Happy Birthday to me!

I've been meaning to post this video of Grace singing happy birthday to herself. Pretty darn adorable!

 

 

Step up for Cancer

This past Sunday Brian and some friends did a run/walk called Step up for Cancer. It is an event where you climb over 1700 stairs to raise money for cancer. There are over 30 cancer organizations that take part and you get to decide where your money goes. Brian's friend Mark suggested they do this event given that cancer has touched so many of ours lives. Grace & I went for moral support. Grace had fun cheering on the runners and shaking a cow bell. We were very proud of our friends who did this in the heat and it was truly a heart warming experience. We watched I believe he is 10 or 12 year old boy finish the over 1700 stairs to a cheering crowd. He has battled cancer 5 times now in his short life. It was heart warming and so real that so many face cancer on a daily basis, even when so young. 

It was a great event and one I'm sure we will do again. 

Grace's 3 Year Photos

We had Grace's 3 year old photos taken a bit early since our favorite photographer was in the process of moving. Here are some of our favorite shots. All photos by Ann Goldenberg Photography. 

Harvest time!

We started a garden earlier this summer in the hopes that we might get some food from it and have it be a fun thing for Grace to learn about. We planted tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers and pumpkin. So far we have gotten about 3 tomatoes, 3 strawberries and 3 cucumbers. One pumpkin is growing fast and I saw yesterday that another one appears to be forming as well. It will be good to have two pumpkins just in case baby brother comes early! Grace is always excited when I say there is a new strawberry ready to pick - doesn't happen often obviously, but maybe someday those berries will take off. 

Grace turns 3!!!!

It is hard to believe that our little baby is a sassy, charming, flirty, crazy and loving 3 year old now! Her birthday fell on a Sunday this year so we were able to have her party then too which was fun. It was our first official large gathering at our new home. It was fun to show off our house and watch Grace and all of her friends have fun outside playing in the pool and running through the sprinkler. 

We started off the morning opening presents. 

Trying out her new baseball tee. 

Time for cinnamon rolls. Getting cheesey with GG. 

Ready to party!

Had to take her own photos of her party. 

Cake time. 

And more presents! She got tons of stuff and from what we have let her open package wise so far she is loving them all especially her play-doh, finger paints and mermaids. 

Relaxing with GG. 

Grace had a great birthday and we thank everyone who was here to celebrate with us!

Fourth of July 2012

Fourth of July this year was a lot of fun. Brian's mom (Nana) was here and we got to go check out the neighborhood parade. This was Grace's first parade that she got to be in. We had fun decorating her wagon and then ending the parade at a nearby park where we got to have ice cream - Grace was thrilled! 

All ready for the parade!

Having fun with Nana. 

Here they come!

Love this photo of her - so happy!

Ice cream at 10am? Why not?!

Trying out the teeter totter. 

A trip to the park would be no fun for Grace without swinging. 

The neighborhood celebration had face painters, but the line was super slow and long so I promised Grace I would paint her face when we got home. I found some lipstick and drew stars. She loved them. 

Grace had lots of fun with Nana. Nana took her to the American Girl doll store where she was lucky enough to get two new babies and some outfits. Grace is loving her gifts from Nana, Great-Grandma, Aunty Rachel & Uncle Bob. Here she is loving on her baby. 

Smiling with Nana. 

We had a great holiday and visit with Nana even if there were no fireworks this year due to all of the fires and heat. It was so fun to be in a neighborhood this year that has activities for the kids. Grace had a blast and we look forward to many more fun fourth of July's!