Girls trip 2011 to St. Augustine

What another great trip to St. Augustine with Violette and Julianne.  Their friendship is something to be cherished and grows every year with our trip.  This year the weather cooperated a bit more, we had a little more time together, and there was even time at Jacksonville Beach. 

Who doesn't like a run at sunset on the beach?

This trip in addition to visiting downtown St. Augustine we took a pirate boat cruise, shopped a lot (including some extra pants for the potty training lady), ate great meals, relaxed at the sunny beach, danced, and had too much laughter to count.


To start Gracie was a huge hit at the airport since she was wearing her purple cowboy boots that she loved, and was a great flier.

Learning the seat belt

Ride'm cowboy

We started the trip in Jacksonville with a little beach time there with Jeff. Gracie wasn't too sure about the ocean at first since we arrived at night she could only hear the crashing waves not seeing what fun the ocean could be.  The next day she changed her mind after some sand time, pony rides up and down the beach on us, and chasing after the birds.  Then we drove down to Vi's place with a pit stop along the way at the carousel.  Gracie couldn't get enough of the ride for her or her baby, you can see it in her lap on the photo. 




In St. Augustine....


Showing Vi the castle book, I love that view

Reading about the sandcastles to build

When we arrived at the condo Gracie needed to think about the sandcastles she wanted to build.  There was a book to give us ideas as to what an impossible sandcastle would look like when it is built by a 3 year old.

 No trip to St. Augustine would complete without something to do with pirates.  This trip we got to actually go on a pirate ship with actual pirates putting on a show.  Of course the highlight of the trip was the mermaid painted on Gracie's face and the sugar-filled lollipop pushed through her usual nap time.   

The ship and new mermaid face paint.

Then we had to continue the sugar high with a trip downtown for some ice cream to help us power through a little window shopping. 

Most days consisted of having our feet in the sand for part of the day at the beach.   Here are our toes enjoying the sand and surf. 

Of course with the four ladies together who wouldn't want to go shopping, okay I have a good idea who wouldn't but we made the best of it.  This is the trip Gracie got a new pair of shorts due to potty training, the ladies got the same dress, and Gracie made friends with Kermit.  The outlet mall people were smart!

Loving the kids time while shopping

The evenings usually consisted of girls time either watching some good chick-flicks, painting nails, gabbing, and of course the fun game night.  This year Gracie introduced Vi & Jules to her love of Glee music videos.  Julianne joined in the fun of Umbrella/Singing in the Rain mix.  

Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh.

These two photos show how much Gracie has grown in one year as well as the difference in weather.  We actually enjoyed a little sweat this trip not sweatshirts.  The second set of photos show how much she has changed compared to the lack of change to the oldest town in the US.  We also had to show proof of her favorite shoes ever...purple cowboy boots.  Always the talk of the town by anyone who sees them. 

 

2011 photo, note the sun hats

2010 photo, note the jackets



2010 photo

2011 Photo

Now to the fun of 2012 where Gigi will be joining.





3rd Birthday celebration

Happy 3rd Birthday to our little lady!  We celebrated her special day on September 17th with a dance party theme.  To set the stage (so to speak) the party ended up being on a rainy colder day, with a little loud tree trimming at the neighbors, and a visit to the Dr in the morning due to Gracie's stye. You can see the stye in most photos, though it didn't stop her having lost of fun. 

None of this seemed to make a difference to the party girl or her guests. 

That is my gift from the family, my own play set?

I can slide in the rain or shine.  It is still fun!

When the guests started to arrive they decorated disks to add to the stage that was set.  Bapa was asked to paint some styrofome to make a stage, he of course did one better and build a stage that he painted black.  We couldn't have asked for anything better for this entertainer!

Which stickers to decorate the discs to be hung around the stage?

A photo together, one of the few times we were busy with friends or family.

Outfits to add to the occasion.

