Anna's 3rd Birthday

Anna had her 3rd birthday last week.  We thought we would try and spread the birthday joy out and not try and cram too much into one day.

Friday we had a little friend party in the morning.  Anna is in love with Tinkerbell and fairies so we had a Tinkerbell party.  We played Tinkerbell bingo (Thanks Devin for the amazing game!). 

The girls went for a treasure hunt, because fairies love to look for treasure.

Each girl got to make her own fairy wings.   They were all so excited to decorate their wings with stickers and markers.  The look on their face when we put their wings on was priceless.

We then played Fairy Freeze which was basically run around, dance, jump, do whatever and then freeze when the music stopped.  Oh my, the camera doesn't do justice to this game.  It was so cute to watch!

We then opened presents.

And ate cake.

It was a SUPER simple party but the girls had a blast.

(Special thanks to Devin for taking such fun pictures!!!!)

Friday night we had our family party.  We are decided to start a new tradition.  Rather than having a friend party and a family party, we would just do a Family Movie Night where the birthday person would choose their favorite movie to watch.  It was fun.  We had cake.

Then we all watched Tinkerbell The Great Fairy Rescue.  

Saturday was Anna's real birthday.  Being the great parents that we are, we signed up to run the Highway to Hale 5k Race at the Hale Center Theater that morning.  I was feeling bad to drag Anna off to a race on her birthday, but she was SOOOO excited.  "I get to wear my runner shirt?!!!"  We borrowed a single jogging stroller from our neighbors so that Devin could push Anna in our stroller and I could push Nicholas in the other stroller.  The weather was great!  I was very pleased with my time pushing a stroller and Nicholas fell asleep.  It was fun to see everyone dressed up.  I even saw Tayla one of my 2nd grade students.  I love seeing my students!!!  I miss them.  I really do consider them my best friends.   Here is the great picture of Peter and his kids, and the Baldwins.

The highlight of the race was watching Anna run across the finish line.  I wish I had pictures.  Devin let her out of the stroller and she got to run her little heart out.  You should have seen the look on her face. Everyone was cheering for her.  That girl LOVES to run!!!  Not a bad way to start off her birthday.

We went home and opened presents. She loved her new Thomas book.  

Crazy girl would have been happy with that but we kept bugging her to open the BIG present.  Anna is now the proud owner of a green scooter.  If you ask Anna it is a Tinkerbell scooter.  And she can put pixie dust on it and it can fly.

Nicholas liked the balloons.

After snuggling up with Daddy to read stories, Anna and I went out to take the scooter for a spin.  I went out on my rollerblades.  I can't remember the last time I did that.  It was so much fun.  It was a perfect fall day.

We then took Anna to the temple.  The most important part of the day in my mind.  

I love walking around the temple with her and being able to talk with her about how important the temple is and how excited we are that she gets to go there in only 9 more years!!!!  She is growing up so much.  Here are my favorite pictures from her last three temple trips.

Anna's 1st Birthday

Anna's 2nd Birthday

Anna's 3rd Birthday

Happy Birthday Anna!!!!  We sure love you!!!!!!