Abigail is Twelve

Abigail turned twelve - twelve!!!

And we had the most wonderful day celebrating her life.

We are so grateful for this little one, blessing from Heaven that God sent us just twelve short years ago.



Her birthday was on May 18th and it was a Saturday so we were thrilled that we could all be together and we planned something GRAND for her!

Because she deserves it!



In the morning she woke up to a pile of presents and balloons on the kitchen table.





It was a little bit of a surprise for her since we usually celebrate around dinnertime with a cake and presents after. But we had something else in mind for the day and needed to get started right away.







So instead of a birthday dinner and cake, she had sprinkles birthday pancakes and presents right after!









We couldn't wait for her to start opening!









Her first present was a sprinkles dress for her doll Mary Ellen. (her family party coming up was a sprinkles theme and so this dress was perfect)





Abigail loves to make little 'scenes' around holidays with her dolls and she had already set up a birthday scene. This was perfect for her favorite doll.









Cutest present ever I think!







One tradition that I have with my girls is that they get to wear something new on their actual birthday and this is what I picked out for Abigail.



And now the fun really began - a surprise for our little girl. Boy I sure do love surprising my girls.





Surprise One: A day trip to Mystic Aquarium (we love that place)

The ***best*** part of this part was that were going THAT DAY!







Surprise Two: The gift shop there is wonderful and we knew she would love this part.







Surprise Part Three: wait for it....



... her reaction!!!



love her face there!

"You are going to MEET the penguins at mystic aquarium at a Penguin Encounter"





and she RAN straight into her daddy's arms!





And so she changed into her birthday dress and we headed out the door for Mystic Aquarium and straight to the Penguin Encounter program.

Meet "blue, blue" (yup, that's his name)

We got to spend an hour and half with him!!! 





He was the sweetest penguin and we fell in love with him.





Abigail was thrilled to meet him.





And we learned oh so much about him!



Blue blue was super attached to his trainer and he wanted to crawl right up in her lap.



She got to listen to his heart beat. And we just had a wonderful time together. All day long in the aquarium.



Then that evening when we were home we had a yummy cake (I got to bake it the night before in my new baking center - my first cake there)





Look at that precious face - how am I that blessed?





There is no one Abigail loves more in this world than her sister Anna.









And just at that moment (because that's when I believe a child turns another year older) she turned twelve.







And her daddy and I are so thankful that she is ours.



And we ate this fudgey yummy cake ... and celebrated our special girl.



I wanted one more picture with my baby... these make me laugh. First she makes a silly face...



... then I'm like 'come on Abigail'...



... then she's laughing...



... now hysterical...



... and there you go!



... blessed beyond measure...



Happy birthday darling daughter. I love you oh so much!