Emma Lou's 1st Birthday Party!

Yesterday we had Emma Lou's 1st Birthday Party. It was so much fun. I had planned an owl theme and it turned out so cute. I had ordered this adorable outfit from Etsy. She actually wore the tutu the whole party! The bow didn't last as long. I can't believe that a year has gone by! After the cake/cupcakes and presents, the kids went outside to play. We had to put the "big boy" swings up because James and his friends are getting so big! I was glad my dad's parents could come from Winston Salem (thanks to Uncle Wade and Aunt Brenda for bringing them!).

I ordered a package from Etsy that allowed me to print the Banner, cupcake decorations, invitations, and sign. My friend, Jackie, made the little owl favors and made Emma Lou's bigger with a "1" on it! Mom and I had gotten some fabric with owls on it to use a one of the table cloths.

We actually got all of them on the sofa for a picture! Not bad!

Claire and I have been friends for ever and now our kids can grow up together. I need to write this down, or I will forget. Claire told Haley to give Emma Lou a hug. When she tried, Emma Lou pushed her down...I guess that is what having a older brother does to you! Haley is use to her big sister Katelyn!

Mom gave Emma Lou my first pocket book. It had my monogram on it from when I was little and she got Emma Lou's put on the other side!

Art Project from Pinterest

I had seen an art project on Pinterest where a mother taped the word "LOVE" on a piece of canvas and had the child paint all over it. When the paint dried, she pulled off the tape and you could see the word love! Well, I wanted to do that with James and hang it in my kitchen. I found a small Canvas and found the perfect place to hang it!

Ice!

We didn't have snow this week, we had a lot of ice! It was very pretty Saturday morning, but wasn't nearly as fun as it would have been. Yancey decided to try anyway. He got the sled and took James out. Yancey took him to a place where he use to sled when he was younger. James had a great time, but ended up with his first (and I know not last) busted lip and nose when they fell off! Yancey was more upset by it then James was! James also got to experience his first hot chocolate!

Outside Finally!

Last Saturday was so pretty after it rained all the week before. We got outside and got to play. James rode his bicycle and his tractor. Emma Lou got to go for a wagon ride and got to swing. James had the best time helping Yancey rake the yard. He was actually pretty good at it! James has mastered the rock climbing wall! He is such a big boy!

Snow Day

The other day we woke up to SNOW! It was that crunch snow so we didn't play too long. James wanted to go out while it was still dark to play because he was so excited. Thankfully, it was one of my days off, so we stayed in pj's and had a fun day!

Happy 2013!

It took me a while to get anything posted from the new year. We were truly blessed last year with the birth of Emma Lou. I can't believe that she will be 1 soon. For New Years Eve, they Byrums came over for dinner. Since we both have 2 little ones, we opted for an early night (I think I was in bed by 10)!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was great! I woke James us to see if he wanted to go see what Santa brought and it was like he forgot overnight that he was coming! Emma Lou went straight to the baby doll in the shopping cart. After seeing what Santa brought to our house, we headed to Yancey's parent's house for brunch and "banging of the pots"...a neighborhood tradition. Then we headed to Selma for dinner and to Wilson for the night! Lots of places to go, but lots of fun! As if Santa didn't bring James and Emma Lou enough presents, Nana Jane and Papa added to it!