Saturday, we celebrated Ella’s birthday with our friends. These invitations were sent out to our friends, since our family is pretty far away. ***Disclaimer*** Please note: While planning this party, or any other party, I search blogs and websites. I get ideas, and don’t necessarily remember which sites they came from. So if you happen to see something that you think came from your site and want credit, let me know. I’ll gladly edit my post to add your name in.

The invitations read (most of it was borrowed from another invitation I found, not sure where, though.) :

Polk-a-dots and Little Black Spots

LadyBugs and Tiny Tots

Our “Little Lady” is Turning One

So Fly On Over and Have Some Fun!

The Infestation Will Be Held in Ella’s Garden

(Insert Address)

At (Time) on (Date)

Give us a Buzz at (Phone number)

A Feast Will Be Waiting For All Buggy Friends

So Come Ready To Dive In!

We Hope To Spot You There!

Head Gardeners: Kevin and Brittany

As we were getting ready Jameson got his hand stuck in the candy jar.

He didn’t like the fact that he had to let go of the candy to get his hand out.

We started off by coloring our front windows to look like a flower garden. Jameson was coloring on the back window, and Kevin couldn’t help but draw with us. It was too much fun to not join in.

The dots on the door are little lady bugs I made. They were stuck all over inside the house, also. This was for a game to be played later.

As you came in the front door, this is what you saw… “flowers” lined the wall. (My original plan was to tie them to green “grass” bundles, but the pedals were too heavy and the balloons didn’t float with them on. So we improvised.)

I made some tissue pom poms to fill where extra love was needed. Each child had a hat, which lined the top of the piano. The girls got lady bugs, and the boys got frogs. (The hats were found at Michael’s in the dollar bins.)

The table provided all the treats: candy, cake, cupcakes, soda, juice, and water. I found lots of different vases at thrift stores and filled them with red and black candy: jelly bellies, licorice, raspberry gumdrop candies, cinnamon bears, Swedish fish. I found a bug catcher kit at Michael’s that included the little bug catching net used as a scooper.

We had moved both couches to the family room, providing more space in the living room, and a place for the Dad’s to hang out in the other room. The food was set out on the sideboard and counter tops. We served pulled pork sandwiches, chips, macaroni salad, chicken nuggets, and french fries. I set out our picnic blanket, and all the kids got to eat on the blanket. The parents got to stand or sit where ever with their plates.

After the kids were done eating, they gathered on the blanket for a story. I read this book:

At the end, when all the ladybugs had flown away, instead of turning the page to find the ladybugs, I told the kids they had flown all over the house. I gave them each a bucket and told them to go find all the ladybugs. Once all the ladybugs were found, we played “Put the spot on the Ladybug.” The little kids were just given a dot, the older ones were blind folded, and the oldest got spun first.

Our finished Ladybug… (you can tell we have a lot of right handers)

Once our Ladybug had spots again, it was time for another game. I had leaves for the kids (made from foam) to spread across the floor. Then they each got their hats on.We had 11 ladybugs and 4 frogs. The music played and they flew from leaf to leaf, and then jumped to each leaf. After a few rounds, I took some leaves away. Of course, the ones that didn’t have a leaf were sad, so the next time I took all the leaves. Once all the leaves were collected, and I saw a bunch of sad faces, I told them it was time for cupcakes. That cheered everyone up.

*I did not do winners and prizes, because at this age, if one gets a prize they all want one. I didn’t want any tears shed at the party for not getting a prize, so no games had winners. *

We sang “Happy Birthday” to Ella, and all the kids helped blow out her candle. Then they were each given their cupcakes to eat on the blanket. We had chocolate cake and homemade strawberry ice cream to go with our red and black theme.

Ella was only given a cupcake. She ate enough cake on her actual birthday.

Once the kids were done eating, I sent them outside to look for bugs and play. While all the kids were outside being watched by the Dads, I cleaned up inside. The picnic blanket was shaken outside, and trash picked up. Then I filled their little buckets with the candy that was on the table. After the buckets were filled, I tied a red or black balloon to each bucket. That was their party favor to take home. Once that was all done, the kids came back inside to open presents. Since Ella isn’t so big on opening presents, I let the children that brought the gift open it. That way, they each got to open a gift.

