Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Gabrielle Turns Three!

So for Gabrielle's 3rd birthday we had an extravaganza! It started by going to the Denver Zoo at 9:00 am. In attendance was my mom and dad, Guy, me of course, Nick, Nick's friend Angel (whom Gabrielle loves!), Laila, and Gabs. Aunt Joanna couldn't go because of her recent surgery and we missed her. Here is Gabrielle on her dad's shoulders looking at the giraffes.


This is Nick and Angel.
My mom, dad, and Gabrielle looking at an exhibit.
Laila peeking at her driver (me). But don't let this picture fool you, she barely rode in the stroller and much preferred to be carried. She was fascinated by the animals and wanted to pet them.


Gabrielle got in free and had a coupon to ride the carousel. That's her grandmother beside her.


Gabs again and there is Angel. Angel had hurried on the carousel to get Gabrielle the leopard. She's very sweet to Gabs.
Nick chose a dolphin to ride on.
After the zoo we went home and Gabrielle and Laila took naps. I ran around trying to get ready for her party. She had a few balloons, one was a big lion head. She thought it was very cool. We had everyone over for a bbq. So it was the same crew as the zoo with some additions. Uncle Scott and Aunt Joanna were there as well as Uncle Dennis. Angel's mom Leah. We ate hamburgers and hot dogs. My mom made homemade potato salad and dad had bought some fresh picked sweet corn in Kansas. It was yummy!
Present time! I was very impressed with Gabrielle. She thanked everyone for her presents and had so much fun opening them. She was even excited about the clothes. She seemed to appreciate everything and didn't get greedy.
Laila offering some assistance in opening the presents. I can't wait till her birthday!

Gabrielle got a bike! She loved it.
Had to get a butt shot of Guy. hehehe
In case you are wondering. Guy is wearing a tie because Gabrielle wanted him to be a prince and thought that prince's should wear ties. Guy even let her pick out the tie. He was a good daddy helping her with pedaling and steering up and down our block.

After bike riding it was on to cake and ice cream. Her cake was an elephant. That was what she had requested.
She blew out her candles (with a little subtle help from daddy).
Mmmm good. She shoveled it down.
Laila managed to force some down as well. Gabrielle had picked out cookies and cream ice cream.
Nick, Angel and Angel's mom Leah.
Dad, Grandma, and Gabrielle.
Gabrielle told grandma that this was the greatest birthday ever. Everyone left around 8pm. A long but happy birthday. It was a lot of work but so worth it. Now my little 2 year old is three and growing. I love her so much and am thankful for getting to help guide her through this life. I love both my children and enjoy raising them with the help of my husband. So here's to many more birthday's!!

Playtime!

Before we got Laila I had posted that I couldn't wait for her and Gabrielle to play together in Gab's tent. I've got my wish. They run and jump in the tent and then I'm suppose to say, "Where is Gabrielle and Laila? I can't find them." (they have me so well trained). Then after I do this a while. Laila and Gabrielle pop out the door smiling and Gabs says, "Here we are!" It's great fun and they enjoy it
Also they just hang out in there and play. Apparently Gabs had to take this call. Her fans are so demanding.

This is a tunnel that we've had for a while and I got out for the girls. It was a little dangerous when they tried to pass each other in it. It's not that big. But they liked it.


Then there is dress up time. Gabs loves to be either a princess or witch. She switches back and forth. I'm trying to encourage the princess over the witch. She enjoys being mean too much.

Notice the wand in this picture. She likes to caste spells as either a princess or a witch. She yells out "SPELL!" really loud.


Here's poor Laila being tortured by Aunt Kate. She's so small the clothes just fell off of her so I used a clothes pin to hold them up. I was greatly amused and she tolerated me.

I love this picture. Laila looks like she's thinking, "What the heck Aunt Kate?!" Gabs is just loving it.

Even Nick got in on the fun! What a pretty princess. This should be worth something for blackmail in his teenage years. HEHEHE!

Estes Park

Well I'm late posting this but we went to Estes Park for a Saturday to relax with our little family, Scott, Joanna and Laila. We had a really nice time. We took a scenic route and enjoyed the mountains. Gabrielle calls them "her mountains". After all, it is her world and we're just living in it. When we got to Estes we took the tram to the mountain top and fed the chipmunks and ground squirrels peanuts. For those of you who haven't been there, the chipmunks and ground squirrels will come up to you and take the peanuts right out of your hand. There are hundreds of them that just hang out there and get fed all day long. Nick of course loves it and is good at sitting still so they'll come up. Gabs was old enough to do it this year and did a really good job with some coaching. She was so excited that they came to her. Before we even got there she decided that one of them was her pet and it was named Chippy. And every single one we saw was that one named Chippy. Like I said, her world. We did some shopping in Estes because they have the best candy store there that makes fresh pecan turtles and fudge! Gabs loved the fudge and Nick got a huge sucker. I hammered the turtles. They never had a chance. Then we ate lunch at a local place. We were very disappointed in it and will try something else next time we visit. But all in all a nice relaxing trip. I love living so close to the mountains!

Gabrielle and Guy on the tram

Guy, Gabrielle, and Nick in the tram

Joanna, Laila, and Scott

Gabrielle

Nick relaxing at the mountain top

Me with Nick