Happy Birthday Nathan...AGAIN!

This was our final birthday celebration! This party was with our family and "couple" friends and their kids. The theme was still a safari theme, and since I already had one party with Nathan's playgroup friends, it was a little easier to plan and get ready for. Nathan had snake cupcakes for his first party and an elephant cake for his 2nd!

How cute is this cake?! I was so excited when I picked it up! Can you believe it is from the Kroger by my house? When I was talking to the lady in the bakery, I told her I wanted some kind of safari animal for his cake, and she told me she did a great elephant...she was right!

My mom and Grandma

Mama and Grandma were Nathan's first guests to arrive.

Grandma, Mom, and Helen (Wayne's mom)

Nathan's two favorite women (other than Mommy) Mama and Grandmother. These are the two that spoil him rotten :)

Auntie Carrie is pretty good at spoiling Nathan too!

Once Nathan's friends started to arrive, he got so excited and couldn't wait to play so we headed outside to cool off in the water.

Jack, Nathan, Lauren, and Kelly

Heath was totally happy playing with this push toy! He's very easily pleased :)

Willow and Nathan

It was REALLY hot! The kids didn't notice because they had the water to play in. The grandmothers were troopers!

Angela, Jennifer (Jack's mommy), April and Heath

Papa, Grandmother, Auntie Carrie, Uncle Chris, and Josh (Heath's daddy)

After playing in the water, the kids finally worked up an appetite and were ready for snacks.


Nathan was the first to take a snack break, but once the other kids saw Teddy Grahams, they quickly joined him :)

"Daddy, look, I have girlfriends!"

This is the closest I got to getting all of the kids together but we're still missing a few. Andrew was getting his swimsuit on, Reece was running around, and Heath had to leave early.

After swimming for a while, Wayne cooked hamburgers and hot dogs that were so good! I was running around trying to help Wayne, playing with Nathan, getting drinks, etc... so I have no pictures from dinner, but I think everyone dug in :)

And after dinner, it was time to break open the lion pinata.

Nathan took the first swing and then all of the other kids took a turn. While they were hitting the lion and everyone was cheering them on, I started thinking, I hope the kids know this is just a game and not to go around hitting things or people with a bat...oh well!

After everyone took a turn whacking the lion, the daddies stepped in and helped tear it open.

I put gummy snacks inside, and I'm pretty sure Nathan ate 3 bags :)

Nathan even shared with Daddy.

Sorry Mr. Lion

"I'm sorry too, but are there any more gummy snacks in there?"

I also don't have any pictures of Nathan blowing out his candle, only a video. But I'm hoping Carrie took some. Everyone ate some cake, and then the group started to thin out. Jack and Reece stayed a little bit longer and decided to have a second go at the cake.

Nathan tried to re-create the moment by putting on his hat, but when the strap snapped against his neck, he threw it on the ground and wanted nothing more to do with it.

Nathan kept saying, "Lick cake." So after everyone had their piece, Jack and Nathan crawled up into this chair together and we pushed the cake in front of them and just watched. At first, all they did was gently stick their fingers in the icing and lick them.

And then Nathan went for the big bite!

He got a mouthful of icing and was in Heaven!

Jack wasn't about to let Nathan get all of the good bites. He dug in too!

"I think we might throw up Mommy."

So Daddy and Dan give into the temptation and shoved cake into their mouths too! I guess we had 4 two year olds left at the party!

Not only did we beat the lion, we mutilated the elephant too...

The party was so much fun! Nathan was in the best mood and has talked about it every day since. We are all so lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful family members and friends. I love that Nathan had a great party, that all of his friends were there and had fun, that the weather was nice, and that we have such a wonderful little boy. Happy 2nd Birthday Nathan! We love you!

I'm thinking that Wayne and Chris might have gone a bit overboard on the adult beverages. What do you think? Here are a couple of pictures I took of the two of them listening (and dancing) to music after everyone left. Draw your own conclusions...

Surprise Visit

Last weekend, my sisters Carrie and Jennifer came to Dallas to visit. Both visits were completely unplanned but so much fun! Jen called me Friday morning and told me that since she, Robert, and Alexandra wouldn't be able to come the next weekend for Nathan's party, they'd come up this weekend. Then Wayne and Chris were talking Friday night after work, and they decided to be spontaneous and jump in the car and drive up too! It was so much fun to have everyone here, and Nathan LOVED playing with Robert and Alexandra!



Auntie Carrie and Uncle Chris decided to give Nathan his present early, so while Nathan was taking a nap, they quickly put together Diego's Rescue Center.



When Nathan woke up, he was so excited to see his new present.



