Happy Birthday Lily!

This was a very exciting week in our house - Lily turned 3!  Where did the past 3 years of our lives go and more importantly where did my baby go?  With each passing day I loose more of our baby and am starting to see the girls she is becoming.  Lily you are so smart - to smart for Daddy and I.  I love your curious nature and how eager you are to learn anything new.  You constantly amaze us.  You are such a blessing and a true gift.  We love you!

We decided this was the year for Lily to go to Disneyland and we thought why not go on her birthday.  Best decision ever.  First off this is the best time of year to go.  The longest line we waited in was 20 minutes and the weather was perfect.  We went up to Grandma's house on Wednesday and had a party for Lily that night and then we left Ella with Grandma and went to Disneyland on Thursday ( Lily's Birthday).

Here is the party at Grandma's house.  We celebrated with all our friends from their neighborhood.  Such a great time! 

Lily dressed for her party!

To keep with the theme of her birthday we had a Mickey Mouse cake!

Lily wearing her princess tiara from Aunti Dani and enjoying her cake!

 This is Lily on our 6.5 mile drive from Grandma's house to Disneyland - she is super excited.  She actually woke up so early this morning I quess the quick nap was a good thing!

Our fist picture of the day in front of the park!

The first ride of the day - Tea Cups!

  Ride 2 was Alice in Wonderland.  This ride broke down while we were on it and they had to come and get us and we had to walk off the ride.  I thought this might scare Lily but thankfully no we just kept on going.

She loved the Dumbo ride!

I know she is killing me with the nap thing.  I let her sleep for 1 hour and then I woke her up.  Luckily this was the last nap of the day.  We had lots to do! 

I do need to mention before her nap we got her the Mickey hat and we told the wonderful lady in the store it was her birthday.  They gave her a giant pin that said Happy Birthday with her name and age on it and I thought how nice.  Here is the best part whenever any Disney employee saw her wearing the pin they would stop and say Happy Birthday Princess Lily! 

  We got to take pictures with Tiger, Eeyore and Winnie the Pooh ( Lily loves Pooh Bear)

 This is us on our Jungle Cruise!

 Waiting for our car at Autopia.

 What is a day at Disney without a Mickey Shirt and a gigantic Lollipop or as Lily likes to call them a Lilypop!

A picture at the castle.  The front of the castle was blocked off so this is the best we could do!

Minnie and Lily

Lily loves the Carousel - we did this ride a couple times.

  I was warned about Fantasyland rides because they are dark and sometimes scary.  Lily went on every single one.  She once said that was sacry on Snow White but then asked to go on it again.  Here she is at Mr Toads Wild Ride!

 We stayed till the bitter end so we could see the parade.  This was the best part of the day.  Watching her watch the parade.  I have to admit I started tearing up at one point and I stopped in that moment and thanked God for letting me share this very special day with her.  There is nothing better in the world then watching the look of pure joy on your childs face.

The last thing on our list - ice cream at Carnations!  This was a tradition of the Herkert family.  When I was little we went to Disneyland once a year and we always ended our day with ice cream at Carnations watching the parade!  This was one of my most cherished childhood memories and I think it will be up there on Lilys list too!