Birthday festivities!

I've wanted to share pictures and details from Gwendolyn's birthday festivities for awhile now and it's your lucky day! It was a such a joyful time! I think I had even more fun celebrating her birthday than I do my own.

Ok, maybe that's pushin' it (truth be told - I love my birthday) but it was close. 

I was a wreck leading up to the day, but at her birthday party and on her actual birthday - no tears! I don't know how many times I teared up - even just talking about her eating her cake and buying her "1" candle at the grocery store are just two examples. Crazy hormones! Despite hours and hours spent working on decorations, (thank goodness for friends like Erin who give up their free afternoons to make fabric banners and tape hundreds - not really, but it felt like it - of pictures on card stock - we love you Erin!!) my ultimate goal was really just to make it special and meaningful. There was much to be celebrated and much to be thankful for. I can't get over how quickly the last year has gone. Before we know it, she'll be studying for her ACTs, graduating, and headed off to Iowa State! 

I really enjoyed planning, shopping and preparing for the day. (Thank goodness for Pinterest.) And I seem to be in the clear on the budget that I definitely went over. Twice. Tom hasn't brought it up! (Yet.)

Ready for pictures?!

(Remember to click on the collages to view pictures larger if you'd like.)

We served appetizers to simplify things. My parents were wonderful help - Dad did a fabulous job creating fruit kabobs while Mom worked on rye bread, cream cheese, and cucumber stickers. She also brought deviled eggs and stuffed dates. And she arranged all of my flowers. And they hauled antique frames, milk bottles, serving platters, and my old high chair to help complete my vision. (What would I do without my parents?!)

I take a lot of pictures of Gwendolyn, but they all have special meaning. Like the first time she wore shoes. Or went to church. Or my first day back at work. Her first time eating food or drinking from a bottle. The very first time she saw a rainbow, or met family members. So many wonderful, cherished memories! Which means too many to pick from, so I just printed them all! There were photo banners galore. And I loved it!

Fresh flowers in mason jars with fabric runners made for simple table decor.

Wrapping wall hangings/photos in our living room in simple brown and green wrapping paper left a clean palate to help make it all about Gwendolyn.

The Dollar Store was a great place to grab a few goodies for the older kids to play with during the party.

I also loved having my favorite outfits from the last year hanging along our curtains...her coming home outfit, first Easter dress, summer clothes from last year that I just loved, black skinny pants - all so stinkin' cute!

After everyone was eating, they all took some time to write their favorite memory of Gwendolyn from the last year (so fun to read and share with her someday.) On the flip side, they took their best guess at how many M&M's were in the jar. Perhaps with a bit of assistance, Brookie took home the grand prize! I love what she wrote: "I love Gwendolyn because she lives near me. I can't wait until she can talk and play with me." Then signed her name. PRECIOUS.

She didn't really know what to think about all the people giving her so much attention. Turned out she had a double ear infection - bless her heart. What a trooper!

I LOVE the picture of everyone singing to her and snapping pictures. She's just soakin' it up!

Considering we drove to the hospital in freezing cold, snowy weather, I never would have thought people would be able to be outside at her 1st birthday. But then it happened! It was fabulous.

Bath toys!

Dresses!

A (pink!) jean jacket!

Her first purse!

So blessed.

So that was the party! What a special day. So happy to have shared that with our families and one of my best friends who is basically family, Erin.

AND THEN...

Aunt Becca came to visit from Omaha!!!

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That's me still totally jazzed about seeing my sister and getting to spend an entire day uninterrupted with her. And on Gwendolyn's actual birthday to make it even more special! So.much.fun.

We took off Friday morning (she flew in late Thursday night) to go visit Nikki, Jacob and Nathan in Hastings. We went to an indoor play place and enjoyed coffee and muffins and super awesome company. Gwendolyn loved the train tables (but we don't have room for one, Dad *smile.)

She went without a morning nap and almost fell asleep in my lap, but got a second wind.

We love family time!!

It didn't stop there!

After all that fun and a quick nap in the car, we were off to Miss Kathy's house for Gwendolyn's day care party. Even some of the other parents came - so sweet of them. And Kathy is amazing! She asked for a theme suggestion so I told her "cats" and she whips out these adorable cat cupcakes. So cute! Gwendolyn wore the adorable hat that Aunt Becca made her, and used her fork like a big girl. She thought the cupcake was pretty yummy! (So did I.) She had lots of help opening her presents, and had such a great time with all of her friends. I love seeing her interact with the other kids - she gets so excited to see them and fits right in. 

I do believe her favorite gift was her stuffed cat, which has since followed her just about everywhere.

Well if that isn't a birthday celebration, I don't know what is!

And she deserves it....our sweet little 1 year old!

Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!