Kesley turns *8*

How did my lady grow up so fast?  I was just reading last years post that was all about her "birth" day...such a lovely memory.  She's been a calm, sweet, thoughtful lady--most of the time. 

This year she seemed to start that transition into pre-teen.  Sad but fun and exciting at the same time.  Brent and I get a good laugh when she locks herself up tight in her room and cranks her music so loud we can hear it up stairs.  We sneak down and listen to her belting out Taylor Swift and The Sound of Music all in the same morning.  She puts on her lip gloss and carries around a purse....full of Pet Shop animals!  She sits down and does her homework--all by herself without being asked, but still can't fall asleep until Brent or I come pull up her covers and tuck her in--kiss included. 

She is a tender heart.  Sometimes she tears up while saying her prayers.  She doesn't want to talk about it, but she knows it's the Spirit.  She also teared up while talking about her best friend at school who happens to be a little black girl.  Learning about Martin Luther King and the fight for equal rights was a hard day for her.  "But Mom!  Mikkiel is black!  And she is my BEST friend!!"  I love that lady.

We had a few ideas for her big day on Saturday, but at 9:30 p.m. Thursday night our friends, Chrissy and Charles, invited us to St. George for a quick weekend getaway.  We left the final decision up to Kesley, not wanting to take anything away from her big day, but when she gave the thumbs up Friday morning--we packed up and headed out for a very quick but SUPER FUN adventure!
Kesley woke up on Saturday to a lovely, brisk spring like day.  After a pancake breakfast we headed up Snow Canyon for a small hike through some red rock.

After hiking, we headed back to the house to swim.  This pool was as cold as any polar plunge can get--but these kids seemed immune to the cold.  They would float around on these rafts and then warm up in the jacuzzi.  I jumped in once--and it took my breath away!!  It was SO COLD.--but that hot tub is still calling my name...

We had such a great time just hanging out, eating good food, playing ball, riding in the jeep--it was the perfect day. 

The night ended with an ice-cream cake and the BEST present ever!  Josee gave Kesley a Chinese lantern--just like the ones on Tangled.  Definitely a highlight of the trip!

 Brent and Chrissy filling the balloon--that almost took out baby Francis!  Note to self: Do not attempt when windy!

Her day ended when she fell asleep in the middle of the movie--sun kissed and exhaused from a wonderful day.  Beautiful lady.  Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet Kesley.