Emily's First Birthday: A Lady Bug Party!

I cannot believe we just celebrated Emily's very first birthday! Oh my goodness, she is growing so fast into a toddler and not a little baby anymore. It's definitely a little bittersweet, but I know Anna-Kate will be here soon to join all her sisters!

I wanted her party to be a lady-bug theme and I pretty much decided that back when she was born. I love the red, black and white color theme. 

We just had some family and close friends here to celebrate. I did all of the decor, including Emily's lady bug shirt. And my friend Shannon (here's her shop - Memorable Designs - please go check it out!!!) made the Happy 1st Birthday banner. It was nice to have a more "intimate" party! I made some homemade lasagna with Tammy's help, a cesear salad, a pasta salad and rolls. It was also nice to have a "real" dinner and not just party foods! Everything turned out perfect!

Apparently I didn't get many photos of people who were here but I did get some.

Emme's favorite person - my dad/her grandpa! All he has to do is call her name and she come immediately for him. Even if she is sitting on someone else's lap on the same couch as him, she will crawl to him!

Momma and her birthday girl!

Maddy and my sister, Christine

My mom and Ems

Emily had a great time opening her gifts with of course, lots of help from her big sisters showing her exactly what to do! Emily got lots and lots of clothes and diapers! Amen! She also got some great toys, bath soaps, a new sippy cup with her name on it, some money, books, two new pairs of big-girl shoes, ect.

Claire, and all the girls are LOVING headbands right now!!

And then it was cupcake time! Emily LOVED her cupcake! Oh my goodness, she demolished it in two minutes! I loved it!

We love our Emme-girl! Happy first birthday sweet girl!!

The Girls ACTUAL 2nd Birthday/Christmas Celebration

On December 23rd, the girl's second birthday, we had a wonderful family day at home. Tim cooked the girls pink sprinkle pancakes for their birthday breakfast, just like last year.

We had a normal day of lots of dancing, playing, singing and lots of huggies and kisses.

My parents arrived later that day and we got some pizza from the same place we did the year before on the girl's first birthday and since they love pizza, it worked out perfectly.

Nana, Aunt Megan and Aunt Christine came over to celebrate with us too. ANd also, Aunt Kim and Uncle Roger {my bff}. We opened birthday presents and Christmas presents! It was so fun! Aunt Megan had a super special gift to give us and we will never forget it! ;) {More on that in another post}

Aunt Megan got each of the girls recordable story books! They love them and Momma loves them too because it gives Momma a break from reading!

Nana got the girls a bunch of things, but most importantly their new down comforter for their bed! Momma and Dada got one too and WE LOVE IT!!!!!!

And the girl's also got cute new boots from their Great-Nana and Great Aunts in PA!

Again, I didn't pick up my camera too much and instead just focused on the moments with my big 2 year olds!

{Nan, these photos are for you. The girls are opening up their gifts from you and Aunt Suzie! Thank you for it all!!!! We love you!}

After all the birthday celebrations and Christmas celebrations, the girls are now professional present openers. They got some awesome gifts and we are so thankful! 

Happy Birthday Nana!

Today is my MIL, Tammy's Birthday! 

Yay! She is the most patient and kind woman I have ever met, not to mention one of my very best friends. I wouldn't even know where to begin if I didn't have her. She is such a blessing in my life and I never thought I would be blessed with such a wonderful woman and mother to look up to. She honestly holds the keys to keeping me sane through the struggles and challenges of being a mother (probably because she raised my husband, and that deserves an award in itself!). I would be lost without her!

Happy Birthday Nana! We love you sooooo much! We can't wait to see you tonight and celebrate YOU!

Wordless Wednesday: A Winter ONEderland!

Our Royal Day: A Princess Party!

What else was there to do on a very early morning with three little girls and a royal wedding but to have our very own Princess Party!

I knew I wanted to watch the nuptials of Prince William and his lovely bride Kate, so I decided we would have a little party in honor of the newly wedded couple!

I was so excited for this historical event, apparently along with the other 2 billion people expected around the world to watch it live on TV!

I dressed the girls up in their royal pink party dresses and big flower headbands and even though they missed most of the event, I eagerly watched it starting bright and early at 4am! (I didn't get any pictures...blah...I took their dresses off before their nap and then realized I forgot to take their pictures!)

I was so happy to see the event go off without any problems...I mean of what we could see! I wish America would adapt some fun styles, like the lovely hats all the women had on! So fun!

Who wouldn't want to be a real princess? And ride in a carriage? And have your reception at a palace? I can't wait to tell the girls about watching a real princess get married!

 

I loved, loved, loved her dress. The lace was beautiful. However, her hair and her vail could have used some work, but none-the-less she was still stunning and totally fit to be the Queen one day!

 

Congrats William and Catherine!

So did you watch the Royal Wedding of William and Kate?