Easter

Grace proved to be quite the pro at Easter egg hunting. I had thought that I was going to have to show her what to do, but much to every one's astonishment, as soon as she walked into the yard with her basket and saw the eggs scattered about she immediately started running around the yard and gathering the eggs. It was as if it was instinctive! She seemed a little disappointed when they were all collected. I actually regretted that I didn't really hide them. For a girl like Grace, that would have really made the whole event worth it. And what a wonderful surprise it was to her to find little treats hidden within each colorful egg! She sat very quietly at the kitchen table afterwards and carefully went through each egg to inspect the insides. She would savor every candy in the egg before moving on to the next one. Her favorite treat... Jr. Mints!

An Unexpected Weekend Surprise

This weekend Grace got a somewhat unexpected weekend from her good friend Brooklyn Brus. The two of them had such a great time together that we thought a video was in order. Take a look!

Closing in on 17 months!

In some ways Grace seems to become a little bit more mature everyday. But, in other ways, she's getting all the more kid-like which entails her more zany, rambunctious, and dare we say, defiant, side. She is constantly on-the-go and into some project. Her language ability seemed to change overnight last week. One day she didn't seem to articulate much and the next day it seemed as if she was able to copy most words we would say to her. Her new favorite word: Animals.
Grace is curious and independent, but also extremely cautious. She tends to run most things by mom and dad to see if they're okay. She likes people to interact with her, but doesn't like them getting too close (which has always been the case).
Her latest fetish: Shoes! She daily insists on which pair of shoes she's going to wear. We can't even walk her by a shoe store in the mall without her yelling "shoes" and demanding to touch them and try them on. She even goes up to other people's shoes and presses on their toes as if to make sure they fit (she learned this from us doing it to her when buying her a new pair). Even in Israel, we'd have to stop for regular shoe inspections. She's a total girl!
After visiting her cousin Jackson in Temecula, Grace and I stopped by a duck pond. If you've ever met Grace, you know that she has a thing for ducks (duck was one of her very first words). She was absolutely captivated!
She made a little friend there that seemed to share her duck love.

This is Grace's angel, Ruth. Many of you haven't had the opportunity to meet Ruth, but she is one of the greatest blessings in our lives. She adores Grace and Grace, in turn, seems to have a lot of peace and joy when she's with her. Ruth is also the reason why Grace only says certain words in Spanish like agua, hola, and silla (chair).

Winter Wonderland

On a sunny SoCal Sunday, Gracie pushed her little baby stroller all the way to Finkbiner Park for some fun in the sun. Check out the highlights below

Gracie Welcomes Baby Jackson

Last week Gracie got to meet her new cousin, Jackson Benjamin Gaines. As you can see below she was very gentle and captivated by this new little wonder. She did a lot of staring and then eventually tried to exchange his pacifier for hers. She looks forward to getting to know him and someday play together when Jackson is a little bit older.

To Israel and Back!

Well, on Christmas day we took off for a much anticipated trip to Israel! This was the 10 year anniversary of Jacob and I meeting in this captivating and mysterious place. Bringing Grace along seemed to complete the whole picture for us. Here's a few snapshots from our wonderful adventure to the city that we love so much.
First, I have to note what a wonderful job Grace did traveling. She did an amazing job on the plane trips, barely having one fussy moment! She surprised us with her flexibility and ability to adapt. We know that it was an answer to many of your prayers! Jacob and I say that she did better than we did!
Jacob and Grace atop the Mt. of Olives. It was a very steep climb pushing Grace along, but well worth it.
This is pretty indicative of Grace's morning naps on the go. This is her and I waiting to hop a bus to the Israel Museum to check out the Dead Sea Scrolls.
A view of the Western Wall and Dome of the Rock from the Jewish Quarter. This was a very special place for Jacob and I to go when we were schooling in Jerusalem. So we made a point of it most nights to make our way there.
As any true daughter of ours would, Grace loved Falafel!
Grace also discovered chocolate in the form of Chacobo bars- An ice cream bar with a chocolate bar center that Jacob has had a craving for since the day he left Jerusalem. Like father, like daughter!
I know... I know... Kissy picture! But, I just couldn't resist considering that this was the very rooftop overlooking the New City Jerusalem where Jacob and I first met and then professed our love for each other.
Enjoying the Jewish Quarter. This was our spectacular view from the King David, overlooking Jaffa Gate and the Old City Jerusalem. It was a perfect setting for our last night there.
Dad and Daughter at St. Peter's house in Capernaum.
Collecting sea shells along the Sea of Galilee, or as Gracie called it "Agua."
Beautiful sunset over the Sea of Galilee. Grace walking the ramparts around the Old City.
The Fam at the Western Wall.
Our final night on the Mediterranean in Tel Aviv.

