Paxton turns TWO!

Yesterday my boy turned TWO years old!  We had such an incredibly busy day filled with tons of fun and friends.

I planned a pool party and had the back yard decked out with lights and lanterns, we rented and set up a bunch of tables and chairs, we had lots of outdoor games, the sprinkler, baby pool, sand and water table and buckets of squirt guns, bubbles, chalk and sparklers.  And of course it rained.  Thanks Florida. But, even though the weather didn't cooperate we still had a wonderful day celebrating our sweet boy!

First thing in the morning Paxton got to open up presents sent from friends and family.  He sure was spoiled! He got a ton of super fun new things!

I once again did not take pictures during the party, but here are some I took right before people started to arrive.  I forgot to take pictures of our pretty outdoor setup though.

On the entry way table I had a sign that said "Welcome to our pool party.  Please pick out a lei and jump in!" I had a picture of Pax from every month this past year.  And the party favors were a beach set, bubbles and a beach ball.

I have a major sweet tooth.  And I miiiiiight have gone completely overboard with the birthday cakes. I got not one, but TWO birthday cakes.  I made cupcakes, brownies and cake batter truffles as well.  

The bar.  We had prosecco, assorted beers, Jones sodas, Izzy's, and those blue pitchers are a cocktail I found on Pinterest made with vodka, blue curacao and lemonade.  Yummy! 

Food table!

Pax and his sweet friend Zach.

Happy birthday dear Paxton.  Happy birthday to you!!!

The party started at 4 and eventually the rain stopped around 7ish and we were able to go out back.  A friend brought their corn hole game and a few people even got in the pool.  After Paxton went to bed we all stayed up late sitting out back enjoying the nice night.  It was such a fun day!  

Two!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the little photo shoot I did for Paxton's 2nd birthday.  I got a bunch of balloons, which of course, my toddler decided were terrifying and we spent a good 10 minutes trying to get him near the balloons.  Not even a cupcake could tempt him near!  So, the balloons had to go far away and then he happily went about devouring his cupcake.  

 Paxton skeptically eyeing the evil balloons.

 I really can't believe Pax is a whole two years old.  He is such an amazing little person.  I loved his tiny squishy baby phase, but I love this rambunctious, sponge brain phase just as much.  He is funny and clever. Sweet and silly.  Smart and full of excited sequels and big belly laughs.  He fills my days with joy, happiness and so much love.  So glad you are in the world, Paxton!

Paxton's first year movie

My husband is such a wonderful, caring, loving father to our sweet son.  A few months ago he came to me with the idea to make a cover of Darius Rucker's song Wagon Wheel with the help of another extremely talented couple, Matt and Chelsea Brunoehler. Brad took care of the guitar, bass and drum parts, Chelsea came in to help with the vocals and Matt also did vocals in addition to the banjo and mandolin parts.  I love how it turned out!

Brad has been asking me for months now to make this picture slideshow video and I finally got around to going through my massive amounts, I'm talking thousands and thousands, of pictures to pick just a few that would go into the short 5 minute video.  It was my first time attempting to use iMovie and while the program was great I had no idea what I was doing and probably could have spent a year learning the details and massive capabilities of that program.   While it's not perfect it does the job of taking us through Paxton's first year of life and I can't help but get emotional to see how much he's changed and grown in just one short year. 

And now here we are.  Already one month into his second year!!  This sweet boy has brought an enumerable amount of love, joy, happiness into my life and has enriched my world beyond imagining.

I hope you enjoy!!

Paxton's One Year Photos and Cake Smash

 I''ll be honest.  I was on the fence about going for the professional photo shoot or just doing it myself, but I have to say that I am 100% so happy and glad I went for the professional ones.  All of these photos are by Nicki Smith Photography and I love them all!  Nicki did our maternity and newborn photos and it was great working with her again.  Paxton was not in the most cooperative mood, but Nicki worked hard to get him at his best moments and the photos turned out way better than I even thought they would! 

Paxton's little diaper cover and tie are by Mud Pie and I got them and his blue birthday boy hat at a local boutique called Tee Tie Babies.  His cake was custom made by Oh Snap Cupcakes. 

I hope you enjoy the photos!