Birthday celebration #2 for Claire!

Well, I guess one party on her actual birthday was just not enough for Claire! Today my brother and his family got to spoil her and they all were together for another celebration at the lake. Claire wanted a pineapple themed birthday and my family went overboard to make that happen! From awesome balloons to a beautiful cake, Claire is living the life in MN right now! Looks like she started the day with her favorite breakfast (and her favorite uncle!).

 Not that she needs more gifts, but looks like she got plenty!

 Thank you G-Ma for getting this cool cake...white cake with buttercream frosting, just how Claire likes it!

 Looks like Claire has a pretty sweet life being spoiled rotten by her aunts, uncles, and G-Ma!

 She got the gift she wanted the most....a polaroid camera! I can only imagine what kind of photos she will take to hang all over her room when she gets home!

 Such a fun gift! Love the cousin shirt and squishy pineapple! This will be a birthday and a summer Claire will always remember!

Happy 11th birthday Claire!

Wow! 11 years old yesterday! I don't even know how to put into words what you have done for my life Claire! We prayed so long for you and God sure has gone above and beyond when He blessed us with you! You have such a big heart, such a hilarious personality, and such a determination to be the best you can be! You have taught me so much and I know God has big plans for you! Keep God at the center of all that you do and He will lead you where He needs you to be! I look forward to what He has in store for you this year! If you can stay 11 for about 10 years, I would really enjoy and appreciate that!

Thanks to G-Ma, Claire was super surprised to get this gift from Mom and Dad. G-Ma did some shopping and some bouquet arranging to present Claire with a candy bouquet filled with Claire's favorite candies. Hoping she chooses to share with her cousins or we might have a big dentist bill in the near future! 

 Auntie Shannon and family went overboard to make Claire feel super special on her birthday. As sad as I was to not be with my baby girl on her big day, I know she was loved on and spoiled rotten while Jeff and I worked all day!

 Yeah....just a little bit spoiled by family yesterday!

Claire even got a cookie cake! She didn't want to blow on the cake due to COVID-19, so they cut her a piece and covered it in candles for her to blow out on her big day! So thankful for this girl and for my entire family! I am so abundantly blessed!

Claire has fallen in love with this MN sweatshirt that Ellie had. Well, Ellie was so kind to give it to Claire for her birthday. She was so excited when she found out and ran to give Ellie a huge hug! I might have a hard time getting it off of Claire when she returns to TX!

Water skiing for the first time!

Thanks to Uncle Scott, Owen, and Ellie (and the videographer Auntie Shannon of course!), Claire has started to learn to water ski! She has done really well so far and I look forward to watching her ski when I go up to get her next weekend!

Fun summer with cousins!

Claire is absolutely loving being in MN for the month of June! I don't think she will be ready to come home next weekend! She is getting so spoiled and loved on by her aunts and uncles and cousins and she is making so many great memories. Time spent at the lake is probably her highlight of the summer.

 Loving the snuggles with Auntie Shannon!

 Claire and her sidekick, Ellie, out for a paddle boat ride

 Claire loves roasting marshmallows but she loves eating them even more!

 The golf cart...hard to get Claire off of this thing. She has become a wonderful driver with the many hours of practice she has had this summer!

 The kids by Grandpa Larry's (Snugglebunny's) tree. Wish Grandpa could be here to watch his grandkids grow up but thankful for the wonderful memories they all have of him.

 Claire soaking up the time she gets to spend with Uncle Scott!

 Gotta do some work before play at the lake. The kids worked hard cleaning Grandpa Larry's patio.

 Claire loves it when Uncle Scott has time to take them out tubing! Sore arms are totally worth the fun on the boat!

 What do you do when it isn't your turn to go tubing? Soak up the rays on the boat with cousin Harvey! Livin' the life in MN!

The first two weeks with cousins

Claire got to be present for Owen's actual drive through graduation ceremony. Thankful for my sister who has been taking and sharing pictures with us while we miss our kiddo so much!

 The ladies chilling in the back seat of Grandpa Larry's 55! Although Claire would say she was not chilling, but rather sweating since the car does not have A/C and it was a hot day!

 Claire did a big project in 5th grade on the state of Minnesota so Grandma Rachel took her out to see where Little Crow died.

 Henry, Claire, and Harvey getting facials at Auntie Shannon's house! Looks like they are enjoying it!

 You can't get the cousins together without them all piling on Owen! It is hard to see Owen's face but if you look hard below Claire's smile you can see Owen's teeth. Clearly he is enjoying the tackle!

 This is where the kids would live if we let them! Hours upon hours are spent on this mat! Claire is having a blast so far and I am so thankful for wonderful family who have given her the opportunity to spend a month of her summer with them! Memories to last a lifetime!

Time with the cousins!

Looks like some serious kids on the dock, concentrating on catching some big fish!

 Claire is excited to spend some extra time with Auntie Shannon this summer. They got to share some time together on the paddle boat.

 Watch out! Not sure Claire should be allowed to drive this big vehicle! Thankfully no one got hurt and she didn't crash! Ellie looks pretty relaxed so I guess I should be too?!

 Have to throw in some work too! Claire worked hard helping Uncle Scott to stack wood. This was a new experience for her! 

 Some fun times on the lake. I am sure there will be many more!