The previously promised Birthday post

Brace yourself - there are a ton of pictures that go with this post - but they're all cute of course. We were able to celebrate Hillary's real birth day at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandma made the day pretty special for Hillary and it was fun to be there. Her actual birthday party was later after we got home and you'll see pictures of that too.

Opening presents - this one is from Tasman.

More presents.

more still....

Grandma and Grandpa got her a cake from Baskin Robins. They had a great Tinkerbell candle to go on the top.

Hillary had a Pinkalicious Tea Party when we got home. We had pink tea in real teacups and pink cupcakes with cherries on the top.

She invited only girls because she doesn't like boys - they are yucky.

See that cute thing around her head? I made those for all the girls and their dolls.

I found a little teapot so they could pour their own tea.

Don't worry - it's just pink lemonade.

The pink purse pinata.

Another shot of the cute head things I made.

And the mad scramble for rings and bracelets and girly stuff I filled the pinata with.

Opening presents.

Everyone except Phoebe who came. Phoebe is one of her cousins and the rest of these girls are all from Pre-school. I couldn't convince Phoebe to get in the picture.

The girls got to keep their teacups and I put a pink cupcake in each to send them home.

One more quick note - Hillary's favorite book currently is a book called "Pinkalicious". If you have a daughter - get this book for her. She will love it. It inspired our cupcakes for the party.

More from Grandma & Grandpa's House

Hillary being a statue.

On our way to the pool. My parents have a nice little pool just a couple blocks from their house. We were able to go almost every day we were there.

Grandpa even went one day.

There are no slides or playgrounds like at the pools in Utah. But Hillary would spend hours just paddleing around on those noodles.

Grandma didn't get in because she hadn't gotten the clear from the doctor. Her surgery wound was still too fresh. But she went with us most days and watched while dipping her toes in.

Hillary is quite the little fishy.

This is one of the two little parks we pass on the way to the pool. Hillary was glad she had someone who would push her on the swings as long as she wanted. Thanks Grandpa.

More playground fun.

I told Hillary to smile and she did a "crooked" smile. One side up and one side down.

Hillary loves to run ahead when we are walking and pretend to be a statue. Then when you go past her she'll run ahead again and start all over. It's pretty funny. Once my dad picked her up and moved her and she managed to stay stiff the whole time.

We painted all our toes matching. Hot pink with sparkles.

Hillary relaxing with Grandpa in front of the BIG tv. Probably watching Bolt. I think she made Grandpa watch it multiple times.

They took us to a BIG park a little ways away from their house. Hillary had a blast.

Grandma Tinka's House

Hillary and I went to visit my parents in Virginia. My mom had a shoulder replacement surgery so we went to help her and cheer her up. I'm pretty sure it worked but regardless, we had a ton of fun on our visit. I'm going to break it up into several posts so stay tuned for all of them.

This is Hillary playing with my mom's Ponies. She had a blast playing with them all week.

Hillary in her birthday skirt. (a Birthday post is coming later this week)


Coloring with Grandma

Grandma Colored too - though with her left hand...

The finished product.

Hillary has started doing "Superstar" poses. Here are a few...in another new outfit provided by a doting Grandma and Grandpa.

We made bubble worms. A great summer project that was practically free. Great idea from Family Fun.

Grandma Tinka and Hillary colored with sidewalk chalk.

Hillary was helping Grandpa Ralph do the yard work. She loved the ponds.

The "Mark the Great" race

We went to a race that benefitted the family of a friend of ours. It was super fun.

The kids played on the playground while we waited for Pat to finish.

Pat ran the 5K as usual.

Hillary ran the kids race. She did really well - taking third place.