Pink & Orange You Glad I'm Here?

Last Saturday, March 1st, we celebrated Emery's 1st birthday with a little shindig here at the house.  We were beyond humbled by all the friends and family that were willing to spend their Saturday trekking out to the 'burbs to watch our tiny diva smash delicately pinch some cake and show off her new head-shaking trick.  We know that at this age everyone has their own families and own busy to-do lists to attend to, so any time you make room in your schedule for us we don't take it lightly.  From the very bottom of our hearts, we thank you.  Your love, support and willingness to drink a beer for any cause is what makes our world go 'round!

The party went mostly as you'd expect- lots of sweet skeptical baby faces, lots of good laughs, lots of pink & orange, lots of quality time to catch up, lots of frazzled mama and lots of memories made.  Because a picture is worth a thousand words, and I had about a thousand to choose from (THANK YOU JEN & JIMMY JAMES), I won't waste any more visual space with my own words.

Happy Birthday Party, my sweet, sweet angel!

I recommend two things if you're going to make some banners.  1) Measure said banner to be sure it will fit in your house before spending the better part of a weekend on it.  2)  Be sure if you make 2 banners, you remember to hang both.  You may be seeing one that looks very similar at Emery's 2nd birthday.

This Mama spent some quality time watching AI while playing craft time with Emery's monthly pictures.

So thankful for my 9/80s.  P.S. We are still looking for where I put the pots/pans that normally go here.

Nothing says oh-crap-I-forgot-to-take-decor-pics-before-the-party-started like this picture does.

Seriously.  Lots of craft time while watching AI.

Emery, never say that your Mama doesn't love you.  I made these banana cupcakes from scratch.  I'll probably never do it again so let this picture serve as proof that it did happen.

I think I took this picture before all the food was set up.  Timeliness is clearly not my strong suit.

Oh there's my other banner on the ottoman.  Cool.

Grandma, Nonnie & the birthday girl.

My awesome co-workers, Molly & Kevin.  Errr... Becca.  ;c)  Love you Becca!

Aunt Julie, Grandpa, Lynda & precious baby Patrick.

Proof that food did inhabit this table at one point.

Aunt Tiff, Emery & cousin Kylie.

The romper room.  Would you believe this is only a fraction of the kids?  Kylie, Noah's foot, Emery, Anniston & Harper.  (Not pictured: Will, Blakely, Patrick, Avery & Jake)

Lynda, Patrick, Beth & Harper.  Patrick surrounded by women.  Poor guy.

Action shot of the pergola.  What?  Oh yeah- and the party.

Looks a little different than our ol' EY HH days.  David, JT, Brendan & Jonathan.

Av's made it in a picture!

Lola's wondering if its her birthday yet.

Nonnie, Daddy, Mama & Miss Em.  That hat stood no chance.

(I apologize in advance for the bajillion cake smashing pics but it's my (kid's) party and I'll cry bombard you with photos if I want to.)  What is this?  Did one of my classmates frost it?  (Seriously don't look closely.)

What's that Jakey, you think it's edible?

Let me inspect it very carefully.  Mama, is that a tear from this morning I detect?

Yup, I found another one I am pretty sure.

Give me just a minute- I'm not done!

You seeing this?  Lady's trying to steal my cake.

Ok.  You want in on this now?!  Why did you people even give this to me?

That is fine if you guys want to try to take pictures or whatever, but I am just going to keep eating, mmmmk?

Can you believe we made it a year?!

I know I'm a biased mama, but isn't she beautiful?  How on earth did Ryan & I produce such an adorable specimen?

Aunt Julie, Nonnie & Miss Emery.

Pssst... Aunt Tiff, can you BELIEVE they're still taking pictures?  Can't a girl just get some peace around here?  The Martin clan- Kylie, Aunt Tiffany, Jenny, Pam, Grandma, Pawpaw, Great Grandpa & Nancy.

Uncle Matt & Grandpa.

Heeeeeeeelp!

Becca, Tanner, Kevin & Molly with a side of Blakely photobomb.

Mom, look what I got!  I think I have this tissue paper in another color, but we won't tell them yet, ok?  Man, tissue paper is the best.

What are these things attached to the real gift- the tag?

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Birthday to ME.

Meeting Anniston & Blakely

On Sunday April 7th, Shawna, Dena & I finally got a chance to go meet our sweet friend Jenn's precious twins, Anniston & Blakely.  If you recall, Jenn was due the day after me but her sweet ladies made their appearance on February 15th.

It was so nice to see Jenn and to get to meet her newest additions.  I marveled at how at ease she and Taylor seemed juggling their three.  Ryan and I look far more frazzled just handling our one.  Major kudos to them!  The little ladies were every bit as beautiful as their Mama and I can't wait to see how they grow and change.  Thanks for having us Gartz Family!

Aunt Shawna feeding the beautiful Miss Anniston.  She has such an adorably full head of hair!

Pretty Miss Blakely.

I've got my eye on you, woman.  Don't move that bottle.

Happy milk coma with her Mama.

Jenn with Anniston & Dena with Blakely.

The baby whisperer with Blakely.

"Hey Emery- look, this is how you sleep when no one is holding you!"  Love, Your Friend Anniston.

"You can even sleep in a swing."  Smooches, Blakely.

Showering Little Baby A & B

On February 2nd, I attended a shower for my sweet friend Jenn, who as you may recall is due with twin girls on March 11th.  I found out the Thursday before the shower that these little ladies are set to make their debut annnnny time now as Jenn was put on bed rest.  Thankfully she felt well enough to make it to the shower as the celebration must go on!

Jen, Shawna, Julie & I decided to carpool over to Jenn's parents' beautiful home in Clear Lake where the shower was held.  Just like the gender reveal party, their home was decorated to the nines.  All the food was delicious and the decor left us all in a chorus of "awwwwws".  Precious hats, onesies and other adorable baby garb was perfectly placed in every nook and cranny.  Jenn's mom truly might have missed her calling as a professional shower thrower.

We were all treated to wonderful food, company and watching Jenn open a slew of the most adorable little outfits.  The only thing that inspires more ohhhhing and ahhhing than baby clothes for one baby is baby clothes for two of them!  After attending this shower I feel confident that these little ladies are going to be well-dressed.

Congratulations to the Gartz family and we'll be waiting patiently by the phone to find out when Little Miss Anniston & Little Miss Blakely make their world debut.  We certainly can't wait to meet them!

How cute are those little rhinestone letters?!

Mmmmm... Just looking at this makes my tummy growl.

All of this was just as cute as it was delicious.

If you look carefully those M&M's have Anniston & Blakely written on them.  So stinking adorable.

The favor candy bar.  So pretty!

Last but of course not least, the glowing mama.