An early Christmas gift...

Our little Gracie is going to be a....

BIG SISTER!

And here's the proof... potentially the 10th stick I tested out.

Officially 8 weeks today at our ultrasound, and due July 1, 2013!

Obviously hard to tell (as usual), but baby #2 is the small blob on the top left :)

We're overjoyed to finally tell our family and close friends the exciting news, and can't wait to be finally be a family of four (or five counting King of course). Please keep our family, and especially our little growing blueberry, in your thoughts and prayers these next several weeks and months to come. Still very early, but we couldn't be happier with the results of today's ultrasound and doctor report. Baby Ullrich #2 is looking perfect thus far, and we are certainly optimistic she or HE (ahh!) will stay that way :)

Lots of love, 

Zach, Britt, Grace and Kingston

Monster Mash

Halloween should come at least twice a year in my opinion. So. Much. Fun! We spent the hours before trick-or-treating taking photos, enjoying pizza and having a play sesh at the Olynnger's down the street. Grace (the scary pink monster) and Harper (the adorable moo-ing cow) couldn't have looked cuter together! I loved every second of the actual trick-or-treat part as well. Watching our confused kiddos confront multiple houses and take candy (that they more than likely couldn't eat) for the first time was a memory I'll never forget. Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

"I hate the monster hat Dad! WHY do I have to wear it?!"  

"Oh ok. I can bop bop? Much happier now."

Happy monster!

Goofy girl...

Distraction was key in keeping the head piece on! 

"Wait... I just remembered it on my head! Ahhh!"

Loving being "sooooo big" on Dada's shoulders.

Monster kisses for Mom.

Grace and her gal pal, Harper. We were loving Harper's cheesy grin all night - so stinkin' cute! 

Monster meets cow...

And only appropriate to greet with a kiss! Haha. 

Just complimenting one another on their snazzy get-ups... 

And another kiss for good measure! :)

Smiley cow!

Lindsay, Harper, Gracie and I.

Mamas and their girls! 

Check out the awesome carved pumpkins next to them! Very impressive Olynnger fam!

"Ok.. I admit it.. the monster hat is WARM. Thanks Mom!" 

Girlfriends.

"Alright monster, I'm off to find candy! Time to move off that step..."

October Happenings

Due to my major slacking this past month, my post will (hopefully) be short and sweet highlighting only a few favorite October events!

On Friday October 5, Grace and I attended Disney on Ice at The Palace of Auburn Hills with our friends Tracy, Lauren and Lexi across the street. Not a feat I would've attempted alone, but Grace did much better than expected pointing when Mickey and Minnie made their way on stage and clapping and laughing appropriately. I was proud to say the least! Super cute show though that will be much more fun in a year or two.

The following week we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Uncle Brock and Carolyn! Of course it was cold and rainy, but that didn't stop us from having a fabulous weekend. After brunch at Commonwealth in Birmingham, lots of playing with Grace, a barbershop/cigar run for the boys and nail date for the girls, we ventured downtown to Streetside Seafood for dinner and Royal Oak for late night festivities. Definitely more fun than we had had in awhile! Thanks again for making the drive you two - so wonderful spending time together and Grace had a blast. 

Grace wearing the crazy, eskimo gear from Uncle Brock last Christmas - finally fits! :)

October 19-21 weekend was another crazy one! My parents and grandparents were kind enough to stay the weekend with Grace while Zach and I road-tripped to Columbus for the Ohio State vs. Purdue game. This was my first game since graduating, and Zach's first Big Ten game EVER. Couldn't have been a more exciting game either with OSU tying it up in the last minute and winning in overtime! We were pumped to say the least. Seeing E-beth and Eric's place for the first time was a huge highlight, and ridiculously fun tailgating and spending time with two of my favorite Buckeyes. Thanks again for hosting such an awesome weekend you two - we're still recovering! 

Awesome seats! Especially for the final few minutes.

On Saturday October 27 we had some new Spartan-cheering friends over to watch the MSU vs. Wisconsin game. The Marks recently welcomed a second beautiful little girl to the family named Elle, giving Grace and her buddy Jane a new playmate! Stacy and I met through Junior League and have loved getting our girls together these past few months. Jane is only a few months older than Grace. 

The girls were obviously very passionate about college football on this particular day...
or just on the brink of an evening meltdown. Not sure :)

Jane, Stacy, Grace and I!

Last but not least, we started our pre-Halloween activities with the Stowell's running the Wicked Halloween 5K in Plymouth. Super fun event that is sure to be an annual race for our families! Costumes were in full force. Grace even participated in the mayhem by busting out her monster costume a few days early. Great practice given the fit she made putting it on!

Carrie and I!

Our scary monster with the Dads sans head piece - not a popular item that morning...

