We party again!

Yes, only two weeks after our milk and cookies party for one Katie,

we are going to the spa to celebrate Reese's 9th birthday.

Once again, I went to different party blogs and pinterest for inspiring ideas. Reese and I both logged in alot of time trying to figure out what would work well for this spa at home. The invitation below is my creation of one she saw and loved. Thank goodness for photoshop!

 Our upstairs was transformed into "Reese's Spa". Reese has a large room with lots of floor space, so it was perfect. Us girls could spa party upstairs, while daddy and brother could chill out downs stairs.

Let me just say how FABULOUS my oldest daughter was for diving in and helping me with everything.

 The waiting area with Reese's two new hot pink bean bags....perfect!

 

 Even Katie joined in for the big girl fun.

 No, your not leaning, its the cake, well the cake icing that is.  This cake attempt didn't go as well as the last one I did.  My lines aren't straight and it got kinda goopy at the bottom, however, we had no problems eating it and that is the most fun!

The giggles went on into the night. Now this mommy, and big sister too, need a day at a spa to relax after this spa party. When is the next birthday? Too soon I say.  Happy Birthday Reese!

She is sweeter than a cookie

It's another celebration day in the household....Katie is 2.

Just as last year, I'm a little obsessed with party blogs and all the Amazing parties people put together. I love trying to recreate my own parties for the kids and this year for Katie, it was a Cookies & Milk party.

The moment I saw a similar party on another blog I knew how perfect it would be for my sweet girl. Katie LOVES cookies and LOVES, LOVES, LOVES milk (donk, as she calls it. yes she can say milk, but she calls it donk anyways) Her favorite milk is chocolate, of course, and every morning she asks for "chocot donk".

I wanted to keep it simple. Just a few types of cookies, a small cake & some other quick simple foods like sandwiches & fruit. To drink out of I really wanted the Oh So Darling milk jars I have seen so much, but to keep this budget friendly, I decided on small mason jars with brown yarn tied around the top.

I must admit, I'm so proud of myself for the cake. Especially since I have never really tried to decorate one. I made chocolate buttercream icing from scratch and made the cake topper & cupcake toppers in photoshop. I have no idea how the professional cake makers do it. As proud as I am for mine, it certainly has its flaws.

created the printables, cookie labels, cake & cupcake toppers in photoshop. Super Easy, and best part...FREE!!

She started the party off with a new gift of lip gloss & stylish bracelets.

  Happy Birthday Katie Bug!!

  My Oh My have these 16 years have gone by fast. Sixteen years ago our sweet Chase was born.

  Perfect pregnancy, perfect delivery, then all a sudden our world came spinning around us. The day after he was born Joseph and I were informed in the most unsympathetic way that our sweet and precious brand new baby boy not only had Downs Syndrome, but a heart defect as well. It's amazing how fast complete joy can change to complete fear.

  We have been through it all it seems. Open heart surgery at age 4 months, weekly OT, PT and speech therapy, lots of tears, but alot more laughs and smiles. God gave us what we could handle.

  Chase is really just a normal 16 year old boy. He loves to rock out to country music, wear the fashionable teen clothing, look at cool cars, and talk about "hot girls" with his friends.  I can remember there was a time when I'd lay in bed at night scared of what the future held for him when he got to this age. How would other kids treat him, would he ever be able to stay at home alone, etc.... It's funny how it all just happens and you completely forget about that fear at that moment.

  It seems like a lifetime ago when he entered our lives, but it has been a lifetime of joy and love.  

  

It's a Grand Life! 

Hope this makes a Grandmama happy!

They weren't happy about a photo session, but they sure can fake it well.

The little one front and center lives in her own little sweet world and doesn't take to direction too well,

but with yummy goodies to offer, she did pretty well...sort of.

 

 Tried so hard to get this little monkey to stand as still as possible, but the moment I put the camera up...she moved. Once she discovered the leaves at her feet, it was over. I still love this photo because it shows her true personality...doing her own thing!

Sweet Thirteen....

my little girl is no longer so little! She is now a teenager.

For a couple of months we have been planning to get her yearly pictures,

but this time, they had to be photos of a teen! 

Jackson Brothers Farms

I have known this beautiful family for a while now. Infact, some feel like family. So when they asked me to photograph them infront of their cornfields on their farm, I couldn't resist. 

                        as usual, I can always count on the kids to give us all good laughs!!!

                                          The pretty ladies of Jackson Brothers Farms