The Congdons

 

Such a cutie!!

The girls started school a few days after Genni's first birthday.  They were pretty excited about a new school year, new teachers, and new friends.

 

Georgia started Preschool this year.  She was so very excited...I can't believe how big she's gotten!!

 

I thought I would also put up some photos of the other two and compare how much they have grown over the past few years.

 

Gracie on her first day of Preschool.

 

Gwen's first day of Kindergarten.

 

Gwen's first day of 1st grade.

 

Gwen is now in 2nd grade!!  She's grown and changed so much!!

 Not long after you turned 6 months you started crawling, and by the time you were 9 months old you had your first tooth.  By this time you had done so many firsts-cereal, solids, an airplane, your first Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas...even a long car trip.  It seemed like time passed way to fast, and you grew up so quickly, but because you were still so tiny, it also seemed like you were our little baby.  Your personality continued to change, grow and shine, and we continued to love you more and more.

Now you're a year old.  You're walking now, saying some words, and so ready to eat normal food.  You love to explore, and go wherever your curiosity takes you.  You adore your sisters, and love it when they take the time to sit and play with you or read a book to you.  You love to wear shoes and hats, and drink out of regular water bottles and cups.  Your favorite thing to do right now is get in the stroller and go for a walk.  You are a giant mooch in a tiny body, sneaking food from everyone that will let you. 

 

You are also very free with your smiles, your hugs, your excitement over everything, and your love.  You bring so much light and joy into each of our lives, and have brought our family even closer together.  I am so grateful and feel so blessed that Heavenly Father sent you to us, that you have such a special and amazing spirit about you, and that I get to be your Mommy.  I love you so much Genesis...Happy 1st Birthday!!

We did cake after presents because we knew she would be a big mess.  This was her "smash" cake.  Nothing special...just a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.  We have done the same thing for each of the girls.

 We were able to Skype with family while she ate her cake.  She was fascinated with all these people cheering her on!

Gotta lick the frosting off the fingers-it's too yummy to wipe off!

 

My happy 1 year old!!

 

 I can't believe my baby is a year old already.  Happy Birthday Genesis Eva-we sure love you!!

 

Grace's was supposed to be a cat...not so sure what the red dots on the cheeks, chin and forehead were for.

Georgia went with a rainbow.

I love it when we come across things that bring an extra ounce of joy into my children's daily lives!!

I don't know where she came from, or what brought her to my home, but I am so glad she did.  I only wish I knew who she really was so I could give her a great big hug and thank her for brightening up my day and rescuing me from the worries and cares that had been weighing on me.  Thank you Aztec Warrior Supergirl!!

(sure love you my sweet Gwen!!)

 

...and flower leis draped around the table.

Thankfully the area around the swing set didn't really get wet, so we hung our happy sun piñata from it and each of the kids got a turn.  

Gwen had her cast off a few days before, but was supposed to wear a splint for most of the time still.  It couldn't get wet though, so we got her some elbow pads that she could wear during the party so she could still participate.  She was really grateful that she could still join in on the fun!

My mother in law gave me this cool birthday cake for kids book when Gwen was little, and I found a beach party cake in there.  Obviously it didn't turn out like the picture in the cake, but the kids still really liked it.  Teddy bears at the beach (I even gave them icing bathing suits)!!

It makes me so happy to see my kids so happy.  I'm so glad we could give her a special day, just for her.  Happy Birthday Gracie!!

In the months after Christmas you got to celebrate 100 days at school with lots of fun activities, snacks and games at school.  You got to visit the zoo again and feed the giraffes.  You got a reading medal at school for reading more than 50 books-yay!!  You also got to be in the big nursery rhyme production that the kindergarteners put on.  You chose to be Little Bo Peep, and you were so excited (and so very very cute) when you got to dress up as her for your school day performance and for the parent performance later that night.  You did a fantastic job reciting Little Bo Peep!!

Before the school year ended we got to take a trip to Idaho to see some aunts and uncles, and your cousins.  You had so much fun there and wished so much that we didn't have to leave.  After school ended for the year we went on a big vacation through Virginia, up to Vermont, then to New York and finally Pennsylvania before heading back to Texas.  You got to see so many relatives that we haven't seen in a few years, play with a bunch of cousins, and do so many fun things like rafting behind Papa's boat, swim in Spring Lake, pet Grandma's new puppy, go to an amusement park, and go to a big museum.  We did so much, but the best part was coming home and celebrating our now 6 year old girl!!

 

You are such a sweet, charming, empathetic little girl, and grow more and more so every year.  You bring us so much joy through your everlasting kindness and love for others.  You are such a big helper and such a good big (and little) sister.  We are so proud of you and everything that you have learned, accomplished and overcome in just one year.  You are loved so very much by your sisters, and especially by Mommy and Daddy.  You are a shining star in our lives, and we are so grateful and blessed that you are our daughter and part of our family.  Happy 6th Birthday Gracie Girl...we love you so very much!!!