Claire is 9!

 We had such a wonderful day celebrating Claire turning 9 years old. We got up early because Claire had swim times that qualified her for Ponderosa in three of her strokes! Prior to heading to the meet, she got to blow out the candles on her cake and open a few of her presents. Today she swam 25 freestyle and came in 24th out of 60 girls. Then she swam 25 backstroke and came in 22nd out of 60 girls. We are very proud of her accomplishment of making it to this very difficult meet!

 She got this very cool bible from Great Grandpa Art Naustdal! Just in time because the bible she took to camp this year got pretty worn out and the cover broke off!

 This is a dolphin necklace that Claire wanted so badly when she saw it in the store. Of course we didn't get it for her that day but remembered to go back and pick it up for her birthday! As you can see, she is pretty surprised and excited!

 Mamalu and Papado managed to find yet another fun game for us to play. We tried it out tonight and found that there is quite a bit of strategy needed! It was great fun!

 Claire has been playing Parcheesi with Papado and was super excited to get the game to have at home. Thank you Uncle Brandon and Aunt Annie and the boys!

Grandma Rachel sent money and Claire had a blast going to the store to spend it! She ended up buying this kit that has scented markers and crayons in it with 20 coloring pages.

 A collection of her birthday presents! 

 We had such a wonderful day! Great times at her swim meet (she beat her fastest backstroke time today!), then we got to see the movie Incredibles 2, we went out to eat at Red Robin, and came home for some cookie cake before jumping in the pool to play Sharks and Minnows! After swimming, we cam inside and played a game and had a coloring competition! Claire's birthday wish this year is to go to Schlitterbahn. She will be bringing a friend along and we are heading there on Wednesday! She is so excited and so are we! I cannot thank God enough for blessing us to be this amazing girl's parents. She is such a wonderful kid with a huge heart and a love of helping others! I am so proud to be called her mom and cannot wait to see what God has planned for this beautiful child!