young lady with so much joy in your heart! Another family tradition is receiving a promise ring from dad and mom on their 13th birthday! Although she must have known it was coming .. because she's the third daughter ... she seemed pretty surprised ...
... her birthstone, a blue sapphire. :)
(Thank you Peggy for helping me find it!)
It's so much fun to give a gift to such a joy-filled gift receiver!

We had an awesome afternoon ...
But the day is not done ... next up - dinner out with a few friends. We had tons of yummy food!
And birthday dessert ...
So by the time we were done with dinner, the mall was closed. What do you do when the mall is closed? Take fun pictures naturally!

Thank you girls for making it such a memorable night! We really had a great time with you!

Since Kimberly's official birth-date was the next day (Labor day of course!) She started that day out with our traditional breakfast in bed.
Thank you Mrs. Scanlon for the beautiful rose!
Her sister's blessed her with a yummy dinner out on the deck ...
... and mint chocolate ice cream cake for all! Happy 13th Birthday Kimberly - you are a real gem in our family! We love you so much and we are so excited to see all the amazing things your Savior is doing in your life.
13 -- We can't believe it --- we had so much fun spending the day with you and celebrating your birthday! We love you!!
"Be happy... while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart ..." Ecclesiastes 11:9