Seventeen.17.

Yes, I know what everyone is thinking...another birthday letter? But whoever for? Well, it's true all my siblings have already celebrated their birthdays, but this blog is called FRIENDS.Family.Everything. But the person I'm writing the letter to today, is more than a friend. She's like my sister. In fact, I tell people she's my sister if they ask:) Well....here goes!
Dearest Mary Kate,
Well, by request, here is your birthday letter! I love you sooooo much! I can't believe you're already 17! Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday, you were 12 and I was 8 and you were babysitting us for the first time and Brady cried the WHOLE time and Breanna kept saying that a squirrel peed on her head:). You're an amazing dancer. I know people probably tell you that all the time, but it's really true. You're one of the best dancers I've ever seen.
You're so crazy! I love it! You always think of the most random things and you always put a smile on my face. I love it when you ride the bus; making up songs and making videos about all the things you can do in a bathtub(:.
I hope you teach showstoppers this year again. I'm not sure if I'll do it without you.
You're my role model. I've always wanted to be just like you. You're so great at everything, and so crazy, and absolutely gorgeous! I love you so much big sister<3 and I'm going to cry when you go to college. You better come visit me or write me letters everyday; yes, snail mail.
You can't forget all the advice you give me. Yes everyone, she tells me so many helpful tips that I have a list on my iPod. It's actually a very amusing list. Some of my favorites are, "use big words, it gives the illusion of intelligence", "you can't just walk into strange barns", and "don't wipe ear wax on other people."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love,
Your Baby Sister:)

Nine.9

I feel so awful because I haven't had time to do Ashley's birthday letter. Her birthday was October 5th. I'm a bit late, right? Well here it goes...
Dear Ashley,
Happy 9th birthday!! Being nine will be exciting and difficult.
You're in 3rd grade now! 3rd grade is lots of fun. This year you'll take your first state test! I remember being terrified. But really, it's not that big a deal as the teachers make it. You'll do great, I know it.
You're so fast and skinny. My thumb and middle finger can almost wrap around your ankle! You have the perfect track body. I hope you'll do track in high school. You'll be really great at it. You're so athletic.
You're also my girly girl. You love sparkles, high heels, and shopping. Sometimes it drives me crazy because you want to buy EVERYTHING but you're so easy to shop for.
Ashley, I love you. Even though you drive me crazy, you'll go far in life. Happy (belated) Birthday!
Love,
Lauren.

Eleven.11

I've decided to make this a birthday tradition, writing a letter to the member of my family who is celebrating the birthday. Today, it's Breanna.
Dear Breanna,
Let me start out with how much I love you. You were my first baby sister and always will be. You always understand everything. You're very curious and athletic. Sometimes I'm jealous of your athletic ability. You have so much energy, and so much fun inside of you!
5th grade is a lot of fun! You're on top of the elementary school. It's like you've worked for 6 years, just to get to that spot. It's kind of interesting that you're on the top of the elementary school while I'm on the top of the middle school.
I'm just going to tell you right now, 11 is a tough age. I can remember really clearly what it was like when I was 11. No one treats you the way you want. Everyone treats you like a little kid. You're kind of stuck in the middle. You're not a little kid, but you're not a teenager either. But I know you can get through it. You can get through anything.
I love you so much Breanna. From the time you were first born and I called you "Annie Rose" and "Little Piggy", to now. Just know that I'll always be there for you.
Love,
Lauren

Best of Summer: Friends and Parties!

So today and yesterday I had my 13th birthday party. Even though my birthday was in May, we had no time with soccer games, dance practices, and baseball to do it until today. I had so much fun! All my friends came! (Rachel, Michelle, Cheyenne, Kayla, and Teresa). They got here at about 5pm and then we ate a fabulous supper of spaghetti and beer bread (I LOVE BEER BREAD!).
Later, we made t-shirts. This was one of my favorite things of the whole night! Our t-shirts turned out amazing! We got all the supplies at A.C. Moore. If you're ever looking for t-shirt supplies, look there!

We decided to do a crazy picture with the t-shirts
After making shirts, we played "Scaventure". "Scaveture" is a game where you have to gather/do random things in a certain time limit. It was lots of fun!
We didn't sleep until 4:30 am, and believe me, I regret it now....but it was still tons of fun, playing a little old-fashioned game of truth or dare, looking up youtube videos, and crawling around in the dark with our eyes closed.

The next day, we all took a trip to the local lake to swim. And while we were there, may I point out, that some people just aren't meant to wear certain bathing suits, and if they choose to wear them, need to keep themselves covered! We were very fascinated by taking action photos. We jumped off this wall about 100 times before we got the perfect shots!

 This is one of our failed tries.

 And this is our very best picture!!

 Single pictures of me and Rachel.

 Breanna

 Ashley

 Michelle, this is my favorite pose(:

 Kayla.

 And Cheyenne.

 Breanna wanted me to take a picture of her doing a cartwheel, turned out okay, huh?

 Best friends for life!

Six. 6.

If  I could write a letter to my baby brother (who isn't so much a baby anymore), and who is turning six today, it would go something like this:

Dear Brady,

First I want to start by saying I Love You so much!! You've really come a long way. This year has been very big for you. You started Kindergarten this year! We were all really nervous, but you seem to be doing well (as long as you behave yourself) When people come up to me who haven't seen you for a while, they always say something like this, "Wow! That's Brady?!  I remember when he was just a baby." Well, right now I'm thinking the same thing. I remember the day that you were born the best out of anyone's birthday (even Blake and Ava's). I was 7 years old. After 3 sisters, I really wanted a little brother. Finally, I knew I was going to have one! I was so excited! Dad woke me up around 7am saying that Mom was going to the hospital. I was really nervous. Sometime later, you came into the world.
I remember how tiny you were (you still are tiny). Your little toes, your little fingers. You were so small! But I loved you right away.

As you got older, and got onrey, you stared to get on my nerves. But I still loved you. You got into so much, but you were just so innocent. I remember when you peed on the dog, when you opened child-proof lids, when you ate a steul softner, when you smashed peaches into the brand new carpet...but somehow, you're still here!

I've always thought about writing a book about you. It would be very interesting.
Turning six is a big deal. It can be hard because you can't do as much as your older sisters can, but now you're tall enough to ride all the rides at Del Grosso Park!

You may get on my nerves Brady, but just remember how special you are to me(: I love you soo much!

Love,

Lauren<3