Elizabeth Turns 17

My niece, Elizabeth, turned 17 on December 27. It's so fun to be able to celebrate her birthday with her each year. As I said in my Christmas recap post that I wrote yesterday, I cannot believe how fast the years have flown by. It really doesn't seem like that long ago that Elizabeth was still a little girl, but now she is an older teenager, and only has one year left to be a "minor." Can't time just slow down?!

In the afternoon, Sharon and her three oldest girls went to the movies, along with Chandra and me. We saw The Greatest Showman about PT Barnum. I sent Sharon a link to the trailer last summer, and I told her that I thought it looked really good. I thought it would be good, but it wasn't… it was amazing! I didn't even get tired in the movie, which is saying something, because I usually get tired or fall asleep when we go to the movies. I truly loved the it, and I can't wait to see it again. 

[It was so bright outside that I could not keep my eyes open for the picture! My eyes were watering with how bright it was, although, it looks like everyone else managed to keep their eyes open.]

We had Elizabeth's birthday dinner when we got home:

And then she opened her presents:

We tried to get a picture of the entire family, but Matt and Emi weren't feeling it. Matt sat on the couch, but buried his face behind Elizabeth's back (only his legs are visible—notice the green PJs).

Matt hates having his picture taken, but I asked him very sweetly if he would pose for a picture with his football that I gave him for Christmas. He reluctantly agreed. Sarah was much easier to coax a smile out of. 

I sure love Elizabeth! We have a lot of fun together. I'm dreading the day that my nieces and nephews start leaving home. That day is fast approaching, and it makes me sad to think that I might see them even less than I do now. I guess growing up is what kids do, though, and it's sure better than the alternative!