Julia's 4th Birthday

My baby girl has turned 4. Where has the time gone. I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday.It was certainly a exciting and fun-filled day! Julia wanted a 'Tangled' themed birthday so that's what it was. Everything was tangled, the cake, balloons, and then she got a tangled shirt, pj's, dress-up, and a doll. Did we miss anything??? She LOVED it!

A purple 'Tangled' cake!

I didn't want her to see the cake until we lit the candles but she did watch me frost the cake, purple, no less. While frosting it she kept telling me, "Mom, this is going to be the best cake ever!" No lie, I think she said that like 50 times. It was so cute. I love to see her so excited. I waited until she went to bed to decorate and set up for the day. I wanted it to be a surprise for when she woke up. I hung paper lanterns, like the movie had and got some balloons. The pay off was when she woke up and came out and told me it was beautiful!

Waking up to her 'Tangled" birthday

It was Alpine Days this week and so we decided to go to the parade. We all got up and ready to go and Julia was excited to go. Its not as big or as grand as the Preston Parade but the kids still had a great time and got some candy too. Next stop after the parade was the fire station. They actually had it open and the kids were able to get inside and see it. Layne even got in on the action. I think all the kids thought this was the best part of the day! 

Christian and Julia before the parade.

Everyone hanging out waiting for the parade

Layne said "every boy dreams of
becoming a fireman."

All the kids on the front of the truck

On our way home we got a snow cone to try and cool off a bit and then we had a bit of lunch and a much needed nap. When Julia woke up it was about time for the party so she wanted to get ready. We got her a new dress to wear and a bow to match. She loves to wear her 'party dress!' Before everyone came over we went outside to get a few pictures of Julia in her new dress.

The birthday girl in her new dress

After everyone showed up we had an early dinner. I had asked Julia what she wanted to have for her birthday dinner and she told me watermelon. I then had to say we need a little more to eat than watermelon, so she told me she wanted to have turkey sandwiches and chips. Simple and easy! So we all ate our fill of sandwiches and watermelon. And then it was time to have cake and presents. I love Julia's face in the picture because she hadn't seen the cake up until this point. She was excited. We sang Happy Birthday and she tried to blow out the candles, I had to help her out a little bit. Then we moved onto presents. This kid is certainly loved and spoiled by all her aunts and gramma. Like before mentioned she got a lot of Tangled stuff. But she loved her new umbrella and clothes. Even though Julia loves dress-up and princesses she is becoming a tomboy. Gramma got her an adjustable basketball hoop. Its been a big hit and Layne and I even get in on the fun. She also really liked her coloring binder and new pail of crayons she got from Aunt Kristy and the kids. It was a great idea! She had been asking for a bike forever, so that was our big gift to her this year. She cannot wait until Monday to go outside and try it out. I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time in the park for the next few months until it snows.



Her reaction seeing her cake for the 1st time



Helping her blow out the candles

Waiting for a rainy day

New Tangled Dress up

Her new bike

Even last weekend we had gone up to Preston and then the Parker Party at the ranch and she was once again spoiled by the grandparents. She got a really cute outfit and a brand new princess suitcase, so when she comes to visit she can pack her own bag! She loves to put all her clothes in it and pretend to be going somewhere. We had to take it away from her so she wouldn't ruin it before we could even use it! She had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa Cromwell last weekend. Grandpa even got her a new shirt while we shopped in Jackson Hole. She wasn't there when we picked it out but when she saw it she hugged the shirt and said it was beautiful. I made sure she told grandpa thank-you! She had a fun filled 2 weekends in a row celebrating her birthday. Thanks to everyone for making Julia's day so special. 

Extra stuff about Julia.................

Favorite colors: Pink and Purple

Favorite shows: Team UmiZoomi, Bubble Guppies, Phineas and Ferb

Favorite movie: Depends on the week so right now it seems to be Cars and Tangled

Foods: She finally started eating sandwiches so she LOVES PB&J, chicken nuggets, any and all kinds of fruit. She loves her apple juice in the morning. She has this thing with cereal too. She loves to mix Honey Bunches of Oats(the bee cereal, as she calls it) with Wheaties or another kind of cereal. Still likes oatmeal too but loves to eat cereal without the milk??

Favorite things to do: likes to paint and color, she is really good at puzzles (we have a 200 piece Disney puzzle she can put together herself only having done it with help a couple of times) she loves to go swimming, likes to watch her movies in her room, loves to play with her cousins and visit gma/gpa Cromwell's, going to primary, going to the park, and as of late likes to ride her bike.

Things Julia says on a regular basis: 

"What in the world?"

"It was just an accident."

"Go Cougars!"

"Don't say that word, mom/dad."

"I have boogers." (when she has a running nose and wants someone to get her a tissue)

"Hey, Bubbas." (talking to Christian)

"Watch it" or "Back Off" (picked those up from her dad)

"Mom, Christian's crying." (even though I can clearly hear him)

When Julia gets upset or is mad she loves to cross her arms, squish up her face and stomp her foot. She loves to grunt at us too. We try to get her to use her words but she isn't so great at expressing herself when she's mad.

She gets embarrassed really easily. Julia is usually saying or doing something pretty funny and we laugh, but not at her, at what she has said or done. She kinda starts to cry and will try and hide behind me or something. Or when she does something that is by accident and we just say her name to get her attention she thinks she is in trouble and will do the same thing. She also has a hard time when other people are mad at her or try to discipline her.

She still tells me and Layne that she loves us everyday about 2-3 times a day. And when we do something really nice or special for her she says, "You are the best mom/dad ever!" Thanks so nice to hear!

She is really excited for pre-school to start next week. It's going to be a great year! She will be learning so much more and I'm anxious to see her grow and learn new things.

Julia is also a great big sister. She loves Christian and is really good at watching him and making him laugh. She loves to help him eat, take baths, pretty much anything. She is a great kid. So smart and funny. She has a beautiful smile and a great laugh. Wwe love her to death! We are so glad you are a part of our family. Happy Birthday Big Girl!