Birthday festivities

A month late is better than never right? Here are the pictures from Grace's birthday celebrations.

We started out with a little singing and cupcakes at the Superbowl party at church. Big girl loved all the attention.
And the cupcake.
She posed for a few pictures with her buddy Lilah! Such cuties!
Lilah's face in this one cracks me up.
The morning of her birthday started out with birthday band aids. She LOVES band aids and we don't normally buy the Strawberry shortcake ones, so she was super excited. Go figure she had some terrible crisis every day (or twice a day) and went through those suckers at an incredible pace.
We hung around in the morning and around lunch time took off. We got word shortly before leaving the house that a man from church was dying, so Gunnar and I weren't really in a partying mood. Thankfully, the family was able to pick up the party mood and it really doesn't take much for Grace to feel like celebrating. Like Cheetos with her sandwich, for example. We ate at subway and the outside table was more or less in the parkinglot. Grace exclaimed "Are we having a picnic OUTSIDE" and was super excited, so I guess it is all perspective.
Our first birthday stop was Grandma Carols. We had a nice visit and Grace opened her gifts. She got a fun card making kit that she LOVED.
Group picture!
Our next stop for the day was my parents house for the party time. As usual we played the "pass the baby game." I love that everyone loves my baby. Even if they try to "eat" her at times. :)
My mom had made a big castle out of a refrigerator box for the girls to play in. She also made Grace and Elena crowns. They were super cute.


Other than that, the evening included pizza, more cupcakes, gift opening, the usual birthday stuff.

Grace and Elenea made trumpets. I think they were trying to blow down the walls (like Jericho).
Grandpa Pa and Ellie. I love this picture. :)
Before everyone left, Grace took pictures with everyone at her party. She made she to let us know she is 4 now!

With Grandpa Dick and Aunt Sonja.
With Tia and Auntie Ann.
With the Uncles.
Grandpa Pa!
Grandma Ta and Grandpa Pa and her sister.
We took some family pictures. Have you read the book called "Inside, Outside, Upside Down?" They remind me a little of that.

I am so thankful that Grace has so many people to love her. Although I don't think she realizes it now, I think that someday she will realize how blessed she is to be surrounded by people who think she is awesome. And really, when it comes down to it, that is the best gift of all.