Birthday and the American Girl Store

I have been looking forward to going to the American Girl store ever since it opened up and am so glad to have a little girl and a reason to visit it.  I was the biggest tomboy ever and never really played with dolls.  All I can remember having was a boy Cabbage Patch named Wallace Randolph and the American Girl doll , Molly.  I loved Wallace and think I was really in love with all of Molly's little accessories, but do remember playing with her too.  It was so neat to see Molly in the store with the same desk and bed and outfits that I remember having.
Gaitley got a Bitty Baby for Christmas and she absolutely loves her.  She is definitely not a tomboy and loves all the girly stuff.  I have to admit that I am having fun with it too.  We decided to take her to the store for her birthday and let her pick out a new outfit for Bitty.  It was so fun to watch her reaction when we walked in.  She loved looking at the dolls and all the stuff she could get for Bitty.  All she kept saying was, "I want this Daddy!  I want this!"  We are in trouble!

The morning of Gaitley's real birthday.  She is enjoying a cinnamon roll and blueberries for breakfast and practicing holding up two fingers.

 Outside the store

I love how she is standing on her tiptoes to see better.  Garrett will hate to admit this, but he enjoyed the store too.

Gaitley with her purchase.  The store really makes the kids feel special.  It is all about them and their doll.

The girls - we are posing with Molly.

Enjoying a birthday dinner at Mi Cocina

Gaitley's Birthday Party

On Saturday night we celebrated Gaitley's birthday with an ice cream sundae party.  She loved being the center of attention and getting lots of new toys to play with.  My parents, both my sisters and my brother got to come which made it even more special.  After the party we headed to the Shores Park to get a family picture since we were all together.

 Gaitley loved her new beauty shop stuff from Lance and Taleigh.

 This jewelry box from Camille and Scott was a favorite too.  She loved watching the ballerina dance.

 Cute new clothes from Cayla and they go great with her Tinkerbell slippers.

 A new kitchen!

 Garrett gave Gaitley a manicure!

Dress-up clothes!

 Make a wish!

 Getting a little help from brother to blow out the candles.

 Sneaking a piece of the cake!

Yummy cake and ice cream sundae

 Mimi and Gaitley

 Gracyn slept through the whole party.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.

Gaitley's 2 Year Pictures

Britt was so excited to take Gaitley out all by herself for a photo shoot.  He took Garrett to gymnastics and I got Gaitley all ready and then we switched.  Gracyn and I went to watch Garrett and Britt and Gaitley headed downtown to take some pictures.  I was expecting this to take about an hour.  After gymnastics, we went straight home and we were still getting out of the car and Britt and Gaitley pulled up.  Their photo shoot was cut short.  Poor Gaitley fell down the stairs and that was the end of it.  She had a fat lip and her face was a little scratched up.  She was so upset too.  She had been looking forward to taking pictures in her little tutu.  Luckily, Britt got some good ones in the short time he had.

Sweet Kids

Here are just a few pictures of the kids.  We haven't been doing much lately.  Gracyn absolutely hates the car, so we really just stay home most of the time.  We have been having some sweet moments here though.

Sweet girls

 Gaitley's first time to ride bikes with Daddy and Garrett.  She loved it!

 I love this picture!

 Gracyn loves to be held.  She just falls right to sleep like this.

 Gracyn on her playmat.

 

 Daddy and Gracyn

Taylor Family Reunion

A few weeks ago, we went to Abilene for the Taylor Family Reunion.  My grandma was one of eleven, so at one time this was quite a big event.  When I was a little I remember going to Robert Lee, where she grew up, and getting to see all her sisters and hearing wonderful stories about their childhood.  My grandma is a great storyteller and I still love listening to her stories.  Just a few years ago we started having the reunions in Abilene at my Aunt Debbie's house.  They are a bit smaller now, but it is still fun to see all the family.

 Garrett enjoying the swing.

 The Sheppard Family

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The Smith Family