Raylee's Birthday

I know, I'm slow. But I thought I had better post these before the holiday and I have more pictures to post.

Raylee's birthday was so much fun. Her main gift from us was the top bunk. We had her sleep with us the night before her birthday so that we could set it up and surprise her the next morning. Well, she couldn't sleep because of all the excitement so she wandered out of our room and found her surprise. I wished afterward though that I had videoed the event - she was just so precious checking it all out. She climbed up those steps grinning from ear to ear. She had a new comforter and a new puppy - Big Dog George has become his name. Raylee has really been into stuffed dogs and cats lately. So we put all the dogs we already had on her bed and then also purchased a huge dog (from my parents) to add to the collection. She LOVES George. She hauls him around everywhere. She told me the other day at breakfast that George can't talk, but he does talk to her in her ear. I asked what he said and she whispered with a huge smile "He loves me!" She is just so cute.

So after all that excitement, it was hard to get her to sleep, but she did finally. Sunday morning we had her open a couple of presents - the dress from Leland's parents and a purse with some contents from us. She told everyone at church that she was finally 3. Her choice for lunch was pancakes, so we went to Cracker Barrel. During lunch she said "This is the best birthday ever." She hadn't even had cake yet. :)

At 4:30 we had a few friends over for cake and presents. We had our neighbors Kathy, Nathan and Madison, our adopted Grandparents at church Ken and Mary, our dear friend Donna, and then us and Leland's sister Lesa (she had flown in on Friday). All of the people that are dear to Raylee here in Mansfield. She was just so happy. She loved all of her presents - even exclaiming "I can't believe it" on a few.

Raylee had a great birthday. I love the 3rd birthday - a kid finally gets it when they turn 3 and they are just so excited. She is such a fun, precious, cute little girl. I'm glad Raylee had such a great birthday.