Remmy's 1st birthday party - circus/carnival theme

I had so much fun planning Remmy and Jake's birthday parties.  I did them both far enough out in advance that it wasn't stressful, just really enjoyable for me.  I love a good party.

I decided to do a circus/carnival theme for Remmy with the colors red, blue, and yellow.   I had originally planned to do it outside at a park, but it was supposed to rain that day (which it did, downpour in fact), so I moved it to the cultural hall at our church.  This ended up working out so much better.  I didn't have to worry about the weather, everything was confined to one area which I think made it look cuter, and guests had a place to sit down and eat their food instead of on picnic blankets.

My friend Alison stayed at my house while Remmy and Jake napped and I took Brooklyn with me to set everything up.  I'm patting myself on the back, but I set everything up by myself.  It took 2 1/2 hours, but I was proud! :)  I think it looked really cute and everything turned out how I wanted.

party favor table - circus boxes filled with suckers, a clown nose, jump rope, blow up ball, and circus animal crackers.

This table was the biggest hit.  Alison made balloon animals for the kids and Liz did face painting.  I have very nice and talented friends. 

All the other tables had games that kids could earn tickets and then turn those in for prizes.  It was a fun, family night and I think everyone had a great time.  I loved sitting back and watch. 

My very talented friend Morgan did the smash cash and cupcakes.  Everything looked SO cute and just the way I wanted.  They are the best cupcakes I've ever eaten.  (The whole reason I did their parties two weeks early was because Morgan out of town the weekend of their real birthdays - and I wanted that cake and those cupcakes.  They are that good).

this picture made all the work I put in to the party worth it - she LOVED it! 

randoms

Just clearing my phone and need to put these pictures on here..

Brooklyn finished another dance session.  They do a little recital at the stake center when it's over...this time it was 80's themed.  She did a small group dance with just her group (3-4 yr olds) and then a group dance with everyone together.  I love how focused she is when she's performing.  She is pretty coordinated and also a teacher's pet.  This is the case in preschool, primary, gymnastics, and dance...she is always trying to please her teachers.

She took dance with 3 of her best friends (Lexi is not pictured). Gretta, Brooklyn, and Reese.

I look a little scary with no makeup..

Brooklyn and one of her and my best friends - Alison.  So nice of her to come to her recital!

I love that these two are little fish.  We don't do floaties anymore when we go to the pool, but their swimming teacher told me these tubes were okay.  Every time we go I make them have "practice" time where we work on floating, breathing, etc.  I hope by the end of the summer they are doing everything completely on their own...we'll see!

after FHE trip to Rita's in pajamas.

My friends and I took our oldest kids to Color Me Mine.  One of our good friends is moving, Kandas and her little boy Parker, so it was one last thing for all these little friends to do together. John took Jake (and Remmy) bowling for a free school activity they had while we were gone.

I love this group! 

Brooklyn picked an ice cream cone piggy bank and really concentrated on painting it.  It turned out cute and she is big into earning money now to put in it.

Lexi, Brooklyn, Reese, Parker, and Jackson.  There 5 were all 18 months-2 when we moved down here.  Crazy that they will be starting Kindergarten next year when we are all moving! 

Zoo day with Reese

Diamondbacks game - I bought tickets for a firework game and left Remmy with a babysitter.  We stayed the whole game (it ended up being pretty long) because of the fireworks, but 10 min after the game ended the announce came on saying they were cancelled because of the "wind".  Lame!  We were disappointed, for sure!  The weather seemed totally fine and we would have left earlier if we would have known they would be cancelled.  Oh well!  We still had lots of fun and the kids were really good.

Alison, Tayvri, and Tal came with us.

Jake was laughing so hard at these pictures after we took them.

Mother's Day - church, naps, homemade cafe rio salads for dinner at the park with friends.  It was a good day!

So thankful for these 3.

second half of April

Zoo with friends - trying to use our pass as much as we can before it's in the 100's.

Rose and Remmy - these two are 6 wks apart.  Both so darling I think!

team huddle at soccer - Brooklyn

My old college coach sent Brooklyn and Jake these shirts and bags.  So nice!

Jake getting a haircut from John.  He does really well and sits still the whole time.  

park time - love this smile!

Brooklyn and Madison

Bike rides to feed the ducks.  This night we went there were TONS of turtles too.  They were trying to eat the bread, but the ducks were too fast and they hardly got any.

Group picture at the baby shower I threw for my friend Kali who was in town from Boston.

End of soccer picture - Brooklyn was one of a couple girls and I was so proud at how aggressive she was with all the boys.

My cousin Meg and her girls came to visit us!  That is a nice cousin!  I didn't take near enough pictures, but some of the things we did were swim/BBQ with friends, church on Sunday, splash pad, swimming again, the park, and Rita's.  And of course the kids played, played, played at home which was so fun to see.  

Lucy and Brooklyn at the splash pad

Nora and Jake

Remmy and Meg

Rita's!