Still the Favorite? Happy 18th Talia!

If you want to call Talia from my phone, the quickest way is to ask Siri to "call my favorite child."  Yes, this cutie saved her contact as "Your Favorite Child."  But mid-November she had to give up this elite distinction.  She turned 18 and officially become an adult!  Naturally we celebrated with Poppa Pancakes.

Opening some lovely cards.

This gal loves her popcorn!  But what's in the giant package?

A gorgeous pre-lit tree!  For her eighteenth birthday, Talia wanted to decorate the house for Christmas. Our tree definitely needed an upgrade, so some day when she has a place of her own, this tree will be hers.  In the meantime, we 're so glad she's willing to share.  By the way Brooklyn, please know that the very first ornament was placed in your honor!

Look out world, this brilliant adult is on her way!  :)

Continuing on with Talia awesomeness--she crocheted this phenomenal sweater for Brooklyn on her mission.  It may have cost a small fortune to mail, but it was totally worth it.

A process photo.

Talia crocheted this Swiftie cardigan as well.  Love it!

I am in love with her art too.  Papa Kay, what do you think?

This one of Annika on ECMO is so powerful.

Wings to fly.  It's hard to see in yourself sometimes, but this girl is overflowing with talent and creativity.

Not all of Talia's creations are quite as classy.  As an adult, she could now officially touch our Elf on the Shelf.  She dressed Fisby in a T.S. bodysuit and boots, complete with the giant Swiftie Shell propped up by an angel.

If I may continue on with the Talia brag-fest, she is also doing so well with violin!  By Senior year, lots of kids burn out and take a pause on their instruments, but Talia is still studying with her amazing teacher David Langr and playing with the Youth Area Chamber Players.

Here she is performing Chaconne by Antonia Vitali.  It was fantastic!

Moving on to her athletic side, here she is playing Ultimate this fall.

NomiAnn and Callie came to cheer her on.  Annika was most excited about the sandwiches.

Talia also ran cross country this fall.  It wasn't her very best season--I think she was exhausted and a little overtrained from combining Ultimate, Cross Country, and every thing else.  Still, I think she had a great time (except, perhaps the Sugarhouse meet.)  She and Eli even traveled to California for the Foot Locker West Regional Cross Country championships.  If anyone's on TikTok, I here there's a great video of Talia and her teammates coming out of a suitcase...

While this year may not have been Talia's best cross country season, it was a fantastic season for Eli.  At the end of the season, he came home with a plaque for Rookie of the Year at West High.  Eli's legs may not be the longest, but he is super speedy and works hard.  Congrats, Easy E!

Like his sisters, Eli is also an artist.  He creates the coolest stuff in his metalworking class with Ms. Delfin!  He made this bracelet for Brooklyn.

"Hear Him"--inviting us to seek personal revelation and inspiration from God.  It's the perfect message not only for a missionary, but for us all.  I especially love the inscription. 

Eli likewise found inspiration from Papa Kay and made this sculpture in his honor with the words "Keep Smiling!" in multiple languages.

Moving on to Annika, her art is eclectic, but almost always involves an animal or a dragon.  I like this kitty cat that she created along with all of the accessories and food to keep it fed and occupied.

Wrapping up with a few pictures of Hermana Wheeler en España.  Brooklyn, we love you so and are so proud of the light you share with the people in Spain!

So Talia, happy 18th!  You have amazing siblings ahead and behind, but please know that you are one of a kind and we love you so much!  You never fail to make us giggle every time you ask us to hold your foot.  I know Senior year is full of tough decisions, but I feel confident that whatever path you choose will be wonderful because you work so hard to make wonderful happen.  Thanks for sharing so much joy!