Our Baby Girl is 9 today!

Melanie Grace has had a pretty fun-filled birthday weekend. 

I love this photo of her which Braaten took a few weeks ago.

She had presents to open first thing this morning before Shawn went off to work. All of the kids were sitting around the table with excitement and anticipation to see what she had gotten. 

If you go back a few days to Friday, that's when all of her fun began.

Four of her friends came over for the sleepover. In the photo, from left to right, is Braaten, Megan, Melanie, Eleanor, Sophie, and Amy. They were playing different games in the backyard including, "Ghost in the Graveyard". Typically this game is played at night, but they found a way to have fun with it in pure daylight. They were also playing around with a bubble making machine. We have great pictures of that time for a different post.

The mini ping-pong table was a hit for a short while. 

Time to cut the cake.

Megan, Melanie, Sophie, and Eleanor

Time for opening presents. 

They watched a movie and were looking pretty relaxed.

The girls ended up getting to bed around 11:30. Not too bad. The next morning their parents came to pick them up around 11. You know they did a gazillion things between waking up and being picked up. That's just what kids do. They make the most of being together. 

Happy Birthday, Mellie. You are a precious blessing to our family. You have a way of making us smile in all your silliness. We love you from the bottom of our hearts.