Holiday Heads-Up

As Christmas is just around the corner I know that we will all be decorating for Christmas and partaking of special holiday traditions.  I would love everyone to send me a picture of their Christmas tree after it is all decorated for me to share.  Also you can send pictures of special decorations or traditions that you celebrate in your home over the holidays.   

I will start by sharing one of my traditions.  Every Thanksgiving evening I watch the original Miracle on 34th Street.  This movie takes me from Thanksgiving right into Christmas.  If you haven't seen this movie, shame on you.  I highly recommend that you watch it immediately!  It is a classic.   

Through the month of December I have decided that I will preview Christmas movies that we watch at our house every year.  

Turkey Round-up

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Here are a few pictures from our festivities.  

 Damian looks like a big boy sitting with everyone on the couch.

 Nice hat Grandpa!

My table. 

I couldn't get a picture without his hands in his mouth.  He must have been super hungry!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Another use for balloons

Balloons are not only a great decoration but they are a wonderful tracking device to put on your child.  The other night  our power went out and it was difficult to keep track of a roaming toddler in the dark.  So I stuck some balloon strings down his pants and then I could see exactly where he was at all times.  Why I didn't think of this sooner I have no clue.  People should do this in the store, you would never lose your child, just follow the big balloon!  The cute thing was, he either didn't care they were connected to him or he didn't know.

Poor lil guy

He was so tired and worn out after going to his 1 year Doctors appointment that he couldn't even make it through dinner without falling asleep.  Poor Damian.

Birthday picture round-up

Some more birthday photos that I had to share with everyone.

He woke up in such a good mood, ready to party.  Singing and balloons will do that to ya. 

 His new tricycle.  By the time it stops raining all the time he should be ready to ride it!

He does look awfully cute riding/sitting on it now.

 Going for a birthday ride to the park in his new wagon.

 Even Charlie wants a ride. 

 His new ball pit, his eyes lit up when he saw all those balls.

He sits in there playing and repeatedly says "ball, ball, ball"

Party Time

Now for some pictures from the party.

He tolerated the hat long enough for me to get a picture of him wearing it. 

He started off slow. 

But finished strong in the cake eating/destroying department. 

Daddy helped him when it was his turn hitting the pinata. 

 Kids need no instructions on what to do when candy is involved.

Yes we had a bouncy house in November.  We were touch and go all morning on whether we would get the bouncy house or not, thank goodness it didn't rain.  The kids had lots of fun in it.   

Even Nana got in on the bouncy house action!

Party Decorations

Here are some pictures of the decorations that I made for Damian's first birthday party.

I went with a safari jungle theme, which also happens to be his nursery theme.  

 The invitation.

 The treat and picture table.

I had a lot of fun decorating the cupcake tower and the cupcakes to match his birthday theme.  I am in love with the giant cupcake, I bought the pan specifically for his 1st birthday.  Also, this was my first adventure with fondant and I think it went pretty well.

 Just in case anyone wasn't sure who was supposed to sit here, I made a sign.

 Not only is my island practical for the kitchen it is also a great place to hold banners!

 Yep, a party.

The favor boxes that went home with the kiddos.

Happy 1st Birthday Damian!!!

Happy 1st Birthday to my sweet little boy.

I will be posting lots of pictures through out the week of his birthday party.

Featuring Miss Adelaide

Last weekend my niece Addie stayed the night at my parents house.  Saturday we took her to play at the Gilbert House.  Damian is still too young for most of the exhibits but it was fun to watch Addie and Nana play with everything.  

 Nana is really good with the giant bubble maker!

 Addie showing her bubble making skills.

Receptionist Addie at the vet clinic.  I'm pretty sure she was calling her daddy asking him for a kitty :)

She had the cleanest doggy in the place. 

Many costume changes and songs were sung in the jungle room. 

 Safari Damian at your service!

Pumpkin carving and mischief

I love watching him experience all these new things for the first time.

 He loved the gooeyness inside.

 I just let him have at it, he had a wonderful time!

 I couldn't help myself, it was too funny.

Skeleton jammies seemed fitting.

If your house was tee peed(hehe) it wasn't him, he just decorated my bathroom.

Halloween goodies

I thought I would share the treats that I made for our Halloween festivities.

I loved making these skeleton brownies, it was time consuming but worth it.  They are cute.

 Funfetti cupcakes, pumpkin shaped of course.

 I made these chocolate skeleton candies.

 No witches were harmed in the making of these delish pretzel fingers.

Papa Murphys gets the credited for this cute Jack-o-Lantern pizza.

 This little pumpkin(real) tea light smelled so good.  That Martha has some awesome ideas.

 The one day I don't mind spiders all over my flowers.

Yep, even my guacamole got a little spookified.

Some yummy pumpkin cookies.  No one went hungry, thats for sure.