Gretchen's 17th Birthday at American Girl

Gretchen turned 17 in January and since this would be her last childhood birthday, we decided to do what any little girl would love- have her birthday at the American Girl doll store and cafe in Dallas!! I made a lunch reservation for us and two of her friends, and we got up the morning of and drove to Dallas (with a stoop at Buc-ee's of course!)

Thankful for friends who can bring out their own inner child too. 

Each girl brought their own doll for us to have lunch with. 

We wondered around the store for a little book and took a few pictures before lunch. 

Our place setting at the table. 

And all of the dolls had their own chair as well. 

A milkshake for the birthday girl! 

After a full course meal she opened her presents. 

And then they changed out of their party dresses and headed to the mall for some shopping! 

And a birthday build a bear of course!! 

 

Family Pictures in Colorado

We arrived in Colorado the day before my birthday; all I wanted was to get dressed up and go take some family pictures in the mountain. The girls understood the assignment :) 

We tried getting some pictures around the campsite but the mosquitos were awful! 

We drove to Grand Lake lodge, and found an amazing view of the Rocky Mountains and Grand Lake. 

DJ brought along some painters tape, we propped up a bench, and used his cell phone in portrait mode. 

After we took pictures, we headed downtown to grab dinner! 

I had a glass of wine and a delicious salad for dinner! 

And finished with creme brulet for dessert! 

The 4th of July & Adalyn's Birthday

On the 4th of July, Megan, Adalyn, and I went to the water park for the morning! 

It was fun to hang out pool side in our red white and blue! We met a friend there and had a great morning relaxing and playing! 

The girls each got a hat, and they had their faces painted! 

We came home, and all went to the neighborhood pool for a bit! 

These two had fun stunting. 

Then we sat outside to watch all of our neighbors shoot off fireworks. 

Our neighhbors were even kind enough to share! 

Adalyn took her "last night as a 10 year old" picture. 

And I was exhausted! But, I always decorate the girls a birthday table and I decided I just didn't have it in me. So, Gretchen and Megan stayed up and decorated for her! It was so sweet! 

She woke up to presents, and insisted on opening them before breakfast. 

And then she had her birthday cinnamon roll. 

She requested lunch out. 

The restaurant celebrated her with ice cream that I swear was covered in corn flakes! 

And we let her have some bubblegum! 

A few birthday celebration pictures! 

And we were in the car for a drive to Abilene! 

Because we were heading out on a week long trip to Colorado!!! 

We had dinner and slept in the parking lot at Cracker Barrel!