Happy Birthday Gracie Girl!

Well, our little Gracie finally turned 3! I've been saying that she's 3 for a while, but now it's official! Bryant and I waited for her to join our family for so long, and it seems like the last three years have gone by in a flash in some ways! On the other hand, I almost can't remember life without her.

Gracie has been SO SO SO excited for her birthday, She got really into birthdays about 4 or 5 months ago, and the reality of HER having her own birthday was just so wonderful to her! She's been talking about what she wanted to do for her birthday for over a month now, and the last week or so, she's gotten up in the middle of the night to ask if it was her birthday yet. It was nice for her to plan her own birthday really....All we had to do was what she wanted...which was all very doable, so it worked out great, and she had a fabulous birthday weekend!

On Saturday we left early to go to the Houston Zoo. She's been wanted to go to the zoo since we got here. We had so much fun, especially because one of my very favorite mission companions and her husband and two very cute little boys just moved to the Houston area, and they met us as the zoo! Gracie LOVED having friends with her, and I loved catching up with my old blast from the past! I'm so excited they live so close now!

Anyway, we spent over 4 hours at the zoo. Here are some of the fun pictures Bryant took with his fancy new camera!

Brushing the goat at the petting zoo area. A miracle--she usually freaks out if they get too close to her!



Playing the Drums with Spencer and Josh



Could it be a match made in heaven? I'd totally be okay with that!



My sweet little Kate! She was such a trooper!



The Birthday Girl! Isn't she Cute?!



The Chimps



I just thought this was funny! She didn't get just putting her face in the hole!



Thanks Shauna, Richard, Spencer and Josh for coming to the zoo with us!

After the zoo, we went to our hotel. And we all took showers, because we were literally drenched from the hot humid SouthEast Texas weather! And the girls took a much needed nap!

And THEN...we went to a pre-season football game! Something else Gracie really wanted to do (as long as popcorn was involved at the game) and something Bryant was more than happy to make happen for her! We saw the Texans and the Saints play. It was fun!

A picture of the field!



Gracie and her Daddy



Gracie and her Mommy



We were all EXHAUSTED once the days was over. But it was a dream come true for the Birthday Girl, and it was worth every minute of it!

We drove back early Sunday morning in time for (most of) church. And then we had homemade cupcakes decorated with sprinkles and Cinderella toys, and she got to open her presents.

Ready to Blow out the Candles



Opening Presents with her friend Aubrey



Her new bike! She's been asking for a bike for a while now. She's excited to go ride it tonight! (It's gonna be our FHE activity!)



I think Gracie had a very memorable, fun, wonderful 3rd Birthday!

We sure love you Gracie Girl! I just don't know how we ever lived without you! Happy Birthday!