Mark your calendars!! The Festival of Trees is in 17 days! I have been busy working on Gracie's Tree for the past 4-6 weeks. It has been fun to see everything come together.
Her tree is done!! We have put it all together in my sister's basement and plan on transporting it in a moving truck to the Festival!! My good friend's two sisters are designers and they came and put all of our ornaments and decorations on her tree so that it would look PERFECT and it does! A tree fit for the memory of a very special girl. I won't post pictures of her tree until the Festival starts.........I don't want to ruin the surprise! All I can say is that our tree is not the conventional red and green Christmas tree. When I thought of a theme for Gracie's tree, I knew I could not do it red and green. Those colors just aren't Gracie. So I decided to do it in bright pinks and apple greens with a healthy dose of blingy, shiny, crystal ornaments!! Super girly and super cute!! We have some fun things to go around the tree. It will be every little girls dream. Everything I would buy for Gracie if she were still with us.
We couldn't have done the tree in the way we did without all of the GENEROUS donations from all of our friends, family and blogging friends out there. So for that I give a huge Shout Out to all of you!! We really, really appreciate your support.
A lot of people have asked us how the whole thing works and how they sell the trees. The Festival has an auction the night before they open it to the public. Tickets are $30 and that admits two adults. Once inside, there is a silent auction on all of the trees there. If the trees do not sell the night of the auction, then they are sold to the general public the remaining days of the Festival. Tickets for the general public are $4.oo (discount $3.50) for adults and $3.00 (discount $2.50) for children and $3.00 for Senior Citizens. Wednesday Family Day $14.00. Discount tickets are available at Zion's Bank.
I hope everyone has a chance to attend the Festival of Trees this year. EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR of the proceeds go to Primary Children's Hospital. Everything from the money they make on admission to the items they sell at the Sweet Shoppe will go to the kids at Primarys. What a WONDERFUL cause. I can't think of a better way to start out the Christmas season than to give something to those in need.
Hope to see you there!!
My sweet angel baby......we miss you so.....
(Gracie 4 months old)
30 comments:
Oh I can't wait to see the tree!!! I have so many great memories of going to the festival of trees when I was growing up. I always performed at the festival once a year and then we'd walk around and marvel at the trees.
I wish I was there to see it in person.
We miss Gracie too.
Andrea
Thanks for posting all the details about the Festival. We've made it a tradition to go every year since the year a tree was donated in memory of Dominic. We try to be as generous as our means allow us. We always love the scones and cinnamon rolls, and the younger kids love the little workshop corner.
We will be going again this year, of course. We are also doing a tree. I don't think it will be quite as fantastic as Gracie's, and I'm a little worried about if it will be special enough. But just that it is coming from our hearts, I know that Bridget will know we love her and want to help in the way we can. It is just a 4.5ft tree, but we have had generous donations from IKEA to help us set up the display as if it was a baby's nursery.
Anyway, it will be a little more special this year. I'll have my 2nd grader look for Taylor's little sister's tree. It's been good for her to see that there are other children who also have siblings in Paradise, and even though I never met Gracie, since the night I read your blog about Gracie dying at PCMC, then the funeral at the same church Dominic's funeral was at, I have felt somehow connected to your family. I think maybe those of us who are waiting here will be neighbors raising our little ones there (if I am worthy, I know).
What a beautiful picutre of Gracie. Tears are now falling. She truly is a beautiful baby, and her smile is truly that of an angel. My heart aches for how much you must miss her.
Her tree sounds beautiful, and from all you've ever said about Gracie, it seems to be a perfect fit for her.
I pray that our Father in Heaven holds you close this Holiday Season.
Love to you, your family, and to Sweet Gracie.
Okay i too have tears coming down. What a beautiful little girl. I can't wait to go see gracies tree, i'm so excited to see the fun stuff you guys have been working on.
We won't be in Utah during that time or we would definitely go. So, you have to post lots of pictures of the tree once the festival opens!
We will be thinking of you and your beautiful family this holiday season, knowing Gracies sweet spirit will be there with you!
I cannot wait to see the tree. I'm sure every detail is just perfect. Special kudos to you for continuing to keep Gracie's sweet spirit burning bright.
xoxo,
Mindi
I can't wait to see her tree! And all the others :) It's my favorite to go see all the fun trees but this year will mean much more! Good job, you are awesome!!