We tried to take a group shot of the kids. This is all that would sit still. While these pictures are being taken, Ella and her friend were sitting on my lap. One of Ella’s gifts was a baby doll, and these two little girls started fighting over it. I was laughing as Ella and Lilah pulled the box back and forth until one hit the other one. Oh, are we in for it.

So if you look, you can see the two little girls on my lap fight over a pink box. Ella received lots of clothes, a baby doll, and a book from friends , and a little kitchen toy from us.

As everyone left, they got to grab a box with a balloon.

A few friends stayed to help clean up. While we cleaned, the kids all sat down for a movie. It’s a good thing we have lots of little chairs, because they all want to sit on one. I was laughing that they were still wearing their hats.

After cleaning, while these children watched a movie, we had a photo shoot happening in the other room.

Jameson ate candy and wore his hat until bed time. After everyone was gone, all of us took a nap. Except Kevin. I think he played computer games. We had an eventful, fun day. We’re so glad to have made such good friends that will celebrate birthdays with us when family is so far away.

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us!

(The ladybug on the left is an extra I found from our “Find the Ladybug” game. The card and ladybug on the right was made using my new toy… a Silhouette SD. Man, I wish I had that before the party!)

The Thankyou card reads:

I’m one lucky lady to have friends like you

To come celebrate my first birthday and have cake too!

(Insert personal message thanking them for gift)

Bugs and Kisses!

Ella

Those will hopefully get sent out tomorrow. Happy Birthday to our Baby Girl! We love you so much, Ella!

After getting call from the post office, we learned we had a few packages waiting for us. I knew this, since one was guaranteed to be here Wednesday and it wasn’t. Kevin went to the post office and after some confusion, they sent him to the closer one. He came home empty handed only to have me explain in more detail, and send him back to the post office. Finally, the mix up was resovled, and he came home with 2 packages. While he was gone, we also received on at the house. Grandpa Judd sent something for the kids…

Jameson had to put his shirt on immediately.

Then he got to open a package from his friends in Reno…

He immediately went and got his pillow off his bed (which has Cars on it) and replaced it with his new Buzz pillow. We stick true to the story line around this place.

He then had one last present to open from Auntie Erin and Uncle Jeff (my college roommate who is awesome)

We may have to take this one apart and find the speaker. It is seriously loud, and tape over the speaker doesn’t help at all. Big Buzz, along with every other toy he got for his birthday sleeps in his bed with him every night.

Thank you to all who spoiled my child and spent even more money on shipping. We really do appreciate all you do for us.

August 13th was our anniversary. Kevin got us tickets for Teatro ZinZanni. It’s a dinner show complete with circus acts, improv, and cabaret artist along with a five course meal. It is in a tent known as a spiegeltent which is dutch for “mirror tent.”  It’s decorated with mirrors and stained glass. The tent was incredible. I think they told us on our way in the tent was an 100 years old this year. We sat at a table with 5 other guest, all happened to be women. I was glad we were in a booth and not on the floor. I would not have wanted to be one of the guests they pick from the audience to be part of their acts. It was really fun, and the food was really good. Surprising since they are preparing about 300 meals all at the same time.

(They gave us the boa’s to wear. The idea is to dress extreme.)

In the last 5 years we have…

• Had 4 homes
• Lived in 2 states
• Finished two BS degrees
• Completed 5 certification
• Received two lovable kids
• Had 10 different cars… holy crap that’s a lot (didn’t realize till I stopped and counted)
• Had 4 motorcycles
• been able to visit family every year in 3 different states
• faced many trials which we hope we have learned from
• grown closer as husband and wife
• Had many, many fun times (some documented on our blog)

A few weeks ago Kevin and I were up till like 3 am just talking in bed. It felt like we were dating again, when you stayed up till all hours not caring. It didn’t feel like it 2 hours later when I had to get up to feed a baby, and then 3 hours later when a 2 year old woke me up, but I loved it. I’m so glad we can still talk about nothing and learn about each other. Kevin told a friend of ours he was up late just talking the night before. His response was, “You guys still do that?”  Yes we do! Hopefully this next year won’t have as many trials as this year did. I would really prefer a “smooth sailing” year. I do love him, though, and I’m so glad he is so patient.

