Happy 16th Birthday Keely!

Keely feeding the giraffes.

Showing off her Sweet 16 necklace from Mawmaw and Pawpaw.

Loving her birthday zebra.

Wow, 16 yrs old! Keely is such a sweet girl who is happiest playing outside with the dogs or inside on the couch watching her favorite show, and watch the same episode time after time and be just as happy it's on for the 20th time as she was the first! She would rather eat icecream than anything else and will often steal her brothers if they aren't careful! She is also the only person who can take a bite out of every apple in the bowl without anyone noticing! Watching her grow and progress has been quite an experience. She is so smart, yet stubborn enough to only show you what she wants to. That is usually when you least expect it or in ways that catch you off guard, when she's doing something sneaky!:) She has most of her family wrapped around her fingers, and toes for that matter. And she knows it too. She makes an impression on everyone she meets from drs and nurses who have cared for her and then years later recognize her, and teachers and aides who have connected with her and been able to to reach her and teach her things and care for her beyond our expectations. She loves her brothers so much and she is very lucky to have 3 brothers who are so protective and take such good care for her, even when she is beating them up! She is also a daddys' girl and believe it or not at 16, still gets so excited when he gets home from work. While some days are more trying than others, it has been a blessing to be her parents the last 16 yrs. She keeps us on our toes and guessing what's next pretty much day after day, and has taught us lessons of tolerance and compassion and simple happiness!

She is our Angel!