Payton is 7!!!!

Today, our little princess, Payton, is 7 years-old. Here's Payton and Mommy when she was 6 months-old. Payton was such a snugly, sweet baby girl.

Around the time Payton was 18 months-old, she could speak in full sentences and always had something to say. She loved playing with Evan and her cousin, Jessi. Payton was the easiest toddler - I would love it if Karsyn followed in her footsteps. Papa Gene would ask Payton, "What's the matter?" And she would always reply with a smile, "just happy." Here's our little family of 4.



Here's Payton when she was 3 with Evan, who was 4. She was getting ready to a 3 year-old program where she went to school two half days a week. She loved school and was always cuddling with her teacher. Evan's teacher thought Payton was such a sweetheart, that she always made sure Payton had whatever goodies her class had.



As Payton has grown, she's always surprised me. In kindergarten, she performed a cheer and a dance with other local elementary school girls for the pre show at a high school football game. I had tears of pride rolling down my face the whole time I watched her.



Payton always wants to try new things. Here she is playing mini golf on our Branson vacation earlier this year.



I'm a little convinced that she's half monkey. She loves climbing on the playground.

She has also shown us that she is an athlete and she is so determined. Here she is ready to play basketball.

She is also a soccer player. And a very cute one at that.


Payton is a great joy and is very much the heart of our little family of 6. She loves and thinks about others. She loves the Lord and loves going to church. She wants to be a nurse like her Aunt Becky, who she talks about every day. From the time she was small, until now, her vocabulary has blown us away. She helps me cook dinner every night. She also loves going to school. She's our organizer, our diaper bag packer, our helper, our cuddle bug, and our princess.

Happy Birthday Payton Grace! We love you so very much.