FINLEY ANNE TURNS 3!!!

I can't believe our beautiful little Fin is 3...she had a really fun birthday that happened to fall right on a Saturday...the perfect day for a little baby doll party!!

She started the day by opening her presents from Mom and Dad and Avery...she loved them all and had so much fun this year getting some of her very own things and understanding what that means...Avery hands off:)

We then took her out for breakfast...she loves to eat at restaurants...starting young:) Then we headed home where she got a good nap while mom and dad and sister prepared for her party...

The decor turned out pretty cute... The cake was one of my favorites...the bunny in front is her bunny she sleeps with everynight...I took the pictures the night before so they didn't turn out so hot...but it was a fun cake to do! I think the birthday girls' sister was more excited for the party then she was...

When the guests arrived, they could take their baby dolls upstairs where there were activities for them to do with their dolls...they could wash them, put diapers on them, stroll them around, play toys with them, dress them up, and play house with them. When everyone had arrived they all came down to make a bracelet for their doll and them...

When braclets were done, they each got to come to the photo studio, dress up if they wanted, and have their picture taken...

The next stop was by far the highlight!! Aunt Adriane...better known around these parts at Dr. Nose...did a well baby visit for each doll...she was awesome at it and each patient got a certificate of health...

Avery was wowed by Dr. Nose!

We actually had to drag Finley away from the beads...she loved that part...but when she got to meet Dr. Nose all on her own she absolutely loved it!! After Dr. Nose, they went to the "library" where daddy read a Fancy Nancy book to everyone.

Being the wonderful mother I am...I forgot to sing and have her blow out her candles before cutting the cake and distributing it to everyone...so we improvised and sang while everyone was eating on the deck...her candles blew out the minute we walked outside...but she didn't really seem to mind...she was more interested in enjoying her banana/strawberry cake!

She got to open some great presents from her friends...she also opened three things that arrived in the mail that day...gifts from Rachel, Grandma A, and Uncle Drew and Aunt Stormi...thank you to everyone!! It was a fun little party...since we were gone for a good share of August I was nervous is wouldn't turn out so well. But it ended up to be one of the least stressful parties I have done yet! It is actually a great idea for those little doll lovers out there. In the goodie bags (which were little canvas backpacks with the kids names on them) I put a little pink mini bottle filled with goldfish crackers, a pink or blue "it's a girl/boy" gum cigar, a ring pop, a little diaper rolled up with a ribbon, a little blanket rolled up and a little rattle...just in case you want ideas for the future anyone:) ____________________________________________________________________ I cannot describe how much I love this little 3 year old. She is so amazing! She is full of life...always looking to smile and laugh...she love, love, loves to play...loves babies and animals...is super nurturing and loving...always there to dry a tear and give a comfort toy...she loves to help and do things on her own, but also loves to be treated like the baby every now and then...she is a talker to no end...loves music and dancing...singing and did I mention talking? She is a pure delight and we are so thankful that she is part of our family!! Happy Birthday my little Fin...we love you so!!

PENNSYLVANIA!!!

So we got to head out east for a few weeks the last part of July (yes...just getting to it now) and had so much fun visiting with most of my family. We jammed our days full of activities and here are just some highlights...The Crayola Factory was a big hit with the girls...last time we were out there Finley was 3 months old and Avery had just turned 2...this time was more of a success...

A little sidewalk chalk time

____________________________________________________________________

We attempted to go to Hershey Park (amusement park in Hershey Penn) on a rainy Friday after we first got there and found ourselves rained out longer than we had hoped. So we visited Chocolate World next door where we took a great riding tour of how they make chocolate.

Waiting in line

Finley is loving it with Aunt Kaci

Avery and the singing cows in the background...if ever you are in the area...definitely check out chocolate world and take the free tour...really fun!

____________________________________________________________________

The girls adore their aunt Kaci...she let them put makeup on one night which was a super hit...

And they even got to have a couple sleep overs in Aunt Kaci's room while mom and dad were in New York...we really miss living by her!!! Thanks aunt Kaci for being such a fun aunt!! ____________________________________________________________________ My family watched the girls for a few days while Kristian and I enjoyed a few fun filled days in New York City...I didn't bring my camera, but we had a blast! I had never spent quality time in the city and while I would never want to live there, it sure is a great place to visit...I think Krisitian and I will plan a trip into the city again next time and see a show or something...thanks mom and dad and crew for giving us some R&R alone...we so appreciated every minute of it!! ____________________________________________________________________ The day we got back it was Kristian's 35th birthday...wow...what an old man;) The girls were busy with grandma planning a little surprise for him when we got home. Avery frosted the cake all by herself...they made a sign and insisted that we have a pinata cause they just knew dad would like that...

The birthday boy couldn't have been happier with his girls!! We had a lot of fun!!

____________________________________________________________________

So we got another chance to go to Hershey and boy was it a huge hit!! The girls are still talking about it and insist that we should just head over there cause it's not that far, (aparently the 5 1/2 hour plane ride was nothin but a blur:) almost every time we get in the car. They loved the rides...were disappointed they couldn't go on the bigger ones, loved the food, the performances, all the lights and sounds, the games, and staying up super late...it was an amazing time that we will make a regular stop on our trips in the future to Grandma and Grandpas house...

The baby cousins were brave to ride with the girls...actually I thought their parents were the brave ones for trusting the girls that much:)

This was one of their favorite rides...it shot them up and down several times...Grandma was gracious enough to ride with them...they absolutely loved it!!

They were amazingly well behaved all day...especially considering Finley didn't get her nap and they were on their feet most of the day...this was in line toward the end...I love when they are getting along!! ____________________________________________________________________ Our last day before heading home we spent in Philadelphia...next time we will plan to spend more than just an afternoon...it was a fun city! Kristian really wanted world famous Philly cheese steaks from the original place so we made our way through crowds of people, stood in line for a long time to eat the greasy goodness. We came right after Mrs. Obama actually...saw her motorcade...hence all the crowds...it was a mad house!

We also took the girls to the a great museum with dinosaurs and Avery thought she had died!! She could not contain her excitement when she saw the actual bones of dinosaurs...doesn't look like it in the picture, but trust me...she was in heaven!

They got to dig around in real rocks looking for bones...Avery would have stayed all day just digging like a real paleontologist! Finley was done in a few minutes and wanted to go back to her nap that we interupted:) _____________________________________________________________________ That night the kids went home with Grandma and Grandpa and Drew, Stormi, Kristian and I took in a Phillie's game...it was really fun. Thanks again Dad for the great seats!! It was great fun to have a date night...something we don't get enough of for sure!!

Thank you mom and dad and everyone...we had so much fun!! We are sad that we all live so far away, but love that you guys live in such a fun part of the country!! We miss and love you!!