I wish we lived in Salt Lake! I will just have to wait for the photos!
She is such a special girl and I am so glad you were able to find something special to do in her memory. I can't wait to see the tree!
What a special way to remember and honor precious Gracie! I can't wait to see her tree. Know that my prayers are with you and your family as you face Thanksgiving and Christmas.
ever since easton was born, my dad always bids on something in his name so i can get a pair of tickets to opening night. since i have gone a few trimes, i usually just give them back to him and let him take others, BUT... i told him back in March I wanted my tickets for me this time! it's been on the calendar for a month already...i wouldn't miss it for the world! what a special tribute to a beautiful angel girl. (maybe i'll finally meet you too???)
Every time I go down and look at the tree it makes me happy. It's almost like having a little bit of her spirit here in our home.
Her tree is going to be the hit of the Festival. I can't wait to go!
I can't wait to see her tree!!! We have marked our calendars to be there. I am sure you have made the tree as beautiful and special as Gracie was.
What aisle will Grace's tree be on? I want to make sure I see it. I cannot wait for Festival week to come. It has been such a great tradition for my family. I hope it becomes a tradition for yours as well! If you have the time, look for my Lucy's tree on aisle A.
I am so excited to see Gracie's tree! This is my first year volunteering at the Festival of Trees and I am very excited - hope to see you there.
I can't wait to see the tree. THis is a GREAT idea, and a great fundraiser. I love how you can honor your Gracie and create beauty for a good cause. I love it!
Hi Michelle, just wanted to sneak in and see if there were any pictures up just yet of Gracie's tree... our little family is very eager to see the out come of such a wonderful cause...
Oh Gracie, Mason and I miss you too!!! I'm excited too see your tree!
Since Gracie passed I've been looking forward to this celebration of her. I can not wait to see her tree!!!!! Still thinking of her everyday.
Amy
I LOVE the festival. I can't wait to see Gracie's special tree. I'm sure she will be looking down and loving every bit of it and the love spent putting it together. I hope it brings you some peace in this very hard time of year to be without her.
Just wanted to stop in and let you know I'm thinking of each of you on this day. I hope you have a wonderful day and that the Lord places a calm reminder of our thankfulness of His love and promise. Soon, we'll be having thanksgiving dinner every day at the table of the Lord, right next to our Gracie Girl...
You are in my prayers continually,
COLEs Prayer Team
www.colesfoundation.com
Lindsay Manfull
Oh I so wish I could go! I ended up having my baby 5 weeks early and don't think I want to take him out. I cannot wait to see the pics though!
We just returned from the Festival of Trees and made it a definite point to locate Gracie's tree. We did and it was so beautifully decorated. We don't know you and your family personally, other than through your blog, but feel like we have met and that we got to know you through your trials with your sweet angel baby. It was a nice tribute to her and I know she was there, just smiling that cute smile and enjoying all the sparkle and shine. Great job and have a happy holiday season.
It was nice to finally meet you in person. Gracie's tree really did turn out so beautifully!
Gracie's tree is beautiful! I've followed your blog since Gracie was born, but I've never commented. I went to the festival and searched and searched for her tree. You did an amazing job - what a wonderful tribute.
I loved the tree!!!! It is beautiful just like Gracie! Thank you for sharing her life with us.
The tree was beautiful!
My mom and I have been reading your blog for awhile. My daughter danced at the Festival of Trees Friday afternoon. When she was done my mom and I walked up and down every row looking for Gracie's tree. (We started at the wrong end!) It was beautiful!! You guys did a wonderful job.
The Festival of Trees holds a soft spot in my heart. We lived in Utah for ten years as Andrea and her sister were growing up. Every year my girls would dance and then spend hours walking through the ailes. I baked, donated crafts, and painted ornaments for some trees and felt the spirit of Christ during those Christmas seasons. This year we wish for you LOVE and JOY in the Saviour for making it possible for our eternal reunions in His kingdom.
LOVE, OWEN's Gramma
It was GORGEOUS!!! By far my favorite, elaborate tree. I searched and searched and when I saw it, I involuntarily began to cry. You did a great job. It said GRACIE all over it. Perfect.
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