Phoenix's B-day part 2

I can't resist having a party...and Phoenix turning 2 was no exception. I threw it together in about a week but it turned out pretty well. I used the Thomas colors as inspiration and I put up some of the decorations in Phoenix's room after the party to help make the blank white walls a little less blank. While Phoenix was taking a nap before the party Audrey did some decorating of her own. She set up his train sets, cars, and other toys that he likes and put them on display. It was so cute that of course I left them up for the party!

Oreo truffles

So far I have taken 2 courses from the Wilton Cake decorating classes at Michaels. I am far from being good, but I will say that the classes have helped me to be able to make an adequate cake.

I cheated on this one, I just opened two bags of white chocolate pretzel flips and then drizzled the party colors on top. They were delish and I would totally do it again.

caramel corn

There was only one other boy at the party besides Phoenix (we had 9 girls I think)...but he didn't seem to mind. I found the two boys chillin outside by themselves, it was so cute!

Thanks to my friends Emily and Megan who helped me put together a bunch of last minute details, Emily took a bunch of pictures with my camera and Meg stayed late to help me clean up! I have awesome friends!

Phoenix's Bday part 1

Our little man turned 2 at the beginning of the month! We started off the day with pancakes (one of the very few things that Phoenix will eat), then we had to run over to the office for a quick trip...and 3 hours later we got some Chick-fil-a for lunch (Phoenix LOVES the fries there). Then we hit up Marbles so that our lil fella could play with the trains....for 2 straight hours. He is basically in heaven there.

(some chocolate chips spilled on the ground while I was making the pancakes and Phoenix was eating as much as he could, as fast as he could. Audrey was a willing follower.

Instead of making him a cake we got some Krispy Kreme donut holes, which he loved. Phoenix is really into Thomas the train these days, and he got a ton of Thomas presents for his big day. He kepts saying "Choo-Choo!" when he was opening up his gifts. It was really cute.

July 4th

Yeah...a little late for a July 4th post right? Better late than never!

We received a last minute invite from Janae + Jared to go up to their beautiful home for the weekend. Ever since they moved away we have missed them, but especially on holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, July 4th...), so we jumped at the chance to get to spend the 4th with them and their two little kiddos, Jared's sister Julie was there also (Audrey has adopted Julie as another aunt).

We went to a local parade/celebration and we had a lot of fun (and consumed a lot of grease...err..I mean food).

So they had face painting there, I had never gotten my face painted as a kid (but some how I still turned out semi-normal) so I encouraged Audrey and Brighton to get a painting themselves. Audrey did not go for the idea, but Brighton was very excited about it. At first he wanted a flower and a heart, then he saw a girl with butterfly wings and he wanted that (Jared suggested a skull with crossbones), and he finally settled on a rainbow. Have I ever mentioned how much I love this not-so-little boy?

Janae's house is basically at the perfect location to see a bunch of awesome fireworks, we had our own of course (thanks Jared!). Addison was litrally bouncing up and down with excitement she kept saying "Guys! Guys! Guys! Fireworks!!!" she was the highlight of the night. Here is Audrey sitting with her honorary auntie (for protection...Audrey still doesn't really care for fireworks).

We had amazingly delish food (props to the hostess), great company, and good times. The perfect way to spend a holiday weekend.

Sisters Trip: Durham Science Museum

We have never been to the famous (round these parts) Durham Science Museum and I thought that it would be a fun activity while my sisters were here. We had to rush through a lot of things because we only had 2 hours there, but my sisters got to see the wolves and Audrey got to dig for fossils (which were the most important things).

We did a TON of shopping when my sisters were here (nothing like shopping with your favorite girls!). It had been maybe 3 years since we have all been together at the same time, waay too long if you ask me. We will once again be reunited for my sister Jess's (pictured above) wedding in August.

Sisters Trip: Beach

We had to hit up the beach when all my sistas were here, we LOVE the beach, and with so many extra helpers I actually get some time to play around in the water (sans Phoenix-Willy).


One of the very few benefits of having a tiny grill is that you can bring it places...like the beach. There is nothing like a grilled hot dog on the beach, I guarantee it!

It was windy, the umbrella did not make it through the day (it ended up in the trash).

We didn't get to spend nearly enough time there, but the weather and a certain little fella were not really being cooperative.

Sisters visit: Park

Umm...hello? I was shocked when I looked at the date of my last post...a month ago!! I do have an excuse, my sisters (all 4 of them) came in visit at the end of June and I basically spent a month getting ready for their visit (TONS of projects). Maybe I will post some pictures eventually. Our house still doesn't look amazing, but it looks better than it ever has (I know...not hard to do).


We were busy when my sisters came, we did at least one activity every day, usually more. There are a lot of awesome playgrounds now, like the kind where adults have at least as much as kids (probably more).