In our house the first birthday is a pretty big deal. Michael and I always tell each other that if we make it to the first year we have "survived". There are a lot of changes that happen the first year after the addition of a new baby. 

Miss Emma or also known to her brother and sister as DoDa is the sweetest baby. She loves kisses, being held, her big brother and sister, anything to do with outside, and her daddy. Emma has been the perfect addition to our little family. 

On Emma's birthday she partied with family and friends. Her party was pretty early in the day, because lets face it babies are just happier in the morning. We had brunch which included: 3 egg casseroles, pancakes, fruit, cupcakes, and all the sprinkles for this little girl!

She cried when everyone was looking at her and singing to her (she comes by that honest). Her big sister and brother tried to make her feel better and help her eat her cake, but unfortunately that day cake was not her thing.

Sweet Emma your daddy and mommy love you to the moon and back. We can not wait to see what the Lord has in your future.  You have been exactly what our family needed.

Since David Micheal's actual birthday was on Thanksgiving Day this year, I decided that we would have his party the weekend before. I don't want his birthday to get lost during the Thanksgiving holiday. We still kept it small with only inviting family this time. We were thankful that a lot of our family was able to come! (Thanks for coming: Grandma, Dan, Uncle Justin, Aunt Jessica, Cousin Luke, Cousin Aveley, Grandmommy, Aunt Callie, Aunt Momo, Aunt Meme, and Aunt Rara.) 

His party was Nautical themed. I hate that I did not take pictures of it all (mom fail!). Thanks to Aunt Rara for taking the ones we do have!

This little boy really loved opening up his presents! He knew just want to do!

 David Michael was not a big fan of the cake at all! I think it was more because his hands got sticky before he even tasted it.

David Michael received a bike from his Gandmommy and Papa and he absolutely loves it! He can't quite ride it by himself yet, but he loves to climb on and off of it by himself.

I used this link to print off some free banners and place cards for all the fun food. We ate catch of the day (goldfish), seaweed dip (spinach dip), sailboats (cantaloupe), blueberry croissant casserole (buried treasure), baked apples in the crockpot (pirates booty), and then for lunch we had vegetable soup with crackers (one of David Micheal's favorite foods).

We also used David Michael's birthday to reveal the gender of our new addition. We told our family the once he smashed his cake they would know the gender. Well... since he didn't want to eat his cake we had to ask for some help from his big sister. 

Everyone now knows that Emma Faith will be joining our family sometime in the spring. We are overjoyed to add another little girl to our family!

We had a wonderful time celebrating David Michael! We are so thankful he is in our family and could not imagine life without him! Even though the beginning of his life was not the easiest, he now fills our house with joy and laughter!

 We had a wonderful party filled with family and pink! 

She was a very spoiled little three year old.

We served hotdogs with all the toppings for lunch (one of Grace's favorite things to eat). For the sweets department: banana strawberry layered cake, chocolate dipped pretzels, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, pink and white iced animal crackers, rice crispy treats, zucchini bread, chocolate chip cookies, homemade pink ice cream!

We were so blessed that all of Grace's family was able to make the jouney to celebrate her life! 

 

Grace how we love you! You make us better people and teach us so much everyday!

As I said in my last post, Grace is obsessed with "hop hops" aka rabbits, especially Peter Rabbit. We read "hop hop" books before bed, we watch "hop hop" on the tv, we draw "hop hops". So it was kind of a no brainer when I decided the theme for birthday #2.

I stole the bunny garland idea from here. I just printed off the template, cut out the bunnies on colorful cardstock paper, glued cotton balls and strung them together. They are still hanging in our kitchen because Grace likes to point them out every day and it makes it smile.

 I made these little bunny cups which I think the kids thought were pretty cute, but really impracticable. Also another pinterest idea found here. I also made the silverware into carrots, but I do not think I took a picture of them, but you can find them on pinterest here.

As far as the menu:

Bunny tails (jumbo marshmellows)

 Carrots and Ranch (can a Peter Rabbit be complete without carrots?!?!)

 Blueberries and Strawberries

Carrot Cake ( recipe here, I just eliminated the nuts for allergy reasons)

Bunny cheese crackers

For lunch:

Hot dogs, grilled chicken, baked beans, pasta salad, chili, slaw, chips, sweet tea, juice and plenty of water.

I do not claim to be creative, but I sure can search pinterest well. I really just love making birthdays something special. Hope this will help you with some of your future parties.

Grace is crazy about "hop hops". AKA Peter Rabbit. So I just ran with the whole Peter Rabbit theme.

 More to come on all the party details... Stay tuned.

Grace, we love you more than words can say. You are the sweetest, silliest little girl around. You amaze us every day, and although we would love for time to stand still so we can keep you this little forever, we can't wait to see what's in store for you as you grow up. 

You are our pride and joy!

Happy 2nd Birthday!!!