greer's birthday night at the fair

Similar to Gehrig's zoo request for his birthday this year, Greer asked to go to the county fair with Madi instead of having a traditional birthday party.  She knows that it comes to town around the time of her birthday and was happy to wait a couple of weeks for it and the Links to visit the same weekend as Garner's party.  

We all bundled up to head that way...the weather was a perfect crisp, cool temp

Outside the ticket booth :)

Sam and Garner are adorably and hilariously cute together right now!

Favorites

Sensing a pattern with these? ;)

Mama shot...love my bud

We really all had such a great time.  Lots of smiles and laughter and lights and just...happy.

Finishing up with a funnel cake...they look a little guilty?  Maybe because the dads and bigs were in line for the ferris wheel and missed it ;)

I love that the kids are getting to the age where their idea of fun/birthday celebrating is sharing quality time and experiences with family and friends.  It makes it fun for all of us and for really special memories.  We loved celebrating you, Greer and are so thankful for you guys making the trip, Links!

...finishing the post up with a clip of the happy :))

the pink book party

Though Garner is loved and babied so much, we skipped the traditional birthday parties for her first and second birthdays.  We just felt like she wouldn't really know what was going on anyway and have learned with the other two kiddos that I'm not much of a party mom.  :)  However, as she approached 3, we knew that this was the year that she would truly appreciate it.  She began asking weeks beforehand about her "birt-day pah-ty" and when we asked her what kind of party she wanted, she said "a pink book party."

Because they don't have a section for "pink book parties" at the local party store, I went to the internet for ideas.  Surprisingly, there were many.  And super cute and easy too :))  First, we found adorable and free printable library card invites...fun for the moms at least, since this last generation has no idea what library cards are ;)

It's not often that I'm crafting, but when I am, I have to document it...I had a lot of fun making her book page birthday banner :)

And the food!  So fun...bookworms out of grapes and on cupcakes

"Nerds" and "Smarties"

"Book-wiches"

And some "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" snacks :)

So thankful for how it all worked out!

The weather was perfect too...

Happy birthday party day, Garner!  We are so smitten with you :)

Group shot before everybody dug in...what a sweet crew :)

So thankful for the Links' traveling to join us!  When asked who she wanted to come to her party, her first answer was "Jenn!" followed by "and Sam!" :))

Candids

She was not interested in all the attention of HB singing and candle-blowing...

More visiting and playing after cupcakes.  So thankful for all of these!

Making bookmarks in their bookworm glasses ;)

While the birthday girl and her best buddy go back for seconds...

Sweet and silly girls

And a little more love when we got home.

So thankful for a fun and beautiful day to celebrate our littlest...more about her at 3 in a later post :))