A first time for everything...

So, a couple of days ago, Grace surprised both Jacob and I when she managed to take her own diaper off and then proceeded to take it over to the trash can, open the lid, and throw it away. I guess this shows how she feels about that. Cute smiles in front of the Christmas tree.
Just in case you were wondering... She has her bad moments:)


Grace and I put together our first Gingerbread house. We got it put together with only a few bites out of the walls! She loved pressing on the candy pieces into the frosting!

14 Months!

Grace turned 14 months yesterday! Life is just so much better with her in it.

The Latest

Sorry for the lapse in posts! Here's some recent pics of our sweetheart being silly with some free stickers from Trader Joe's and doing one of her favorite things-- digging through our flower pots! Everyday Grace's personality shines through more and more. She's full of life, energy, joy and determination. It's amazing to me how well she understands and communicates. When I told her this morning that it was time to change her diaper, she stood up from where she was sitting in the front of the house and walked all the way to her bedroom and reached up to her changing table (and this is a girl who Hates getting changed). Grace needs constant projects and tasks to keep her occupied. So, I send her on regular missions like "can you please take this to daddy" or "can you please throw this away" and "Grace why don't you pick a snack out of the cupboard" and "go pick out a book." Giving her a task can divert even the worse temper tantrums. I even put "accidental" spills on the floor so she can wipe them up with a paper towel. Her favorite toys these days are her Beauty and the Beast tea set and her Leap Frog refrigerator magnets that play music (lovingly given by Ben and Mary). Sometimes when she starts to get fussy about something I just tell her to go press "Farmer Tad" a character on the magnet set and this cheers her up 9 times out of 10!

The Sugar Plum Fairy Visits Glendora

Last night the Sugar Plum Fairy made a special appearance in Glendora and won the hearts of the city over as she graced the Glendora Harvest Party in Finkbiner Park with all of her splendor. Grace was too cute for words and seemed to love every minute of her Halloween romp. She went and went and didn't want to take her costume off. Abigail and I both commented how it was probably one of our most fun nights as her parents thus far. Such joy, and such beauty!

A trip to the patch!

Gracie's Birthday Week on Video

The past week has been a whirlwind of birthday bliss for the family. Grace was celebrated from Glendora to Brighton, and loved every minute of it. Take a look at some of the footage!

Gracie's First Birthday

We can hardly believe that our little Gracie is already a year old! What an amazing journey this has been thus far. A year ago today God gave us this precious gift that we have been marveling at ever since. She is more fun and more loving that we ever could have expected. We are so proud of who she is and who she is becoming. As she reaches one year, she is now fully on the move (walking and trying to run), she's speaking new words each day and is still as determined and fun-loving as ever.

Tonight Grace had her first birthday party. Grandma and Grandpa Aldrich, Uncle Ben and Aunt Becky, Ruth, Sebastian and kids, along with Aunt Karen were all present for the big event. Below you'll see some of the action, including the letter "G" cake that she enjoyed while donning her party hat. She now looks forward to another party later this week in Michigan as she goes to visit Nana and Papa Gaines, along with all her Uncles and Aunts in the Midwest.

Lil' Miss

This is how Grace lets us know she doesn't want to eat something on her tray these days-- She stacks the unwanted items on her water cup. Today, it was peas and strawberries.













She now sports 18 month clothes! She's enjoying her new walking legs more and more each day and I think is realizing the independence from Mom and Dad they bring. But thankfully, she's still always up for the opportunity to hold mom or dad's hand while she strolls and the little extra support it brings!







When we get our produce, Grace loves to carefully go through the box and investigate each item (not to mention talk to them).