Gracie's 6th Birthday Weekend

Gracie is six!

Happy birthday Gracie! You are such an important part of our family. You have turned into such a sweet and compassionate girl. You love taking care of others, especially your little sister and brother. We are starting to see you growing up as you are beginning to look beyond your own needs. Your sweet little heart makes our home such a happy place to be in.

You love being outside, and especially love bugs, animals, and exploring. You and Sophie usually come home everyday covered from head to toe in dirt and mud, usually from helping some poor lost bug make his new home. I can always tell when you've had fun!

You are such a smart girl and have turned into quite a little reader. You are always begging us to let you read 'just a few more minutes!' I hope you always love reading.

Other things that make you happy are learning to play the piano, dogs, soccer, and playing dad in "Trouble" board game.

We love you Gracie!

Here's some pics from your birthday celebration:

Grandma and Grandpa Shaw drove up to take her to breakfast. They had to leave their house at 6 am! They must love her!

Ben loved his delicious oatmeal at the restaurant.


Later, we went up the canyon and played with Grandma and Grandpa some more-

Cute birthday girl.



Gracie, taking on another one of her major projects...damming up the river.

Sophie getting tickled on a blanket.

Bug-a-boo taking a ride on Grandpa's shoulders. Isn't the canyon beautiful?
We've been up to this park so many times this year...can't get enough of it!

Grandma and Ben. It was so fun spending the morning with my mom and dad.



Then, as if we couldn't have MORE FUN, we went to the lake for the afternoon-

Yee-haw. Ride 'em birthday cowgirl!

Gracie and Sophie loved playing on the beach.

Ben, on the other hand, wasn't a big fan of the water.

The next day was Sunday, so we continued the celebrations on her real birthday in a Sabbath-like fashion. (cake and ice cream)

Gracie always talks about how she wants to be an artist when she grows up, just like her Grandma Mary. So this year she requested an artist cake. This is the best her non-artist mom could come up with.

Gracie has asked for a real dog almost everyday this year, so this is what she got from us for her birthday to fill her need for a pet. I think it might have worked. She treats that dog just like it was real....feeds it, brushes it, takes in on walks with a leash and collar, sleeps with it an night, built a doghouse for it to sleep in....it's great. And he doesn't even shed.

'Lucky' (that's his name she gave him) eating his delicious meal of grape nuts in a bowl. Jake has always called grape-nuts dog food, so it seemed fitting.

I love this picture. At the end of all the birthday celebrations, she cuddled up to lucky and read in the dark with her new books and reading light. Could she be any happier?