Cora's 11th Birthday

Cora turned 11! We had a fun time celebrating her. We had her birthday dinner the day before her actual birthday, since her birthday was on a very busy day. She chose smoked ribs, garlic bread, watermelon, peas, and mashed potatoes. Uncle Dallen and his girlfriend were able to join us for that celebration too!

The next day was her actual birthday, and she got breakfast in bed:

Then she was excited to open her presents:

Her big birthday gift was an iPad, which she has been saving up to get for almost a year (she paid for most of it, us and my parents paid for the rest for her birthday). That was by far her favorite birthday gift, and she has been using it every chance she gets. She also got a BYU sweater, an iPad case and money to spend for apps, a book and some clothes, a frame to hang pictures, and some high-heeled church shoes:

Zane wanted to wish Cora a special happy birthday:

Ivy and I brought Cora some Culver's for lunch at school on her birthday:

I also got to bring in some donuts for her class, where I saw her classes' fun birthday tradition of giving the birthday kid compliments and wearing a fun hat:

Cora's classmates said she was kind, positive, smart, funny, pretty, a good friend, inclusive, cool, and has good ideas. It was so sweet!

After school Cora had piano and tumbling, and any moment she wasn't doing that she was playing with her new iPad. For dinner we had pizza and watched a movie, then finished the night with an Oreo ice cream cake:

Her birthday party was the Saturday after her birthday, and she had a great time! Cora took two good friends out to lunch at Pizza Pie Cafe, then rock climbing:

After rock climbing we came back to our house for chocolate cake and Oreo ice cream with her friends:

Then she opened presents from her friends:

Cora is a kind friend who likes to help others and be in charge. She is a creative and prolific writer, so confident she won't let anything or anyone deter her, and so responsible. She still loves dogs and watermelon, but now also loves historical fiction books, Disney channel shows and movies, and drawing cute pets. She is smart, adventurous, tenacious, stubborn, and wants to follow Jesus. We love her and are grateful she is part of our family!