Ashton's First Birthday Party

Ashton won't be one for 6 more days but we had his party this past weekend. It was small- just family and a couple close friends- but it was hot so we got out the pools and set up ghetto waterpark in our backyard. The kids had a blast and stayed cool and when the adults couldn't take it anymore, we all came in to play a little longer.

For Ashton's party, I decided to plan it using his favorite snack as a theme- goldfish! It was really cute and easy to work with. I found adorable invites on etsy that were blue and orange and just ran with it.

Here is the super ghetto set up. We had 3 large pools, a baby pool and a splash pad thing. Oh, and did I mention that we only had 7 kids there? Ha!

Here is the goodie table. The adorable banner was made by my friend Beth at Love, September. She also made Emerson's.

The snacks were easy! Did you know they make a ton of different flavor goldfish? I only bought about half of the flavors.

Close up of the cake. Turned out so cute...especially since it was $3.99 from Kroger!

My little tradition for my kids is to have all the guests sign it and then I put a picture from the party on the sheet. I put it in a frame and hang in their room. Although, Emerson is getting quite a collection of these...thinking I need to rotate some out and put the others into a scrapbook.

Family picture before the party.

Despite the 106 degree heat, Ashton was more interested in playing out of the water than in it.

He just wanted to crawl around everywhere with the occasional few steps thrown in.

This is what he ended up looking like most of the time. Such a boy.

We found one way to keep him cool in the water. Feed him snacks.

Emerson had fun playing with her friends.

Cake time.

A little unsure.

Emerson keeping a close eye on things.

Ahhh. Now he has it figured out.

Nice and messy.

Ashton thoroughly enjoyed cake and his party. It was a success!

Ashton in the kitchen

A few random pictures of Ashton the other day that were too cute not to post. Sorry for the terrible lighting...my kitchen is a dungeon.

Ashton really likes to watch the washing machine when it is running. It is so cute because if I start washing clothes while he is playing in the kitchen, he crawls over to it really fast to watch.

Playing with some of his books.



Hi "new face" that I just adore!

Ashton is 11 months old!

I have started getting RSVP's for Ashton's party. Insert sobbing here. How has this happened? I have made a good conscious effort to enjoy the baby parts of Ashton because I knew that it would go by all too fast...But already? Insert more tears here.

Deep breath. Moving on...Ashton is 11 months old and so much fun! He is such a delight. Everyone that meets him just adores him. He is smiley, chatty, playful, silly and LOVES to eat!

He has started holding things up to his ear to "talk" on the phone. It is precious. Here he is using his monkey to "talk on the phone". I told you it was cute!

Ashton loves playing copy-cat games with anyone that is wiling. His favorite thing to do (other than eat) is to play chase. He doesn't mind whether you are chasing him or he is chasing you...He enjoys it just the same either way. It is so cute because the entire time you are being chased he is just cracking up.
Oh, and his laugh! It is the cutest sweetest sound in the entire world! I wish I could bottle it up and keep it forever.
Ashton is still not walking but in the past week or so has done a little bit of independent standing. He is such a stinker...if he is holding on to something in each hand and not paying attention he will stand alone for the longest time. Until he realizes that he is standing, then he quickly sits down.
For record keeping sake, Ashton still gets 4 bottles a day. Three of them are basically at meal times and then one little one at bedtime. We are in the process of getting rid of the bedtime bottle so that we can then move on to cutting out the bottle all together. I want to start that project early after what happened with Emerson!

Ashy is totally off baby food and will eat whatever the rest of us are eating for dinner.

He still only has his two bottom teeth.

He is wearing 9-12mo clothes and size 3 diapers.

I am absolutely head over heels in love with him and can't believe that he is almost one. I don't know if it is just the infamous mother/son bond thing, but if I am having this hard a time with his first birthday coming up...what am I going to do when he goes off to college? Or (gasp) gets married?
Speaking of growing up too fast...Seriously, how grown up does Emerson look in this picture? She is changing so fast too! That deserves a post of its own though:)

Ashton's new face

Ashton is 10 months!

Well, technically I am 8 days late. At least I still took the picture. I will tell you what it has been a miracle that I have gotten all these photos taken. It really isn't as easy as it seems. And I take pictures for a living. Anyways....

Ash is 10 months and I am beside myself. I ordered his birthday invitations today. We are having his party a week early so that means it is NEXT MONTH! My heart is breaking into a million little pieces. My baby. Sigh.



Ashton is just so much fun. And a complete mess all at once. He is all over the place. And I truly mean all. over. the. place. And he isn't walking yet. I have a feeling that will come very soon.

He loves to eat table food. Loves to play with Emerson. Loves to dance. Loves his bath. And LOVES when daddy comes home.

Beach Trip 2011

We went to the beach again this summer. This fun trip with friends and family is officially an annual tradition. And we totally plan to keep it up year to year. Just like last year we traveled with two other families, their kids and each family had a set of grandparents. It makes for a big group and lots and lots of fun! We stayed at a new place this year that was on the beach but also had swimming pools. It was a nice change of scenery for the kids (and adults).

I took way too many pictures to edit or post so I will just post a few (in random order)...

Ashton floating in the ocean (don't worry- Steve was right next to him!).
Looking for sea shells
Ashton's hair reacted to the humidity just like mine does:)
Playing in the pool early in the morning.
Trying to get a beach picture of my kiddos together.
Swimming with grandmom

I know this picture is random, but it is just to show you that all the people and kids in this shot are with our group....And at least 8 people were not in the picture!
Emerson and Jaylee being silly.

Ashton liked the sand

All the big kids worked on a sandcastle
Each night of the trip, a different family cooked dinner for the entire group. This is the kids table one night. (I have no idea why Emerson is raising her hand).
Looking for more sea shells.
Emerson floating with daddy on the lazy river
Emerson and Jaylee up to something

Our family picture (please pardon my crazy beach hair!)This is Ashton's first reaction to the ocean...not happy at all.
This was Ashton just before getting in the ocean for the first time... All smiles.
I love this picture. This was the bridge from our condo to the beach. We walked it several times a day. Check out Emy's derby-worthy hat and frilly bathing suit. She thought she was pretty hot stuff that morning.

That is a very, VERY brief overview of the trip. I am hoping to post more later. Especially since several people are not even pictured...Hayden, Grandad, most of the adults, Parker, etc...

Anyways, you get the point. It was lots of fun and very busy. We are glad to be home and get back into some sort of a routine.