Gracie's Birthday Party!

Even though yesterday was Gracie's birthday, today was her party!

It was a busy day. First up was to go pick up the cupcakes. For a couple of years now, I have used what I call the "cake lady" for my cake needs. Since Gracie's party was at a bouncy house called Island Hopp'n, I decided to go with a tropical theme and here is what the cake lady made. Don't they look yummy?

Of course Gracie wanted to eat one right away.

So then after some naps, it was time to put on our tropical wear. Presley and Evie were super excited for their first trip to a bouncy house.

And here we are ready to go.

As soon as we got there we had open jump. Gracie couldn't wait to start bouncing. Auntie Amy hopped in too.

We had the place to ourselves to it was nice.

Even Presley and Evie got in on the action.

Gracie decided she wanted to race Daddy down the slide.

But she stopped to get a quick pic with her Mommy and Daddy.
Gracie invited all her friends to help her celebrate. You know her boyfriend Scotty was there.

And Jackson came too with Auntie Anne and Uncle Mark. Big day for Jackson...his first birthday party!

Auntie E came too and helped watch Presley.
Cousin Jen and Addie came and Addie had no trouble making new friends. She even put some moves on 'ol Scotty boy!

Levi came too. He is Scotty's brother.

Allie and her big brother Jared came too. Allie's mommy Dana was there but couldn't really jump with us because she is having a baby anyday now!

Auntie Lindsay and Jessica had fun too.
Olivia had fun too because she just started walking a few weeks ago!

Holly and Jackie had a ball too. I don't think anyone kept up with Miss Jackie. She was a girl on the move!

Daddy decided to take Presley down the slide and he loved it!
Uncle Mark decided that he needed some slide time too. I see years of boucy house fun in his future!
Even Grandpa managed to climb up the big slide to see how fast he could go.


All the kids had fun, in fact so much fun that we could barely get them to sit still for this picture!
After boucning, it was time to eat and open presents.


Since Gracie was the birthday girl, she got to wear a special outfit.
We sang "Happy Birthday".

And everyone dove into their cupcakes. I think they were a big hit!
Then it was time for presents. You think Gracie got enough gifts?

Everyone was very generous and she got all kinds of goodies like clothes, some Princess stuff, a cupcake maker, some art supplies and crafts, building blocks, a ladybug pillow, puzzles, games, and a backpack filled with even more goodies!

Finally it was time to go. A great big hug and "thank you" to all our family and friends that came. We hope you had fun!

Gracie's 3rd Birthday

Happy Birthday Gracie!

Today my baby girl turned 3! I still can't believe it. Time is just flying by! To celebrate her special day, we had a few gifts lying out for Miss Grace to open when she woke up this morning. For one, I made her a book about herself. It's really cute. I put in pictures of her doing all kinds of things that she loves like baking, bouncy houses, dressing up, friends, family. The book was written so that it simple to understand and it sounds like she is the one telling the story. Anyways, she LOVES it.

And of course Daddy snuck in some Marvel birthday gifts. Gracie liked those too.

After going to Panera, and getting a chocolate chip muffin, we headed up to Gracie's favorite place...the ZOO!! Here she is on the way up. She has already learned how to ask "are we there yet?"

We made it there! And this was the first trip with all five of our family members in attendance!

First, we went to see the new dolphin show. It was ok but Presley sure loved it!

Next stop, Gracie and Evie wanted to pose as some animals.

By that time, it was lunch time. We found a grassy area where the twins could spread out and play for a bit.

Evie decided that she loved big sissy's sunglasses and decided to put them on.

But Gracie didn't care, she was just showing off her "birthday girl" shirt.

Since Gigi is in town visiting, she came too.

Presley and Evie tuckered out shortly after lunch but we still had more zoo to see!

So Daddy put Gracie on his shoulders and off we went to search for more animals.

We came across this kangaroo and stopped to pose with him.

And Grandma and Grandpa found this aardvark and posed with him.

Here we are caravaning it through the zoo.

After seeing the bears, giraffes, and zebras, we had one last stop to make.
Daddy and Gigi couldn't wait to see what was next.

It was the merry-go-round! Gracie rode it not once, not twice, but 3 times!!
The first time she rode the panda bear of course.

The second time, she rode the zebra with Grandma.

And the third time, it was back to her favorite, the panda.

Then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner, presents, and cake. Gracie's dinner pick was another favorite..pancakes!

And then she got to start opening some presents. She got her very own stamping set that she immediately had to do with Gigi.

Presley and Evie had fun watching their big sis open her gifts.

And Gracie also got some new puzzles. These are one of her favorite things. And they're not the board puzzles either. Another sign that my baby girl is growing up! She can actually do these by herself! I'm amazed.

Then we took a little trip outside because there were more surprises waiting out there. For one.......

Grandma and Grandpa got her a power wheel! She liked it at first but then didn't understand how to steer very well so we will have to work at that one. I have to say that this thing is sweet. It has a real working radio and is a 2-seater so Presley and Evie can join Gracie for a little spin sometime.

We drove the car around the corner to find.....

a bouncy house! Gracie LOVES these things. In fact, her birthday party is at one this year. I figured this would be good for the winter too. It will fit inside......if we ever get a bigger house......

But before we headed back inside, Presley decided that he better take a spin though.

Gracie still had some more presents to open. Auntie Amy gave her an easy bake oven with all kinds of goodies that they are going to bake. She will really like this.

And again, Daddy went and bought the Marvel edition of Chutes and Ladders. Gracie is familiar with this game as she plays it at Grandma and Grandpa's so now she is super excited to play with Spidey, Hulk and Wolverine.

But because I want her to be girly-girl too, she got some jewelry and her first makeup set!

And last by not least, the only thing Gracie ever told us she wanted for her birthday this year was roller skates. She said she wanted to "skate real fast." So she got a pair and had to try them on. She tried them once and decided that she didn't like them and took them off. Something else we will have to work at .

It was a great day. I couldn't have asked for anything better. Happy birthday my Gracie Girl. May all your birthday wishes come true. Many more to come! Love you!