elisabeth is 12!!

i don't know when in our family history this little rule was decided, but we've always been allowed to have an actual birthday party when we turn 7 and when we turn 12 (and then when we turn 16 or 17 if we want). on all of the other birthdays, it's just a family celebration with maybe one friend over. 

so in compliance with that, lissiebeth turned 12 this year (seriously, she is SUCH a young lady!) and she really wanted to have a gymnastics party! instead of renting out a gymnastics facility like most normal people would, we simply cleared all of the furniture out of our living room and the girls spent hours perfecting their skills there. they loved it and it was free!! 

it was so much fun celebrating lissie because she has the perfect balance of maturity & just being her age and she is surrounded by lots of beautiful friends! 

it's crazy that it's been 12 years since i was standing by mama's side in the hospital and daddy was urging me to cut the umbilical cord (which, for the record, i didn't). after 4 boys, ellyn and i were so eager to have another little sister and i straight up spoiled the little lady. even when she was 3 1/2, i was still carrying her around on my little 12 yr old hip. but i'd say she's balancing out pretty well despite all that spoiling:)

here's to lissie and all that being 12 brings!!