Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Hannah Gray’s birthday party

We are SO blessed with such an amazing community of friends here. It begins to overwhelm me at times like birthday parties where friends come over to love on and celebrate our kids. We are so thankful for each and everyone of them.

IMG_0066 IMG_0069

whale cake topper and cupcake pops in process

IMG_0188

the spread

IMG_0190

her cake (she asked for a pink whale)

IMG_0191

cupcakes

IMG_0194

For the morning of her birthday, I had hung the birthday banner as well as her whale banner. She told me, “tank you momma for my whales. they my favorite”.

IMG_0196

balloon flowers from the farmer’s market earlier that day

IMG_0199

tickle bug with mr. craig

IMG_0202

Hannah Gray started to get embarrassed when everyone gathered to sing

IMG_0206

IMG_0211

IMG_0215

IMG_0224

IMG_0225

IMG_0227

IMG_0236

What a fun day!

Hannah Gray’s 3rd Birthday!

3 years?! Yikes! My baby girl is turning into a big kid! She’s beginning to lose that sense of little, toddler like still, into a fully, clearly (most of the time), communicative, opinionated, full of life, little kiddo!

Some reflections on our sweet Hannah Gray…

-She has become more shy recently until she really warms up, feels like you are interested in her and know her. But once she reaches these places with you, you are her best friend and she will remember every detail of your life that you share with her. She will ask about you regularly and include you in her prayers and won’t forget you.

-For being shy, she’s got this crazy adventuresome spirit. There are times where she isn’t afraid to conquer the big kid climbing wall at the park, but the next day could be hesitant to do the little kid slide. You just never know.

-She’s super sincere and sweet spirited. She will regularly thank you on her own, with no outside initiation for something that she received that’s she’s genuinely appreciative for. “Tank you Momma fo makin’ my yunch…”.

-Boy, she is strong willed. We pray that this is something that comes under the strength and power of self control to be a huge blessing in her life.

-She is funny! She’s developing her own little sense of humor and jokes with us.

-She catches us off guard by the things she retains from previous conversations or things she has overheard. She is extremely perceptive, sensitive and compassionate.

We are crazy about this little girl and pray for huge blessings in her life!

 IMG_0071

When she woke up, she opened her door to see a huge bday banner hanging across her door. She had this magical look in her eye and couldn’t believe that was for her (“fo me? fo my birfday?!”). I told her there was a present waiting for her downstairs at her seat, and she stripped and ran downstairs to open her bday outfit.

IMG_0080 

SO excited to open her PURPLE CROCS!!

IMG_0083 

feelin’ so pretty

IMG_0088

sweet sister

IMG_0092 

…practicing her “three”

IMG_0096

nailing her three! (I asked her if she knew that she was three now and she got super excited and yelled, “yay!!” then looked at Nana and said, “I don’t know what I did to turn 3!”

IMG_0102 IMG_0104

At the zoo to celebrate her day. Tenley standing on her own at the penguin exhibit. I think she takes after her sister in this one being her favorite.IMG_0131

IMG_0111

A loving sister

 IMG_0128

now a concerned and protective sister

IMG_0134

happy girl

IMG_0146

chocolate pudding (it’s actually yummy avocado) snack. Hey Bubba!

IMG_0148

Daddy got home after bathtime, so we went to the presents…

IMG_0151

excited cheese. “I SO cited!!”

IMG_0158

YAY, a new Hannah Doggie!! (her original has had stitches in the chin and is just so well loved. Time to retire her to my keepsake box… :) )

IMG_0172

IMG_0176 IMG_0186 Making a cake and listening to Nana read.

What a fun day!

Nana’s visit

Nana came in for a few days that included Hannah Gray’s 3rd birthday and her party. We were so glad to have her here to celebrate with us! We were able to go and see several fun things, so here are some pictures from our great time together! Thanks for coming Nana!!!

IMG_3164

At Snoqualmie Falls

IMG_3166

IMG_3169

IMG_3172 IMG_3174

rolling down the hill

IMG_3177

IMG_3188

taking Nana to “our” beach by our house

IMG_3183

birthday haircut

IMG_3200

She got wet, so we took off her skirt and she didn’t seem to mind

fun days in seattle…

We met some friends down at the aquarium one morning and it was a beautiful day. We ended up just hanging out by the pier for awhile and got some cute pictures.

P5240609

P5240613

P5240615 P5240618 \

later that night, once daddy was finished with work, we took Tuk to the dog beach for a swim. Hannah Gray had fun playing in the tall grass and cheered on Tuk from the shore.

P5240619

At our beach making footprints. We actually saw several seals just off the shore while we were making our project

P5170591

beautiful, picnic lunch at the zoo

P5200601