Happy 11th Birthday Baby Kate

In honor of our youngest girl Katherine, we thought it would be fun to highlight this AMAZING girl with the top 11 things we love about her. Thanks for the idea Michele;)


1. She came into this world much anticipated. She was late, unlike her sisters, and her mommy thought she would never come! The doctor finally agreed to induce, so on a beautiful spring day March 19th, in Evanston, Illinois we walked to the nearby hospital and anxiously awaited the birth of our precious Katherine. Her sisters couldn't get enough of her. Analisa viewed her as a real live baby doll. With her big saucer eyes and her round cherub face we were instantly smitten by this sweet little angel.

2. At six weeks Katherine was given a blessing where we were given insight on her mission on earth. We were told that she was given the gift of being a nurturer, comforter and healer to those around her. A ray of sunshine to her family and friends. And that she has been and continues to be. As her parents, it's been fascinating to watch her develop these gifts all on her own.

3. Though she may be small and petite, this girl is anything but shy. She is not afraid of anything or anyone. She is always the first to volunteer. This can do spirit radiates as she is often the first to be chosen out of a crowd. Here she is at the Arts Festival chosen to be a magicians assistant and also hangin out with one her favorite Harry Potter characters.

4. No one in our family (except for Papi) loves birthdays and holidays as much as Katherine! One Christmas Eve the question was asked, "What's the true meaning of Christmas?" At the sweet age of 4 her hand shot up as she exclaimed, "I know, I know... PWESENTS... no, no, I mean, Jesus." We laughed and laughed. Poor Kate is still teased to this day about that comment.

5. Last year we were admonished by our Bishop to re-read the Book of Mormon as a family. As we sat around the dining room table every night Katherine with her red pencil in hand proceeded to highlight practically every word in the book. While it got on her older sisters nerves that she was highlighting such things as "and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea".... it was meaningful to her. She loves the scriptures. Take a peak at her book and you'll see just how much.

6. Katherine enjoys sewing and making gifts for people. She spent 2 months making a darling pleated apron for her cousin Ariana, a puppy dog blanket for her friend Emma (cause she's allergic to dogs), BYU pajama pants for Dad, dinosaur jammies for Samuel, the list goes on and on. The grandmas at Sew-Right love having her join them for lunch before sewing class.

7. As anyone in our home can attest, Kate is the tidiest of all the Nielson children. Her bed is always made with her webkinz family arranged just so. You will rarely see laundry on her floor. It's so nice to have someone another than Mom doing the tiding up.

8. Along with making her bed every morning Katherine is faithful at practicing her violin every morning. She is a beautiful, 1st generation violinist. She surpassed her mom years ago in note reading hence its up to her to figure out the notes and pretty much practices all on her own. She spends lots of time on tonalization and scales which is the not so fun part of practicing but does it faithfully simply because her teacher expects it. Her gorgeous tone is a testimony to this. We are so proud of her talent on the violin.

9. If you've ever heard the saying, "Dance like nobody's watching" well she was born with that saying stamped on her forehead. The girl can boogie. This love for dance landed her the lead last year in the Children's Dance Theatre's production of The Dream Stealer.

10. Katherine didn't make her sojourn to this earth alone. She came with her sweet cousin Ariana who proceeded her by a couple months. Even as babies these two have been kindred. They are two peas in a pod. They were even baptized together. It's been so fun to watch these two teach us all what being a true friend is all about.

11. One of the sweetest things about Katherine is her deep ability to love. She especially shares a special relationship with her mama. Even if we are out on a date to a movie, we can always count on a voice mail on our cell phone from Katherine saying, "well, hope you had fun I just wanted to call and say good night. Love you!" We always tease her by saying she's gonna have to find a husband who won't mind being neighbors with us.

Happy Birthday sweetheart! We love and adore you! Thank you for being who you are and brightening up our lives.