Happy Birthday Ava!

This past Sunday was Ava's first birthday, and what at day it was. I sent Ava to church with Nathan and I stayed behind to get things ready. (Next time we'll know better than to have her party directly after church!) The day was quite cool, it never got about 67 degrees, but that was excellent weather for running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

We rented the clubhouse in our development which turned out to be a great place, and it had enough room for the friends we invited. (For family that may read this... we only invited friends because we have such a large family, so we'll be sure to see the rest of you soon, if we haven't seen you already!) The party didn't go as smoothly as planned, but it turned out wonderfully, and everyone had a great time.

Ava in her birthday tutu

(I made her tutu, onesie, and headband)

the back view

Hali enjoying the decorations

There were several things that actually didn't go as planned, one of which was the cake. I had grand ideas of making the cake and making it a giant cupcake. I'd read up on how to do so, without buying the $30 pan, and convinced myself since I love to bake that I could do it. The night before the party, after we arrived home from another birthday party, I set out to put the cake together and ice it. But it didn't work and everything began to fall apart. I was so mad and frustrated, but in the end it worked out just fine, and everyone enjoyed having different options of cake (yellow cake w/ cool whip icing, and a double layer chocolate cake w/ cream cheese icing.)

(not quite sure why this picture turned on me...)

the cupcakes were for the kids

As for Ava's cake, I made her a cupcake w/ cool whip icing, knowing that she isn't a huge fan of sweets... crazy I know! She apparently didn't get my sweet tooth. We were all hoping she'd jump right in and smash her cupcake, but she didn't, so I had to break it up so she would eat it. Shortly there after, she was done and was ready to get back to playing.

helping her out

yummy cool whip

she preferred the cupcake liner

opening presents

she was a bit bored at this point... that is until we opened:

Ava had to have it out, so Val opened it for her as we finished opening the rest of her presents

The ladies, our new tradition... this time with Hali, next time with Baby Girl Walker!

Happy 1st Birthday Ava