Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Grace's Second Birthday, The Party


We had a small family affair for Grace's birthday back on April 4th.  When I say small, I mean 35 or so family members from the Wilson and the Deterding sides, and a dog.  We love getting both sides of the family together-- there's a lot a laughter, a lot of kids (young and old) running around, and a lot to be thankful for!

One thing I was thankful for were these cute and delicious M&M speckled peanutbutter chocolate eggs.  Steve and I ate half of them before the first guest even cast a shadow on our doorway:

The birthday girl in her new frog rain boots, eating the rusted railing on our porch: 

She loved hearing the birthday song!  She got to hear it twice, because on the first go-around I forgot to hand someone a camera:



My Dad and Leah:

The dog was Bella, my cousins' new puppy:

Grace got an inflatable Elmo kite for her birthday, and Steve has rediscovered the art of flying a kite.  Have you flown a kite recently?  It's impossible not to get a smile on your face and feel a rush of adrenaline when you finally get it up in the air with all the string let out:


I haven't even looked at the pictures my sister took on my other camera.  I need to do that soon and post them!!  She took pictures of people and presents and food.  The only other things I had on my camera are some details from the party~  Martha Stewart helped me create these flowers to hang from the ceiling:

Cake Pops.  Where have you been all my life??  Mom Deterding and April helped me make about 40 of these little birds and ladybugs the night before the party, and they were delicious.  Go make some!



Friday, April 24, 2009

First Word

Besides mama and dada and a few gurgling sounds, we've been waiting to hear Leah's first word...and today I declare that it is DUCK!

Well, it sounds more like "a-DUH-t", but that only makes it more cute!

Does anyone remember Grace's first word?  Don't cheat...and we'll see who gets the right answer first!  

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

No Title Necessary

Grace got a rather large box in the mail yesterday.  It was stuffed with some of the most amazing things she has ever seen.  This picture was taken just after she finished going through the box and picking out a few special things that caught her eye, and just after she put them all on, ALL BY HERSELF.  A fuzzy pink electronics case (see the cord of her pretend cell phone peeking out of said case in the picture above); a mini striped messenger bag (which she stuffed full of sticker sheets also found in the box); a mesh backpack that can double as a baby doll carrier pack; two pairs of blinged-out sunglasses; and her favorite: a tiny beaded butterfly purse that has quickly become her go-to accessory for the season.

She's been wearing the butterfly purse for 24 straight hours, and there's a mysterious $10 bill in it.  I really don't know where that came from , but Grace now has more cash than both of her parents combined.  I asked her where it came from, and she simply said "MY money, mommy."

Ok, I won't ask for a loan.

Aunt Tina and Shannah, the birthday box was great!  She ooohed and gasped with each new toy she pulled out, and, as you can tell, she loves to accessorize with purses and bags.  Thanks!!!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Eight Months


Leah's first tooth has made an appearance in honor of her eight month birthday.

She seems to show a little  more interest in...perhaps...maybe...trying to move in a way suggestive of a...crawl?  Still, it's much more fun for Leah to simply sit and chew on something:

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Pass This Along...

Need a cute gift idea?? Click HERE!