Clara's 7th

Today is Clara's 7th birthday!

Clara was our 20th grandchild and 8th granddaughter!

She is a very important part of this large family

and, of course, a very important part of this beautiful family.

I wrote about Clara on her birthday last year in this post

and going to that link will tell a lot about her and take you to other links that will show how she's changed 'through the years' so I'll just show a few pictures here

and talk about what's been going on in her life during the past year.   First of all she visited Gulf Shores with her large, extended family over the holidays and she was the only one courageous enough to brave the cold waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

And shortly after they got back to Indiana, Clara became a big sister to Sarah Jane who she not only adores but who she does a great job entertaining when Sarah Jane needs cheering up.

In June she finished kindergarten

and visited Kentucky with her family where she got to spend some time at her favorite activity - swimming.

This summer she moved into a new, large bedroom and started sleeping in these new, large bunk beds.

And in August she met Boots

and groomed him

and rode him.

After she rode Boots, she fed and groomed some of these guys.

And she even took a ride on this pony but I'm pretty sure she liked Boots much better.

And later in August she started first grade.

Clara wants to live on a farm some day.

She loves horses and farms and even helped Chris catch this frog last summer.

She's also a trick driver

but actually prefers when her brother, Eli, helps drive her around.

Speaking of brothers, here she is with her older brother, Noah

Anna was in the picture with her in Gulf Shores but here's another girl Clara loves and gets to spend lots of time with - almost like a sister - Maya.

Last night we celebrated Clara's birthday.

But there is so much more to celebrate about Clara than her birthday.  She's a sweet, fun-loving girl

with a great sense of humor.  She's also athletic and loves to play outside.  Here she is with her second cousin and good friend, Aubrey!

But most of all, she's kind, helpful, and sensitive to the feelings of others.  Clara is one of the nicest girls you could ever meet and she always remembers .... everything.  We are so proud of her and love her beyond measure.  So Happy Birthday, Clara!  We're hoping it was awesome that the coming year is even better!