Cheer camp 2023.

Our local college does a cheer camp every fall, where the kids get to learn some cheers with the cheerleaders and then perform with them during the first quarter of the football game. Unfortunately, it was below freezing and snowing that day, so they did a little show for the parents inside the gym instead. I think they still had fun! Thankful our town does special events like this for kids!

Norah's 9th birthday- family celebration.

One of my favorite traditions is our family birthday celebration! Norah opened her presents on her birthday, but we didn't get to do our family celebration until a couple weeks after her birthday. We let them choose where they want to eat and the fun activity to do. Norah originally wanted Olive Garden, but the wait was pretty long, so we went to Fazoli's instead, and then had fun jumping at Drop Zone! It was fun to celebrate Norah a few different times with friends and family- we love you so, Norah!

Halloween 2023.

Happy Halloween from our fairy, gymnast, and basketball player!

Norah's 9th birthday- De Jong celebration.

We got to celebrate Norah's birthday with the De Jongs! Kley's sister and her family came for the weekend, and we got to celebrate my nephew Gerrit's 2nd birthday too. What fun! Always love family time together, and even better with birthdays added in!

My MIL making the celebration even more fun with her cute treats and decor!

Our sweet 9 year old!

Present opening with cousins.

Happy 2nd birthday Gerrit!

Happy birthday Norah- SO very thankful you are our daughter!

Norah's 9th birthday- Schut celebration.

I'm so thankful for the many family and friends that love on Norah- she is very loved and what fun to celebrate her birthday! My whole family came and stayed at our new house for the weekend, and it was incredibly special to have space for my entire family to fit. (Some were on air mattresses, but we got everyone in!)

We had a great weekend also celebrating two cousins birthdays too- Averie turns three soon, and Margo just turned one! They each got special balloons and their own cake! We also rented a bounce house for the weekend and definitely was well used. We also visited our local pumpkin patch and did a pinata! Here is Norah opening a few presents.

She was pumped to get an electric scooter!

My niece, Averie, is having a zoo animal theme for her third birthday, too cute!

Brooks, my nephew, is 10 months. :)

Fun at the pumpkin patch- the most beautiful fall weather!

Cousins on the train!

They had puppies you could pet/hold and Ellory jumped right in. Also, notice Ellory's hole in her mouth!

Whole group shots- the best!

Pinata time.

Happy 9th birthday Norah!

 

Norah's 9th birthday- friends swimming party.

Norah is nine! It's fun to talk about her arrival into the world during her birthday week each year- it just seems to come up in conversation! I am so thankful to be her mom and to be able to be with her everyday. Watching her grow up is one of my greatest joys! Celebrating Norah is a gift!

Norah chose an ocean animal theme this year, and wanted to have a few friends and their families at the the pool for pizza, ice cream cake, and swimming. We had fun!

Praying for Norah's friendships more and more as she grows!

Happy birthday sweet girl! (If you look closely, you can see the melting ice cream cake. We had ice cream cakes for Lucy and Ellory's birthday, and took them out of the freezer right before serving and they were rock hard and so tough to cut. Apparently this time we swung too far to the other side and it started to melt a bit, but it was easy to cut and tasted yummy!)

Making a birthday board each year (a poster filled with favorite pictures of the last year) is one of my favorite things and a special time to reflect over the wonderful moments from her last year!

We love you very much Norah!