Autumn’s 1st Birthday!!!!!

I have no clue where all the time has gone, but last Friday the 22nd my Baby Girl turned 1 Year Old! I know everyone says this but it honestly feels like yesterday I was sitting in the hospital bed holding this precious 6 lb. 3 oz. baby girl in my arms.

I can still remember the pure panic I felt in my heart driving home from the hospital. Trying to figure out how I was going to be a mommy to two children and trying to juggle the responsibility and demands that each one of them would need. I can honestly say that God will only give us what we can handle. It was much easier than I had anticipated but also very exhausting and draining. I am so truly blessed to have two amazingly beautiful children and the most wonderful husband and father to my children. What an absolute blessing this little girl is to this family! Thank you God for trusting Brandon and I to raise this sweet baby girl. Autumn we love you with all of our heart, Happy 1st Birthday Baby Girl!!!

 

Now that I am over the emotional shock of my little baby girl turning 1 on to the fun stuff, the PARTY!

Nana & Pampo offered to have the party in their gorgeous backyard so we took them up on the offer. We set up a big canopy in the grass and put not 1, not 2, but 4 pools for the kids to splash around and play in. Two pools even had slides! The kids also had the brand new Swing Set to play on thanks to Nana & Pampo, they sure know how to spoil their grandkids. In an attempt to not overwhelm them and their house with tons of children running around trampling everything we decided to keep the party on the small(er) side. The party theme was Zebra & Hot Pink. It was so adorable and it fit Autumn’s personality perfectly!  We had a huge assortment of appetizers for all the guests. The spread included Chips & Queso, A Fruit Bowl with Fruit Dip, A platter of Celery, Apples and Pretzels with a chocolate chip peanut butter dip, Ham & Cream Cheese Pinwheels, Peperoni Pizza Pinwheels, Cheese & Crackers, and I think that is it. Everyone LOVED all the food and every kid had a BLAST! Needless to say Autumn’s 1st Birthday was a huge success. Thank you so so so so much Nana & Pampo for hosting the most amazing party! Okay, I am done talking onto the million pictures from the day, enjoy!

I made Autumn a special zebra cake for her to have all for herself and all her guests got the cute zebra cupcakes. I was nervous making the cake myself but I was so very pleased with the finished product!

I also made her a special Happy Birthday Banner to match the décor. Again very happy with the final product!

The set up. A big thanks to the Altman Family for letting us borrow the awesome Zebra Pool!

The Spread!

Party Favors. And another homemade touch, every girl got a zebra bow made by me!

Olivia & Autumn

Daddies & Their Daughters pigging out!

Left: Izzy (9 months), Abi (7 months) & Autumn (1 Year). Right: Olivia & Owen.

Cutie Pies in the water!

Linkin, Aria & Autumn

Did I mention how much this little stinker LOVES the water?!?!?

Left: Linkin Jumping off the slide. Right: Matayus snacking away.

“…Happy Birthday Dear Autumn, Happy Birthday to You!”

Cake Time!

Autumn even shared some of her cake with her favorite cousin! P.S. Abi LOVED the cake, good thing her birthday is right around the corner.

Presents! Auntie Kiki & Uncle Chris got her an adorable 14kt Pearl Bracelet.

Everyone gathered around to watch/help.

First Barbie on her First Birthday. Yippie!

The reaction to her 1st American Girl Doll was exactly what Mommy was hoping for!!

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!!!!! Autumn adores her Pampo and the feeling is mutual on his part!

This is her way of thanking them for her wonderful party.

My kids have the most Amazing Grandma’s in the world!

If you are wondering why Owen is not in this picture it is mainly because him and Olivia would not leave each others sides the entire day, not even for a family picture. Those two had so much non stop fun together for about 4 strait hours!

And when the party was over and we were busy cleaning up these two played quietly inside together. They are so sweet!

Playing Catch Up…A Wedding, A Baby Shower and Girls Night Out!

As I am sure some of my avid blog followers have noticed, I have been blog slacking lately. Why you may ask? Well mainly because life has been keeping me very very busy these days. Anyway, I am happy to stop by with a few events that have gone on in the past couple weeks.

Mr. & Mrs. Wade

Two weekends ago a vey good friend of mine, Cammy, married the love of her life, Chris. Brandon and I were so lucky to share in their celebration of love by attending their wedding. Since my parents and sister were also attending the wedding and our normal sitter was out of town we were left sitterless. I called on the services of two of my cousins and they did wonderful. The kids went to them no problem, the house was still standing and kids were asleep when we arrived home. So glad to have some great new sitters for the kiddos. Back to the wedding. What a beautiful ceremony, reception and couple. Brandon and I had a blast. Here are a few pictures..

They were wed at the Albuquerque Botanical Gardens. Beautiful location! Here comes the bride…

The 3 cutest flower girls!

The Bride and her niece Cayden making a wish in the wishing well ceremony. And on the left and my adorable Niece/Flower Girl and Sister on the right.

Bride & Groom feeding the ducks.

My beautiful parents!

Me, Mom, And Sister. Love these ladies!

My sissy and her BFF! Congrats to you both Cammy & Chris. We wish you lots of love and happiness always!

Leah’s Baby Shower:

This past Sunday I had the privilege, along with my friends Kaitlyn & Rachel, to throw a baby shower for a good friend of ours, Leah. Leah is expecting little Ava Jewel Jungels on September 4th. It was so fun having her a special get together and showering her with gifts for baby Ava. Here are some pictures from the day.

 

Between the 3 of us we came up with quite the spread: Spinach, Egg, Ham & Cheese Torta, Chip & Dip, Lots of Fruit and Cheese and Crackers. We were all stuffed by the end of the shower!

There was also the most delicious desserts: Chocolate Cream Puffs and Cupcakes. Yummy!

Decorations that doubled as presents for the mom to be!

And the most adorable party favors for the guests to take home. Inside is a bag of Kettle Corn topped with melted white chocolate and M&M’s. They were so tasty!

And “Showered” she got. Leah got so many wonderful gifts that will be very helpful when little Ava arrives. Many of the gifts she received were hand made. I have never been surrounded by so many talented women in all my life.

I LOVE these girls!!! From Left to Right we have: Rachel, Jess & Isaac, Leah, Me & Kaitlyn!

Congrats again Leah, we can not wait to meet Baby Ava!

Girls Night Out:

Last night my very wonderful Husband offered to watch the kids so I could have a Girls Night Out. Guess he figured with me being constantly busy I was in much need of a night out. We went to St. Clair Winery and Bistro for dinner and then to the Apothecary Rooftop Lounge for a drink and to watch the sun set. It was such a fun night! Thank again hunny for watching the kids for me. Love you!

Left to Right: Kat, Piper, Sarah, Nicole, Me, Cammy, Jessica & Christa.

Me, Cammy & My sissy!

Nicole, Me & My Sissy

Nicole & Jessica. So beautiful!

Brother & Sister:

Well, I got to this point in the blog and realized I have made a huge long blog with no pictures of the kids. What was I thinking? So here you go…

They have become Best Friends Lately. They are always right next to each other and Owen has become obsessed with reading books to Autumn. The bond between these two melts my heart!

However, there are times when Owen needs a little alone time but don’t worry Autumn is always close by. Lol. She is the perfect little sister.

Who could say no to this face?!?!?!?

Or this one?!?!?!?! Parenting is a struggle my friends.