Happy Birthday Owen

Last Saturday we had a party to celebrate Owen's 1st birthday with a few friends and some family.

Aiden was very insistent that we have activities and toys for the kids to play with (I agreed) and he brought out every book they own and a lot of his toys to share with our young guests. It was so cute to see how into it he was. I think the kids appreciated his efforts. :)

Throwing parties is not exactly my forte but I really tried to have a theme this time. Although my "theme" was kind of fuzzy (started as a cookies and milk theme and kinda morphed into/added an ABC theme), I did have a color palette I stuck with; blue white and red. (I love the color combo and tried hard to make it more vintage than patriotic) Here's some pictures of our dessert table. (That's right- no health food here folks! Cookies, milk and mini cupcakes from Cupcake Chic.)

I love the labels I made for the jars.

These are the beautiful flowers Kart bought me for my birthday.

What a good husband! He pays attention to the kind I like,

and to the fact that I like to get flowers.

Even though in my mind it was all about Owen that day, Kart was so great about making sure I didn't feel like he forgot it was my birthday too. He really made me feel special.

Gosh- they don't get much cuter than this birthday boy!

Trying out a cookie.

Looks like someone else was having some cookies.

Aiden and Emma were both so excited about this party!

It was great to have some friends there to share in the celebration.

We don't have a big place, plus it's just his first birthday,

so we tried to keep the guest list small.

The birthday girl and boy!

(and the traditional number birthday shirt)

It was great to have some of our family there too.

Kart bought us a big chocolate cake from Costco and wrote, in peanut butter m&ms

"Laura and Owen".

I blew out the candles on the big cake and I gave Owen a chocolate chip cupcake with this cute one candle.

He couldn't wait to get his hands on it!

I remembered to make a wish this year.

And Owen dug right in to his cupcake!

He LOVED it!

downing some milk!

What a mess!

It was such a fun day. A celebration of this sweet boy's first year with us, and for me it was also a celebration of making it through this last year of having a baby and balancing 3 kids (not an easy transition, but we did it!).

I love watching Owen learn and grow. He is happy to cuddle up to me, and loves to play. He thinks it's so funny when we chase him down the hall or when we make funny faces. He even growls sometimes! He loves cell phones and will put it up to his ear and babble like he's having a conversation! He's not a picky eater. He eats and eats and eats! But you wouldn't know it from the growth charts. He's only 19lbs at a year. (not horrible, but definitely on the small side) He's really just a joy to have around. We love our little Owie!