Beth's 16th Birthday

Our Beautiful Beth - photo by Kimmy

On Friday 19th March (just 2 day’s after Rachael’s birthday) our Beth turned 16, our baby 16?  Now that is scary. 

Present opening 

Beth was lucky enough to have the day off school (a teacher training day) so she didn’t have to get up early to open her presents which she did in our bed with the help of Josh and Rachael.

The crazy wig Party in celebration of Beth's 16th Birthday
Can you work out who is who?

We had a busy day preparing for Beth’s party that evening 'A Wig Party', with Steve and Beth decorating the cultural call at our local church and Kimmy and I preparing food.

Beth trying to hit the Pinata (Steve on the chair)

The party started at 7pm and was attended by about 60 family and friends many from Beth’s school. It was a fun evening enjoyed by all, we played games, ate good food and danced.

Beth with her 2 birthday cakes

Beth had 2 birthday cakes, a traditional English sponge cake sandwiched together butter cream and jam with fondant icing the other was a chocolate fudge cake from Costco.

Musical chairs

We went to bed exhausted at about 1.30am, but having had a fab day.

Look at those eyes

Well Beth (or Betty Biddles or Betty Boo our nick names for Beth) has brought us a lot of happiness over the last 16 years and we knew pretty early on that she was a special spirit.

Beth with Jess and Aaron

Beth was a beautiful baby with huge brown eyes, blonde hair and a beautiful smile.  I really wanted to be able to post more photos of her but I don't have hardly any of her of as a young child on my computer and the actual photos are in our container on a ship which will should get in the next few weeks. So Grannie kindly scanned some that she had and emailed them to me.

Jess and Aaron just loved their little sister

Beth was loved by her brother and sister Aaron and Jess, but by the time Beth was 9 and a half it was just her and us, as Jess and Aaron and left to study in America (she was actually 7 when Aaron left for his mission).

Sisters

From a very young age we knew Beth had an affinity with animals and at the age of 7 she leaned to ride and had her own pony Blue.

Playing schools

This last year has been one of sadness, change and great adventures for us all but particularly for Beth.  The sadness of leaving the home that she had lived in for 10 years, leaving her beloved horses that really were her friends, saying goodbye to family and friends, moving to another country and changing schools.

Beth and Cyril - What a team!

There were lots of tears from all of us at times and I remember distinctly the day we took the horses to their new home, so sad and very upsetting! Steve reminded us that often some of the hardest things we do require great sacrifice that eventually bring us the greatest joy.

Just look at the bond between these two

This was confirmed when someone recently asked Beth if she enjoyed school and her reply was 'I love it!' Well she has never said that of school prior to attending the school she is at now 'American Heritage of South Jordan', in fact I would go as far as to say she hated school.

Just gorgeous

She is very happy to be able to now see Aaron and Jess and their growing families on a regular basis and she is also now leasing a horse called Paloma, which she is very excited about.