Playing at the Birthday Party

Here are some pictures of Andrew playing at the party. He kept walking around he clubhouse and pointing to the characters saying, "I see Elmo, I see Grover, I see Zoe, I see Big Bird..." The Elmo tent was very popular, and he loved climbing in and out of the arm chairs too.

Birthday Party Decorations

Andrew is really into Sesame Street right now, so we decided to go with that as the theme for his 2nd birthday party. And with all of our family and friends, we weren't sure how well a party would work at our house. We rented the neighborhood clubhouse to celebrate--here are pictures of how we decorated... I was pretty happy with the way everything turned out. I made all the signs, and the characters on the gate. The cake was quite the project too, and I was so thankful it turned out well!

This was the view as you walked in the front door.

The room to the right as you walked in. We had a tv, with a slideshow of pictures running during the party.

The room on the left as you walked in... The food was along the back wall,

and you can see all the toys for the kids to play with. The Elmo tent was a HUGE hit!

Every year instead of gifts, we ask that everyone bring toiletries for the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. It is because of that very special place that Andrew is celebrating his 2nd birthday.

The four character cake I made... It took 6 cake mixes and 7 hours to frost, but it was worth it!

Balloons!

I have been spending the last couple weeks getting ready for Andrew's upcoming 2nd birthday party. When he saw the balloons I bought, we had to blow some up to avoid a major meltdown. I have no idea how he was able to hold 5 at once. They have been one of his favorite toys ever since!

Cousin Pictures

My sister-in-law went back to work part-time this spring, so I have been watching my nieces a little more often. Its been so fun to see all the cousins play together, and Andrew absolutely loves having Lily Catherine and Charlotte over to play. Here are some pictures from a couple of the times they were over at our house recently.

Sharing Foofa with Charlotte, which for those who know how much I love Foofa--that is a big deal!

Holding hands... How sweet!

Reading Charlotte a book...

Giving kisses. I love my little cousin so much!

Michigan Ski Trip 2010--Outside Pictures

We spent one afternoon walking around outside of the chalet. Andrew loved it, and it was a much more successful outing than our sledding trip earlier this winter...

Walking down the driveway with Daddy...

Strolling by myself.

I love being outside!

Walking back to the chalet...

Sitting in front of the chalet.

Michigan Ski Trip 2010

We were fortunate enough to get to spend an entire week up at the chalet this year. We had 10 friends join us for the first part of the trip, and we also had some time to ourselves the last few days. Andrew absolutely loved playing with everyone, and he had learned everyone's names within the first day we were there. It was great to get away for so long, and maybe next year will be the year for Andrew to get up on skis for the first time (bunny slope of course!).

Laughing and playing...

He loved playing around the big benches in the dining area.

Doing the Hokey Pokey... "You put your hand in..."

"You put your foot in..."

Kicking around a ball--just like Mommy and Daddy...

Heart Gala 2010

This was our third year attending the American Heart Association's Heart Gala. Obviously, the event holds special meaning for us, and we look forward to it every year. It is fun to get dressed up and have a "grown-up" night out. We had a great time dancing the night away...

Since Heart Gala was the night before the Superbowl, Josh felt he had to show his support for the Colts before we left...

At my parents' house before the limo came to pick us all up.

Taking a break from a long night of dancing...