We were in South Carolina for a dear friend's wedding this past weekend, so we went ahead and celebrated Little Miss Gracie's first birthday. What a fun party!
The theme: Hippos.
As we discussed possible party themes, safari and jungle animals kept coming to mind since we recently returned from Africa. While in Koutiala we learned that Mali means "Hippo." So, a safari themed hippo party it was!
Nana and Papa worked hard to make this day extra special:
A friendly hippo and tall giraffe along with a tree full of monkeys greeted guests as they arrived.
Gracie and her cousin Dylan enjoyed their safari hats...
as well as the inflatables.
We all sang happy birthday...
while Gracie watched.
She wasn't sure about the cake.
She played with the icing but never really tasted the yummy carrot cake (we figured since it is one of our favorites she would like it too).
She did like the chocolate covered banana pops that Nanny made! They were hit with all the guests.
Many friends and family came to this special event.
Aunt Susan and Uncle David helped Gracie play with bubbles.
Gracie monkey-ed around with Aunt Beth & Uncle Ralph (aka: Nana 2 & Papa 2).
Mary & Martha snuck in a few hugs, too!
Gracie enjoyed playing with the wrapping paper while we helped her open her gifts.
We have several new books to read, new outfits to wear,
new toys to play with,
and a new bookbag to keep our things together!
What an amazing year it has been! We are so thankful that God blessed us with this sweet little girl.
It has been quite a while since our last post -- we have been busy working in the hospital, traveling to SC weddings, listing our house, and trying to keep up with our mobile little girl.
Gracie is crawling, cruising, standing ... we await some first steps and walking soon!
Excitedly entering year two,
DD&G