Thank you Uncle Chris and Auntie Carrie!


Saturday night, Wayne and Chris cooked out for us while we swam, played in the hose, and opened another present.

Aunt Jen, Robert, and Alexandra also gave Nathan his present early since they wouldn't be able to come to his party the next weekend. I think Nathan is beginning to think that his birthday is every day and that opening presents is something he should always get to do!

"You got me Thomas the train?! TANK YOOOUUUUU!"

Along with Diego and Dora, Nathan also loves trains!

Woo Pig Sooie!

Here are some pictures and a video of Nathan calling the Hogs. Daddy and Uncle Chris have spent the whole day teaching Nathan this important life skill! Uncle Cliff and Uncle Mike, this is for you!

Happy Birthday Nathan!

Nathan turned 2 on Thursday! Does this mean he's not a baby anymore??? He's still my baby even though I guess he's technically a toddler. I love this little boy so much and loved throwing him a party and seeing him have so much fun with his friends. The party was definitely a success although we had a few snags getting ready. I did a ton of preparation the night before so all I had to do Thursday morning was get ready, get Nathan ready, pick up the cake, sandwiches, and balloons, fill the ice chests, fill the baby pool, and be ready for his friends to arrive at 10:00 am! What was I thinking?! At least my mom was going to come over early (9:00) to help me get ready.

So I get to the grocery store right on time and pick up the cake and sandwiches. Nathan was so excited when he saw the cake. Then we go to the balloon counter (I had placed my order several days before) and no one is there. A clerk called on the intercom, but still no one came. Finally a guy who works in the deli showed up and couldn't find my order. By this time, Nathan is getting cranky. So I quickly pick out my balloons all over again and have to wait while the deli guy blows them all up. By this time, Nathan has taken off his shoes, is crying to hold a balloon, and yelling, "Home now!!" I didn't bring any snacks or toys for him because I figured we'd be in and out. WRONG! Finally, we get the balloons and get the heck out of there!

Once we got home, Nathan couldn't understand why he couldn't have a balloon to play with (I ordered enough to tie on the stair banisters and have 3 outside on the mailbox). So to keep him happy, I gave him one of the balloons that were going to go outside. Well, as I was getting one of his toys to tie it to, he accidentally let it go, and it floated all the way up to the ceiling. Here come the tears again! So I gave him another balloon, tied it to his doggy right away, and then went to tie ONE balloon to the mailbox. And all the while, we're still waiting on Mama to show up.

At fifteen minutes to go, I quickly set out all the food, filled the ice chests, do some last minute picking up, and then look outside to see if Mama is here yet...nope not here yet, but where is that balloon I just tied to the mailbox?! I guess I didn't tie it tight enough! So I steal back the balloon that's tied to doggy and take it outside...sorry Nathan! Finally, we're ready, and our first guests arrive. Mama ended up being a little late (10:15), but that's ok...she made up for it by bringing the best salad and being the photographer and videographer. Don't feel bad Mama, we still love you...but next time, can you send Papa over early???


It was a safari theme! How cute are these cupcakes?!


I pretty much just used all of Nathan's animals to decorate! He loves safari animals!

Nathan's first guest, Lauren. Look how they're holding hands :)

Nathan got a little shy when everyone sang to him. He smiled at first and then turned away :) But we finally got him to enjoy his moment and blow out his candle. After he blew it out, he said, "More!" and wanted to do it again :)

We then went outside to play in the splash pool, baby pool, and big pool. All of the kids seemed to have so much fun!

Nathan and his friends enjoying his new picnic table.

Nathan stealing some of Mama's food.

When Wayne got home that night, Nathan couldn't wait to show him his "nake cupcakes." We re-enacted singing Happy Birthday and blowing out the candle. I think Nathan blew out his candle 6 times!

Happy Birthday Nathan! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!

Here are two videos of Nathan blowing out his candle for Daddy...sorry Wayne and I have such awful singing voices :)

Nathan's New Picnic Table

Last Sunday, Mama and Papa came over for a cookout and to swim. They also brought Nathan an early birthday present!

Mama and Papa got Nathan his very own picnic table for his birthday!

As soon as they brought it in and he saw the picture, he was ready to take it outside to put it together. Nathan pulled it to the back door all by himself!

So Wayne and Papa got to work getting it set up for Nathan. I took pictures, Mama supervised, and Nathan...

played in the box!

When he sat down for the first time, this was the face he made! Nathan loves it!

Then he said, "Nack Mommy!" So I fixed him a snack of crackers and gave him a juice box. That made his day! Thanks Mama and Papa for his picnic table!