Our remaining fall days were spent outside as much as possible. Our little girl is OBSESSED with her new hot pink car and says "bop bop" (aka "beep beep") every time we step foot outside in hopes to be pushed around the block. Very cute and obviously very hard to say "no" to. 

Stay tuned for more Halloween monster photos to come......

Oh just mowing the hallway at PT....

Grace's first attempts at taking steps, REAL STEPS! Before physical therapy yesterday I was convinced she had no idea how to move her legs in a forward motion. Amazing the strides these little ones take in only a few days time. Keep it up Gracie girl! Walking is in our future :)

Gracie slides!

Fall festivities

We are LOVING this fall weather! Busting out Grace's new cozy Northface and baby Uggs (that finally fit and will probably be too small within a few weeks) was more fun that anticipated last week. 

On Friday we experienced our first trip to Franklin Cider Mill (or any cider mill for that matter) with our new friends, Lindsay and Harper! There are TONS in the area, and such a fun fall activity. Grace picked out a miniature pumpkin and we loaded up on our favorite Honeycrisp apples - delish!

Grace and Harper - only a few weeks apart and live down the street!
Harper is wearing her new Stella & Dot birthday pearls from Miss Grace :)

Last but not least, we ended our week walking the Octoberfest 5K with new friends Katie and baby Lexi. We even pulled Zach away from college football around lunch time for a celebratory beer and brat afterword. 

Lexi and Grace - friends we met in our music class this summer that also live down the street!
Lexi is about 6 months younger that Grace, but same school year :)

Still cheering on the Buckeyes despite not watching the game! Obviously helped :)

Sophie the Giraffe 1st Birthday Extravaganza

Best. 1st Birthday. Party. Ever. 

Thank you to all our family and friends who came out to help us celebrate an entire year of Grace Mackenzie! It was a more beautiful weekend than we could've hoped for, and so wonderful seeing old faces and getting the entire family together. We are beyond blessed to have the caring, supportive families and friends that we do who love our little girl to pieces. The party may have been a tad extravagant, but worth every penny :) The most important part was that Grace had an absolute blast and left the Livingston house sugar-filled and happy.

Our birthday babe all dazzled up for her big day.

The sweets table.
Funfetti cupcakes with pink sprinkles, unbelievable Sophie cake, giraffe sugar
cookies, M&M's,  jelly bellies, gumballs and the most delicious cake pops I've ever tasted.
Thank you Ta Dah! for another amazing display of sugary treats!

My favorite treat - giraffe cake!

Invitation. 

Cake pops and giraffe cookies for guests to take home.

Grace's monthly milestone banner.
Thank you Brooke and Lauren for your creative touches and help!

Amazingly HUGE giraffe that Grandma surprised Grace with! 

Paper flowers made with love by Mom, Grandma Jenny, Auntie Tooks and Auntie Lauren.

Pink lemonade stand complete with labeled mason jars with paper straws!

Toddler Town moon bounce topped off with a GIRAFFE inside :) 

Grace was in heaven playing in the ball bit.

Happy girl in Toddler Town!

Dad's favorite part of the day too.

Grace driving her new, hot pink, mini coop! 

Cousin Ben and Brooke

Sweet cousin couple - Kat and JD! 

My best girls.

Our little family. Can't believe a year has already passed up by!
No more growing Grace! 

Mimi and Papa with their girls. 

Our amazing hosts and very proud grandparents.
Grandma Jenny and Papi with Grace! 

Bri and Miss Grace looking at flowers in the backyard :)

Great-Grandma Faye and baby girl.

Thank you for everything Mom!
Easy to see where my love for entertaining and "going big" comes from -
you are amazing and we truly appreciate all you did to help make Grace's day extra extra special! 

Another proud grandma! Gracie and Nana. 

Kels and Zach. Love the necklace dear :) 

Gracie sharing some "juice" with Opa. 

Getting a little feisty here, but still happy to see Uncle Brock!

Annnnd we're losing it. Haha. 

Gracie and G-parents.

Her enjoyment driving almost scares me.... 

The DELICIOUS spread!

Thank you for all your help Cathy! 

Oh, just playing with my boyfriends Brayden and Josh. 

Rollercoaster fun with Bray-J.

I love her so much.

The birthday hat that last .2 seconds. 

"This whole thing is for ME?!"

Proud, happy parents!

Loving the sugar..

"Who need fingers?! I'm going for it!"

Everyone laughs.. and someone is a little embarrassed!

Pretty much "all done" at this point. Bath time! 

Aunties, Carolyn and Uncle. 

The beautiful Great Grandmothers. 

So wonderful seeing the Hanrahans!

Our long lost friends, Meg and Brayden!
Last time these two lovebirds were together was around 5 months old. 

"I love all my new toys and pretty clothes! Thank you to everyone who stopped my party,
and for all the super nice gifts. I'm such a lucky little girl!"

Hugs and slobbery kisses,
Grace