Enchanted

Thursday, we joined Michelle and Carson at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood to watch Disney's Enchanted movie. It was awesome! Well, to be more specific... the movie was cute but the whole Enchanted experience was absolutely incredible! Disney sure knows how to put on a production!

I took a picture of Ryan in front of Kermit the Frog's star.

Ryan "posed" in front of the box office for a photo opp!

When the movie was over, we were ushered to the huge auditorium to meet all the princesses and experience many parts from the movie ourselves. Upon entering, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Belle greeted us in the "ballroom".

Ryan met and talked to Princess Giselle from the movie. Since we saw the 10 am show, there were hardly any other kids around to share the experience.

Ryan had an especially long talk with Ariel. She asked specifically about Flounder and King Triton. The Little Mermaid was very gracious to give her all the answers she was looking for. P.S. We had to go back and visit her twice.

Ryan and Carson posed with Snow White. The two girls had so much fun together. They are totally growing up. You should have seen them in the theater sitting next to each other eating their popcorn! Too cute.
(I bought this new camera and I am having a terrible time getting decent photos... Sorry! Plus, my battery died! Michelle took some pics too and said she'd send them to me. When I get those, I'll add some to the post.)

Besides the princesses, a bounce house, a room to dress up as princesses, an arcade, a climbing wall, and craft stations... there was also a place where you could have your make up done just like a princess! Shhh... don't tell daddy but both girls got very glittery make up to dance around like princesses.

Breakfast Time!!

This moment just sort of speaks for itself!

Hoping everyone is enjoying their Sunday! We certainly are!

Thanksgiving: Part 2

On Friday, all the Kudrons came over for another Thanksgiving feast. I have to apologize for not getting very many pictures. I'm really sad to not have gotten a picture of baby Cameron. He is getting so big and cute!
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The girls got to have their very own "kid" table this year complete with squirrel plates and a centerpiece that Ryan made at preschool. They did a great job saying grace at the table before they began eating.

Charlie says, "Cheeeeeeese!"

Charlie snuggled up next to Uncle Mike. It was cute to watch them.

The girls had some very thorough art time. The "art" ended up all over their arms, legs, clothes, and the floor!

A Houghton Thanksgiving

Jim and Casey Houghton graciously invited us to join their wonderful family for Thanksgiving dinner. There was lots of laughter and good stories to be told! We had a great time getting to know everyone better. Here is the beautiful table Casey set for the festivities...

Casey and Roger are working hard in the kitchen!

Ryan went around the room and got a picture with most of the guests! She LOVED it! Here is Ryan with Lindy...

With Grammy...

With Laurie...

And with Jim and Charlie...

Charlie, on the other hand, had some different ideas in getting attention (One of those ideas almost had us hiring a painter for the walls in the hallway- whoooops!) ...

Dinnertime was a success. The girls thought their turkey dinner was delicious (and all the grown up did too!)

Godmommy Katie got out all her childhood Barbies for the girls to play with! My favorite was the one wearing the legwarmers!

And finally, the girls started to settle down for the evening!

Thank you so much for having us Houghtons!
We had a wonderful time!

Teddy Bear School "Corn Feast"

Ryan had her big "Corn Feast" on Wednesday at Teddy Bear School. All the children were dressed up in outfits connected to the Thanksgiving theme. Here is my little Indian...

Guess who got to participate too?
You guessed it... that is little Charlie sitting on her very own carpet square. There was an extra spot right in front of where we were watching Ryan. Ryan was sitting 2 carpets to the left of Charlie.

Charlie did a great job sitting with all the big kids. In the three pictures above, you can see that she even tried to sing the songs and do all the fun hand movements.

And then she even got to have her own bag of Corn Feast treats! She was in heaven. Ryan is showing us a corn chip. Thanks for the visual Ry!

Afterward, Ryan wanted to take off her costume so that she could twirl in her dress. I tried to take this opportunity to get a picture of my matching little princesses!

This is the best I could do of the two!

Unfortunately, Ryan took off her costume a bit too early. Her class took a group picture and she is the only one out of costume. I don't even think she noticed but it made me a little sad.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

The Grace Girls Aren't Afraid of a Little Hard Work!

On Sunday morning, the girls and I decided to wash the car. Oh no, not our car for heaven's sake... their little car!! Proof that they are related to "Bubba" (aka Uncle Jim Houghton)!

They worked very hard cleaning every little ounce of that car.

Charlie did her share to keep up with big sister Ryan.

They were proud of their accomplishments and hard work. Mommy was proud too.

They even stuck with the process through the drying portion of the chore (I thought for sure they would have been bored by now!)

And then... unlike Bubba, who puts the cars away after their big Sunday wash until it's time to go to work on Monday- our girls took their shiny ride out for a spin!

Disneyland with lil' Miss Charlie

On Thursday, Charlie had her first "solo" trip to Disneyland. By "solo", I mean without Ryan and Daddy. Ryan has had many, many such trips but this was Charlie's first. She was lucky to spend it with her best friend, Carson. Here is how the day went down...

Holding hands ready to board the tram.

Aren't they cute??


Loving the train ride around the park!

Carson and mommy, Michelle getting ready to ride the carousel!

Charlie and I with big, happy smiles.

"America's Next Top Model"... LOL

Another Sensational Sixty!!

Gigi is not the only one to turn 60 in November... Nonna turned 60 too! We celebrated two times. My dad had a surprise party in the desert and Steve and I were able to attend. I didn't really think ANYONE could surprise my mom, but my dad pulled it off. She was truly surprised!! We also had a nice brunch with the family to celebrate at Las Brisas in Laguna Beach. 60 great years is sure something to be proud of!!

Mom is about to blow out the candles! Uh oh... get the fire extinguisher!!! LOL

A great party with friends and family!

A fun night had by all!!

An afternoon at Las Brisas with Nancy, Mike, the birthday girl, Jack, and Steve

The whole family!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Forever Young...

This past weekend we celebrated Liz, aka Gigi, turning 60! Everyone had a great time. Usually this blog is all about the kids as they are "Growing Up Grace" but this post fits in too because Liz is also "Growing Up Grace"!! There were so many great pictures to choose from, it was tough to narrow it down. Check out the fun...

The birthday girl posing with her brother-in-law, Ted Grace.



Lots of family having a good time...
Cathy, Kevin, and Michelle Coleman, Tim Carey, and Marcia Grace

Kevin Coleman and Big Steve posing for a snapshot!


Aunt Virginia, Joe Traver, and me!

Liz's sister, Mary and my dad, Jack ready to toast the birthday girl!

Terry Traver, Mike Grace, Megan and Chris Hicks are chatting it up!!

Steve, Karen Hammond, Sharon Boultinghouse, and Carol and Tom Georgino are enjoying the moment and catching up on old times!


The Grace girls made a surprise appearance to tell their Gigi "Happy Birthday!!"

Patrick and his girlfriend Molina are enjoying their champagne toast with Katie, Jim and Casey Houghton.

Aunt Ginny is giving Liz some hand holding support as everyone listens to the toasts to Liz!

Liz with 3 out of the 5 of her "jewels"... We loved your speech Lizzie! Well done!

Marcia, Jeff, Sharon, and Ted look at all the fun photos of Liz growing up.

Megan, Jeff, and Liz reminiscing.

A little love...

Sandy and Jack Kudron ready to start the dance party!

"Whoop, there it is!" The dance party I mean!

Jeff, Joe Traver, Liz and Big Steve. A little dance party to the music of Frank Sinatra can bring anyone on the dance floor!

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It was a great night Liz. A very, very fun group of people. Happy Birthday Liz!