Marissa is 11 !

Marissa had her 11th birthday on Thursday! I can't believe she's getting so old! She's growing up to be such a fun, nice, and funny girl!

We started the day opening presents, which included all the pictures and picture books the other girls had made for her. She was so nice and acted thrilled to get them all.

She got a new bike for her birthday, in one of her favorite colors: light turquoise blue. (This was more out of necessity for us, since everybody has grown and needs to move up bike sizes - but she was still thrilled!)

Almost equally cool were the press-on nails that change colors in the sun!

She partied all day at school - we brought Krispy Kremes for her class, her friends brought brownies and sang to her at lunch time, and she didn't have to do any chores or practicing. Lucky!

That night she got a new blanket Grandma Nielson made and Aunt Sara brought balloons and a cute picture Oakley drew. To finish off the party we ate chocolate mousse and huffed the helium from the balloons and sang Happy Birthday in chipmunk voices. (Please note: I do not endorse huffing, and our brains are noticeably dumber since the experience.)

Happy Birthday Riss! We love ya tons!