Happy 16th Birthday Annika!

Well, after a week of celebrating, it is official.  Annika, our youngest, is 16!  She has been dreaming of this day for a VERY long time.  'When I am 16 I will...' insert a whole host of things that she throws out she wants to do, some of it serious, some of it voiced just to get our attention.  First up, passing the driving test so that she can be an officially licensed driver.  We hope to get this task accomplished this week, although it has been a bit of a challenge.  Test taking and Annika DO.NOT.MIX.AT.ALL.  Soooooo, we keep our fingers crossed, say a prayer (or two or fifty!) and hope that she is able to remain cool, calm and collected and show the instructor what she can do.

Annika, about 13 birthdays ago.

She celebrated her birthday in a variety of ways.  Extended family party was first up.  Followed by party with several of her friends (both girls and guys).  We were dreading this one a bit (will kids show up, will it be the great night that she has dreamed it to be? yada, yada, yada), but it turned out to be a really great night with lots of great kids hanging out to celebrate with Annika.  All night we kept remarking to ourselves how FAR she has come and grown and how amazing it is to see her being honored by a large group of such solid young adults.  

So, Happy 16th Birthday Annika!  We love you!!