Busy Baby Showers and Birthday Parties Weekend!

Goodness... This weekend was crazy busy with Baby Showers, Birthday Parties, etc. Wow!

My sweet friend, Kentrina, got remarried last year and is expecting her FIRST child (a baby girl) with her husband, Chris. It is the sweetest story. Kentrina has been my sweet friend since 6th grade! I have been practically begging her to have a baby since she got married (the first time). So, for 15 years, she has never been open to or even considered having a baby. She has always had her wall up and never wanted a child - UNTIL now! I have prayed about it over the years... really prayed to God for him to change her mind... I often told her that life is NOT a life without children... and how she has no idea what she is missing. It made me quite sad that she would not even consider it... and that she would never get to be a mom. BUT......... she got pregnant almost immediately after she got married to her 2nd husband/soul mate. I could not have been more excited... SERIOUSLY... This is like a a miracle in my eyes and I am so thankful to God!! I still cannot believe it!!!!? YAY!!

Here is a picture of Kentrina and me from her Baby Shower this weekend...

(She is going to be such a good mommy to Baby Annaston!)

Next, we headed to my niece, Ava's 8th Birthday Party! I cannot believe my little cuddle bug turned 8 years old! Gosh, where does all the time go... Pleeeease slow down! Ava was not feeling well at her party... actually ended up going to the doctor for running high fever. She enjoyed all her adorable little friends that were there for her party! She's such a character... ;)

Here are some pictures from Ava's 8th Birthday Party...

Some of us Moms at Ava's Birthday Party: Angela, Amelia, Jennifer and Me!

I hope Ava had a great birthday... I love you, little squirt!! XO


On to Sunday -
We enjoyed spending time at my cousin, Lisa's Baby Shower. Lisa is pregnant with her third child. What is different about this pregnancy is that she is having a BOY this time! She has two girls, Alysa and Bella. And, now we are expecting Baby Corbin, any time. She is 37 weeks pregnant, but she might be having this sweet little boy this week! ;) Yay!

Lisa's daughter, Alysa's best friend's mother, threw the Baby shower. She did a lovely job decorating it  and making Lisa feel special! So sweet of her!

Here's Lisa's Shower pictures (my camera died, so this concluded my pictures this weekend):

We had a wonderful weekend... Action-packed and super busy! I can't wait to meet Baby Annaston and Baby Corbin!! Happy Birthday to my niece, Ava, and my nephew, Reed!!! Big kisses to each of you!!!

Have a super fabulous week, friends!

Valentine's Day 2013

Valentine's Day is pretty simple in our home. But, we still show the love we have for each other (the kids and us)! Today, Khloe had a photo session with mommy at this old red barn where we love taking pictures.

Here are some pictures of Khloe at the Barn:


We had grabbed some craft supplies at the craft store today. So, when we got home Khloe made a Valentine's card for her Daddy. She wanted glitter on it and wanted to make a pink heart. Mommy helped her. She had so much fun! She couldn't wait to give it to her daddy when he got home from work!

Here are some pictures of Khloe working on her daddy's Valentine's card before he got home:

Here is Daddy's reaction to Khloe's homemade card she made him...


Daddy even got mommy a little something... A much needed 1 1/2 hr massage with one of our favorite Massage Therapists in the area! Thanks, Daddy!!


Overall, Valentine's Day was a great day! Peyton was so cute today... He gave his girlfriend, Elizabeth, a heart necklace and took her to watch a movie(after school)! I can't believe our son is getting so big! (sniff, sniff) We are celebrating Valentine's Day as a family tomorrow night, too, at one of our favorite authentic seafood restaurants (all you can eat crab legs for $28/person!)!

Happy Valentine's Day, friends! I hope you had a magical day!

XOXO

Khloe's Valentine's Dance Party - 2-11-13

Khloe has been looking forward to her Valentine's Party all weekend in Dance class. We had some fun ideas up our sleeves. We decided to make each girl a goody bag... oh, and Khloe's Dance teacher, too! We, also, wanted to make some baked goodies for the girls to enjoy. So, Khloe chose mini cupcakes with Sprinkles and heart-shaped cake cookies.

Here are the steps to our getting ready for the Valentine's Party:

First, we decided to make the goody bags. It was fairly simple, since it's mommy's passion to plan events and create fun custom items at the events. We didn't go too overboard. Ha! We picked up some hearts paper bags at Wal-Mart. And, a gift bag (for Miss Laine) to match. We, also, picked up some clear smaller hearts bags at Target for the candies to go in. Some of the other goodies in the bags (Valentine's erasers, pencils, stickers, sunglasses, stamps and heart bracelets came from Target and Hobby Lobby. The ribbon, tulle and patterned papers came from Hobby Lobby. And, all candies came from Wal-Mart.

Once all the goodies were placed in each bag, I folded the tops of the bag (once) and hole-punched two holes through the fold (at the top) about 2 inches apart (for the ribbon and gift tag to go through). Then, I cut a little less than 1 foot of ribbon and tulle to pull through the top of the bag.

Next, I ordered some custom 2" round Valentine's stickers from a shop on Etsy. I peeled the stickers and stuck them on a 3x3 square piece of patterned paper (purchased from Hobby Lobby). Once the stickers were placed on the paper squares, I cut about 1/2 inch circle around the sticker itself. This would be my gift tag for all the gift bags. Once I punched a hole at the top of the tag (with the hole-puncher), I pulled it through the ribbon at the top of the bags.

I cut two different types of ribbon with the tulle. I tied a knot in the ribbon at the top of the bags(once the tag was applied), to close off the bags.

Here are the goodies on the inside of the goody bag that Khloe and mommy picked out:

I made a big, fluffy tulle bow on the outside of Khloe's teacher's goody bag. Here is Khloe's Dance Teacher's goody bag... and the goodies inside:

Here are all the fun goody bags lined up by each other! Voila! Complete... Success!

Bags laid out with Khloe's dancewear for the Valentine's Party!

Next, we started baking the cupcakes and cake cookies for the celebration! Khloe was mommy's big helper in the kitchen today. We had to make a quick run to the grocery store; we didn't have pink icing (which is a must have on Valentine's Day!). Let the baking begin!!

Off to Dance Class... Here are the girls dancing:

Party Time!!! Finally, Khloe's Valentine's Dance Party after dance class concluded!

Miss Laine LOVED her gift! Aww!!

The girls had a wonderful party... Until next party! We LOVE our dance class and teacher!