The stage

 We added a few games to entertain everyone, adults included.  Musical chairs, ish, the limbo and some jump rope.  This all continued while kids music played to get everyone up and dancing.  Gracie sang so much her lips were covered with all the glitter from her microphone.

 

 Aunt Michelle made another great cake that fit into the dance party theme so well.  We are lucky to have her in our life to help make celebrates even more special. 

 

The stage was used often by many.

Happy Birthday to You!

Let's celebrate

Another great cake from Aunt Michelle.

Much like her first birthday weather did impact the night, though we made the best of it.  Uncle Brad and Lois had prime seats for the present opening.  She loved the shoes!!!

At the end of the party Bapa had a surprise for the kids, a 3 legged toad.  Gracie had to kiss to the toad to find her prince charming.  When he didn't arrive she decided the next best thing would be to ride her pony without pants in her new Disney shoes.  Who shouldn't experience this fun?

Are you a prince yet?

Happy Trails to you

Gracie's actual birthday included her requested dinner, chicken shawarma and rice, and then her left over cake.  After opening her Dr. kit she had many patients until bed time.  Where does the time go?

September 2011 - Fun

The month was full of new experiences. 

Gracie officially started her dancing career with a fun creative movement/ballet class at the rec center.  It took her a bit of time to warm up to the teacher, though she of course loved the class after she got comfortable with the teacher.

Labor Day weekend was filled with fun in the sun with family and friends.  Bapa bought some new paddle boats to further explore Gracie's pond and beyond.  After searching for, capturing, and swinging with the many toads we further enjoyed time with our friends Juliann, Alvin, Violette, Tom, and Jeff.  So much fun!!

Here toady, toady, toady





Look Ma, I have a toad.





The Coopers on ATVs are pretty funny.

 A funny moment is when Gracie found some join in shaving cream, though she doesn't know that she will use it on her legs and not her face.

Shaving cream is fun!

On the 11th Uncle Brad got us amazing tickets to a winning Rockies game, 10 years after the Sept 11th tragedy that Brad and I were together again for that day.  I remember telling him to turn on the news since planes struck the World Trade Center Building.  Back to the fun of the game, the seats were on the aisle, in the shade, and near so many different food vendors that Uncle Brad kept trying to get Gracie to ask for.  We really had an amazing time with Uncle Brad, we are lucky ladies!

 Another first for the little lady was a trip to the dentist on the 15th.  All of the talking about the good things the dentist does for us made the trip very easy.  She loved the people, the movies the showed, the chocolate flavored cleaner, and especially the two gifts she got since it was close to her birthday.  Our brave little lady.



You are going to have to give this a kiss.



The only time she was minorly scared.  Still did great!

After the birthday party, which will be in the next post, Daddy took Gracie to see Thomas the Train.  She loved the 



Daddy and Gracie fun!



Trains are so much fun!

"Honey please stop dancing on that pole"





August 20111 School starts

August we started to get Gracie ready for school. The potty-trained cutie was so excited to be going to the same school that she had been picking Aaron up at for a year.

One the 14th was a new adventure with something Gracie and I love, thanks to the gift her daddy got us, Gracie's first movie was Glee in 3D with Bapa.  It was amazing to see her experience a movie in the theatre for the first time.  The 3D glasses added a new challenge that wasn't a problem since there was popcorn!  The movie was a great choice too because the constant change in songs helped to keep the attention of the soon to be 3 year old.

 Photos to come:

August 17th was a big day, the first day of preschool! Gracie was such a big girl on the new adventure...school. Her comfort level in the school, wonderful teachers (esp Ms. Olsen), and great classmates that she doesn't have any issues with us leaving her for the day. Bitter sweet for Mommy and Daddy since our little girl is growing up.





Boots are made for walking, sideways

Cam warmed her up to Rams, her preschool mascot

Ready to start the day

Then we took a nice long weekend up at the farm with a side trip to Estes Park. Gracie enjoyed her first ride on a pony named Duke that she wanted to rename "ABIGAIL"

3 Amigos

Duke / Abigail