(August 1-5)

We spent the first week of August in Vegas. Please remind me next time I want to go to Vegas in August exactly how hot it is. It was ridiculous.

Monday, we got to visit Erin at work. Jameson was occupied by taking pictures of Erin. He wanted her to take pictures at the same time, which made it difficult to talk sometimes.

I think we left the mark of children in her office. A little formula on the chair, and a mess. Thanks for letting us invade your office and see you at work, Erin! Jameson loved his bag of goodies.

After our time with Erin, we got to go over to Aunt Dar’s house for Hayden’s birthday. I can’t believe he is 12! I remember when we would beg to baby sit him, and then, we would finally get to only to have him cry the whole time. Well, that’s not true. Who ever he would stop crying for, that person is the only person who could hold him the whole time. He wouldn’t go to anyone else. So if you were the lucky one he stopped crying for, it was lots of fun.

Jameson wanted to help blow out the candles, so I think we lit some more.

And, Ella got to meet Aunt Dar.

We had a great time, and ate some yummy cake. I’m glad we were in town and able to celebrate with Hayden on his birthday.

Tuesday, Christina came over with the kids, and Grandma let us go swimming. She entertained the babies, and watched after them till they joined us in the pool. For as long as I can remember, Grandma has sat by the edge of the pool, watching us swim. It doesn’t matter how hot it is, she never complains, and doesn’t even care when she gets splashed.

That night we went to Erin’s for dinner. She made us some yummy pasta, and even invited visitors. Her mom and Marc came to see us, too. Erin also bought Ella a fabulous tutu we had to immediately put on her.

We had a great time, and then got back to Grandma’s and got ready for bed.

These two are actually becoming friends.

Wednesday, we got up and met Christina and Jenna at the park. It had a splash pad, but no grass. The “no planting grass” in Vegas just makes it extra hot. I think it was 108 degrees that day. Preston was worn out after running around, and decided to get warm by laying on the cement.

Kayden and Jameson found a shady spot to eat their snacks.

By noon, it was way to hot to stay outside. We headed over to Jenna’s to play for the afternoon. I stopped by McDonald’s to pick up lunch and a smoothie. Let me tell you, their Berry smoothie was my only saving grace on this trip. I haven’t had one since, but on those hot days in Utah and Vegas, it was delicious. I highly recommend them.

After giving the babies some naps, we went swimming at Jenna’s neighbor’s. Jameson really got into swimming on this trip. He actually ventured out into the pool where he couldn’t touch, and could swim around. I wasn’t so sure, since he just had floaties. He doesn’t quite get that you have to get your legs behind you and then kick. He did awesome, though.

Laura was practicing snorkeling for her trip.

We had so much fun with them. I really wish we got to see them more. After swimming, we headed back to Grandma’s. We took some naps, and then met Dad and Weston for dinner. After dinner, we went and checked out Dad’s apartment. Jameson loved the shark head dad got him. I think it was broke before we even left that night.

Thursday morning we got all ready to leave. Weston and his friend, Ethan, came to pick us up. After some spectacular packing by Weston and me (mostly Weston), we got everything in the truck. The kids did great on our drive, and we made it to Sacramento around bedtime. When we got there, we found a new gate being installed around the pool. Thank you Don and everyone else for installing that. It took a lot of stress away, knowing the pool was blocked off.

We had a great time in Vegas… even if it was ridiculously hot.

Saturday, June 11th, Jenny was having her graduation party. I didn’t feel well, so I tried to take a nap while everyone else watched my kids for me. Weston was kind enough to watch Ella and Nikki.

I’m not quite sure how well the boys were being watched, because they were found like this…

Weston was the DJ while everyone enjoyed the party.

Drew loved the pool and Madison was so good to watch the boys in the water.

The babies were well taken care of.

Grandma with her grandbabies. (Jenna on left and Ella on right.)

Thanks for watching my kiddos while I tried to get some rest.

***Side note:

This girl: was kind enough to take in Nikki for us. It was time for Nikki to go to a new home. With us renting homes right now, plus Jameson and the baby, she was getting neglected. And I couldn’t justify paying extra in rent for a dog that just sits on the couch. So, Lindsay was kind enough to take her in. Big thank you to her!