Birthday Buddies

I just can't hardly believe my baby girl is 3?!?!?!  Geesh... feels like yesterday we were learning she would be coming {3 weeks ahead of schedule- on Harper time always} and then here we are celebrating with her friends in her first party outside of our house.  She celebrated turning 3 in style: a Frozen-themed shower at a gymnastics place called The Little Gym with ALL of her friends and their families... yep she was in Heaven;)

A few snapshots of the fun afternoon....

Papa enjoyed getting some Maggie snuggles in during the shenanigans;)... he seemed 100% content {and it looks as if Maggie was right there with him}

...and then it was time for pizza and cake- yum o!

...of course Olaf was on the cake- hehe!  She had SUCH a blast!!!

Thank you to everyone who was willing to spend a slightly chaotic Saturday evening with us, celebrating our little munchkie;)

A backyard play area fit for Ms. Harper Grace!  Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!

Thank you Mom & Dad for helping us transform our backyard into a little girls dream.  We truly have been out there EVERY day to enjoy it- so fun!

Oh how I love my birthday buddies...

I know I mention every year, but Harper was given ONE rule during pregnancy... having a due date in April, I asked her to just NOT be born on her Daddy's (and her Uncle Aaron's) birthday of April 8.  Having spent 3 years year with her now I should have known... of COURSE she wouldn't listen to that rule.  She made her arrival at 8:33pm on 4.8.11- ha!  

This year made me realize just how special them sharing a birthday is: Harper was SOOOO excited to see her birthday buddy for lunch and spend as much time as she possibly could with her Daddy.  She kept referring to him as her 'birthday buddy' as she picked out a dress and told me how she wanted her hair.  She made sure to hold his hand going into the restaurant and sitting right next to him...

Mommy pause: oh MAN some moments her being this small is just too much to handle- love her cuteness;)

We got to play with friends and enjoy the afternoon before Daddy came home from work.  Of course they requested 2 separate dinners (Sesame Chicken & Baked Potato Soup) and I made 2 separate cakes (vanilla {store bought-hehe} & peach cobbler)- ha... but seeing them so happy and enjoying the day TOGETHER made it worth all the sweat and dirty dishes- so wonderful!  

I love you, my April 8th Birthday Buddies!  This was the year for 3: Harper turned 3 and Daddy turned 30!!!

To the April 8 Birthday Buddies...

Pete~ Gosh can you believe you're 30?!?!  I cannot thank you enough for all the hard work and love you have put into our family.  You are an amazing Daddy and wonderful husband- my very best friend!  I am so proud of you... I love you. 

Harper~ Thank you for bringing such a light to your Daddy and I's life.  You have made us so happy and we love all your chaos so much.  You are so energetic, busy, loving, and full of life- never lose your fire, baby girl!

Aaron~ WOW... you have so much to be proud of.  Thank you for making myself and my family feel special.  You are a such a blessing and are such an important part of our family... thank you for all the good times and for making us feel included in your crazy- fun life;)

Love you all!