Grace's Birthday Celebration!!!

Well, she's finally two. And holy cow, she had about 28 people at her birthday party!! What a way to celebrate, huh? She absolutely LOVED it!
Sadly, I forgot the new piping bag and decoration tips for her cake at home, so I had to do this writing with a sandwich bag...blah. But I guess it has to do. Next year, I'll definitely outdo myself to make up for this one!!
Grace was SO excited and confused as to what was going on when we sang to her! She just didn't understand why everyone was singing the same thing at the same time!!

Look how little she looks!!! My big girl is 2 now!!
The rocking chair that Grandpa Hildreth made for her. Isn't it beautiful? And she's the first grandchild to receive a homemade chair like this too!

Grace trying to eat off her plate without using her hands...but she just couldn't do it!!

What a good girl eating her cake so nicely...it didn't last long though!!!
And afterwards...what a sugar rush huh?!
One side of the group that was there for her birthday...
And the second side of the group :) I LOVED having so many people there for her!!

All in all, a great birthday celebration. And holy cow I can't believe she's already 2. Sixteen more years and she's gonna be an adult...I hope that goes by slowly!!

Amanda

Grace's PT today

Grace had physical therapy today with her new therapist Ms. Lisa, and I'd say it went pretty well!!

Here's what she accomplished today:

1. Walking with a walker
2. Turning her walker (front wheels are free moving, not locked)
3. Kicking a ball while standing
   
4. Kicking a ball while standing with her walker
5. Bending down to pick up a ball in her walker
6. Bending down to get a ball with Moms help
7. Rolling a ball
8. Throwing a ball
9. Carrying one bowling pin while walking
10. Carrying one bowling pin IN EACH HAND while walking
11. Carrying a ball WITH BOTH HANDS while walking!

Lots accomplished in one day, eh?

And now for some pictures!!

Grace is working on "putting in." She knows how to do it already, but that's into a box, rather than into a small spot such as this! Those are the bowling pins she carried!
Reaching HIGH TO THE SKY!! This stretches her back, and makes her straighten her back as well!
And Daddy was the photographer with this picture!! Caught her in the act walking!

Amanda

Grace's video of her Walking!

She still can't walk completely, but she does these amazing long walks which just impress us to no amount!!! Just watch, and be SURPRISED!!!



And then below is her getting into her high chair with a little help. If I would have put it all the way down, she could have done it on her own!

And then the last one is her walking again. Of course, I had a darn water bottle in her way, otherwise she'd have walked the whole way!! And then when she actually gets going good, she end up in the dark hallway!! But you get the idea! Way to go Grace!!!

Amanda

Grace's MESS!!

8-22-11

Well, Grace has learned how to open ziploc bags...not good!! Of course, it would be good if we were there, watching and helping her...so this didn't happen!!

All the pretzels everywhere...but at least she was able to get herself a snack instead of having to wait on us!!

Amanda

Visiting the Head of Warm River in Idaho

9-1-11

This was a fun trip :) It was pretty warm, but we took care of that by playing in the water!!

Grace and Mommy. I know I look goofy but the sun as SO bright!! I LOVE this smile, and hairstyle and everything about Grace!!

Daddy and Grace climbing up the spring of Warm River!
Shew, it was definitely not warm, but Grace didn't care!!

This is what it looked like away from the spring...beautiful!
Brad went up to refill our water bottle with fresh CLEAN spring water. It was SO GOOD!
Daddy and Grace playing in the water. Mommy didn't get in...it was too cold!

And one more goofy face before we say goodbye!!

Amanda

Grace in Beautiful Montana!

July 1-5th, 2011
Grace LOVES flowers, and so what better than to put her in the middle of a bunch of them!!
Here's Grace in the middle of some beautiful flowers :) I LOVE IT!!
She was so delicate with the plants, and I was just so excited to see her spend her time slowly.

And then in a bunch of dandelions :) I love her smile here...such peace within that smile!
And then comes the VROOM VROOM!! Yes, that's really what she says as she points towards the door. She wants to GO!!
And of course, when we're on vacation, we have to be sure she gets to help drive the tractor!!! She was SO impressed with the huge wheels!
Daddy and Grace driving the tractor with a beautiful Montana background!
I think this picture is absolutely priceless!! I LOVE HER SMILE!!
Just an every day girl doin' her chores with Daddy taggin' along!

Just a wonderful trip once again to visit family in Montana!

Amanda

Visiting a special spot

Before Grace and I headed into the great yonder towards our new home, we had to go visit a very special spot of ours. We share this spot with a very close family of ours, and were so happy to go see it one more time before we left... 6/27/11

We love you Little Lily

And will always keep you close to our hearts.

Amanda

2 Year Old PICTURES!!!

Can you believe I finally figured out I could just upload pictures at the computer? So this is definitely going to be a photo CRAZY post!!! These are her day before 2 year old pictures I took this morning!!!

My sweetheart on her horse! Look how big she's gotten!! She was watching a lady walk by while I snapped this shot.
There's that smile!! She was playing with the horse hair while I tried to act super goofy to get this picture!!
Aww, petting the horse. She loves this thing SO MUCH!!! I just can't believe she was so small the first time wes tarted this picture taking every month, and now she's SO BIG!!

There's another one of that sweet smile!! She had to hold onto the reins so her horse wouldn't run away from her!
See the reins?! She wanted to be sure we got them in the picture.
And here she is right after she had the reins way high in the air!! What a goofy face!
"LOOK AT MY TEETH!!!" That's exactly what it looks like she wants you to do!
And another sweet face. I just can't get over all of her sweet faces!

HI EVERYONE!!! See her waving?
She's saying goodbye to her horse, because it's time to put him back in the closet...er...barn.
Just a couple more with her favorite horse!
Here's Grace's SOUR face!!
And her sideways smile!!
"Hey Grace, where is your head?" "Here it is Mommy!!!"

"Grace, where is your tongue?" "MMMMMM"
"Grace, guess what? It's your 2 YEAR OLD BIRTHDAY tomorrow!!!" "YEAH!!!!"

Grace LOVES the doll her Papa and Dado got her for her birthday!!! I asked Grace to put the hat on the baby, and that's where she put it! Nice try honey!
She loves taking the babies slippers and putting them on her fingers!
Feeding the baby with Mommy's help!
Taking the baby's hat off...she must have been hot!
And Grace feeding the baby all by herself! Thank you Dado and Papa!!


And we opened another gift that came in the mail today too!!! Thank you Keri's Mom!!! We love you too!

Well, that's all we have for now on birthday goodness, but will be with the Montana family throughout the weekend for more birthday fun!

Amanda