Evelyn's Birthday Party

I think in my last post I stated that I hadn't talked about Evelyn's birthday yet when in fact I had talked about it I just didn't talk about the birthday party.  So let's party!!

We went with a Minnie Mouse theme this year and I think everything turned out fantastic.  Evelyn got the cutest red and white polka dot dress for her birthday from family in Missouri and I just knew it would be perfect for her party.  I wanted to pair it with a cute little pair of black shoes to make her Minnie Mousey but after getting home and trying the shoes on with the dress and it was a big big no.  She looked like she was wearing old mens shoes.  It was a sight to see so we went with her white sandals and called it good. She refused to wear the mouse ears so I guess it wouldn't have worked out anyways to make her a little Minnie.

This year was so different than last year because she was actually able to run around and play with the other kids.  I love watching her with other children because she's just not around them a lot.  Her cousins from Texas came up and she became really close with them over the week they were here.  She  asks where her cousins are every morning when I drop her off.  It's pretty stinkin' sweet :)

It sure does take a lot to get ready for a child's birthday party.  I know she will not remember this when she is older but there will always be pictures to look back on and I want her to know how amazing she is and how I will make 96 red bows for the top of the cupcakes to show how much I want everything to be awesome for her.  It may be the last time I get to pick the theme myself for her birthday :( I'm excited to see what her interests will be as she gets older and more independent.  

Towards the end of the evening I think the older kids and adults had the most fun playing dodgeball with the balls purchased for the kids to play with.  And let me tell ya, no one was taking it easy on each other and those balls can sting!

It was a great party and I'm thankful for everyone that came out to celebrate this girl that we are absolutely gaga over.  Thank you Ashley for taking pictures! It means a lot that you don't mind capturing these moments for me so I'm not behind the camera for all the fun.  

Happy birthday sweet baby!  Momma and daddy love you!!

Have a great week everyone!

-April

Fourth of July: The Party

Now that I have made you all hungry from the last post let's get to part 2 of the fourth.  The PaRtY!

It really wasn't supposed to be "party".  I thought it was just going to be a little get together so the boys could practice their smoking skills but that's not how it turned out.  The guest list just kept getting bigger and bigger.  Of course that meant I had to get this house together and obviously throw some decorations up somewhere.  A little festive stuff hanging from the ceiling or some balloons tied to something always makes me feel happy and adds some fun to the event.

The "party" ended up being kind of a small family reunion for me.  Two of my cousins were in town with their kids from Kansas visiting their dad so they all came out.  My cousin Jared brought his son and girlfriend over and of course Kaycee had already planned to be there- Smoking Hot Denver belongs to her ;)

Evelyn took real quick to her cousins and pretty much played with them until they left.  It was nice to have everyone together for a little bit just enjoying each others company and I think they were all happy that they made it out.  

It turned out to be a good night and everyone was gone and we were in bed before 11:00.  (Win!) Now that's my kind of party.  Evelyn even got to sleep with us because she was not liking the fireworks.  At. All.  And in this neighborhood they go off until the late late hours of the night.

Red White and Blue

1-Gladys Jade and I having some hangout time.

2-My niece Aubrey taking some selfless with my phone.

3-Cousin Mia and Evelyn hanging out.

4-Evelyn's worried face while fireworks are going off.

These kids were so sweaty and red-faced.  It's funny how kids just have the best time running around.

The Cousins

Chandra, Kaycee, Brittany, Amber, Me, Adam and Jared in the back.

Amber and Adam are my siblings.

We are missing Aaron who was in Texas.  (Next time Aaron, next time.)

I don't want to leave out that we also have a cousin Zach but he passed away when he was just days old.  I always wonder what role he would have played in this bunch.  Cause we are a special one :)

Kids of the Cousins

Again, we are missing Abigail and Christian because Aaron lives in Texas.  It's hard to get us all together so these pictures are pretty special.

I know I jumped ahead with talking about the 4th when Evelyn turned TWO on the 3rd but those posts are on their way.  Promise.  

Happy midweek tomorrow! :)

-April

Fourth of July: The Meal

My house lately has become one hot smokin' joint. (And it smells fantastic!)  Zach and Denver recently took a cooking class where they learned the many many techniques of how to smoke some tasty meat.  It's pretty much the main topic of their conversations nowadays.  I thought the 4th was going to be just one of our typical little cookouts at the house but it didn't take me long to realize that it would not be the case this year.  This year it was going to be an all day (as in 12 hours) prep, set up, party and clean up kind of day.  My feet were in need of a rub on the 5th!

The guys started the meat around 10 in the morning and it was finally ready about 6 when our guests starting arriving. It was a day full of thermometers, cutting boards, knives, slabs of meat and 2 grown men who had smiles like kids on Christmas morning getting to play with all their new toys.  They were loving every minute of this and I heard them both say at the end of the evening what a fun day it was.  If I recall correctly (and I am) they both sent Kaycee and I texts that said "This is the best day of my life" during their all day cooking class a couple of weeks before.  I have a feeling this is going to become an expensive hobby.  They plan on entering some contests so maybe they can win us some big bucks.  Now that I am being forced to watch all these BBQ shows I know that they can win a pretty good chunk of change.  I've been promised the role of handing out samples when they finally do enter a show.  I wonder if I'll get paid for that???

There was quite the spread to choose from.  Ribs, brisket, hot links, burnt ends and something they referred to as a fatty.  Some sort of meat wrapped in meat, wrapped in meat.  I have to say, it looked very pretty all bundled together and it was pretty dang tasty.  I had several servings. #notembarassed

Pretty much everyone in attendance raved about the meat saying it was some of the best brisket they have ever had.  I think the guys walked a little taller the next day.  Since Kaycee and I will be in Oklahoma City all day tomorrow Denver is coming over so him and Zach can have a meat practice day.  Not even sure of their plans cause I will be at a wedding show doing girly things.  :)

So much of this post is dedicated to the cooks that I will save the rest of the party for next time.

Good job guys!! 

-April

The Big 2!!!

What a busy busy long weekend we've had around here.  I've been looking forward to this weekend for awhile now and there is a slight wave of depression rolling through me knowing that tomorrow it's back to the real world with the return to work.  As always I am thankful for my job and put my best foot forward every day but it sure does sound lovely to be a famous author who writes from her cozy writing room at home who becomes one of those classroom moms who gets to go to all the holiday parties.  Yeah, I can see myself living that life :)

But let's not rush that classroom thing yet.  I'm still enjoying the little baby toddler running around the house who recently starting asking us "What the tarnations you doing" when she walks up to us.  Oh, this child, she is the best!

On Thursday, Evelyn turned the big two and I think mommy and daddy took it pretty well.  We had a nice breakfast at Waffle House and then made our way to the mall.  There's not a whole lot a 2 year old can do so we went to the Disney store, bought her a few new things and rode the carousel. She did better this year than last year.  When we got off of it she said "Try again!"  
Second time around=success!

She had several visitors throughout the day and got lots of cool stuff.  She understands a little better what a present is but she still needed some help getting started on the unwrapping.  By Christmas I bet she's got it down!

Her birthday party is this Friday so she might have the skills down by then to rip those packages open :)

A fun filled day!

I'd say she is pretty loved.

We also hosted a 4th of July cookout on Friday but I'll save that for the next post.  Nap time is over and  I gotta go love on my baby toddler. 

Happy Sunday!

-April