Kylie's 1st Birthday Party

We decided to have Kylie's party the day before on Sunday.  Scott had to work the Saturday before and I didn't want to interrupt people's schedules by doing the party on her actual birthday, which was a Monday.  Doing it on Sunday worked perfectly and we had it later in the evening, around 7pm.  For once, I was glad that we have early church as I had plenty of time to prepare for the party.  I made the invitation on my computer and printed it at Wal-Mart.  It turned out super cute.

The theme for the party was elephants with gray, pink and white colors.  Of course, I took to pinterest to look for ideas on decorations and cakes.  I was totally planning on making Kylie's smash cake, but then I saw this picture:

Cutest cakes ever, right?!  I showed Scott and he suggested I should ask the yard sale sites on facebook to see who could make them and for what price.  I got a lot of responses, but I decided to only respond to those who actually messaged me.  One person who messaged me got recommended by quite a few people, one of whom is in my ward, so I felt comfortable going with her.  She priced the cake for $85 at first and no way was I paying that much.  So, I decided to just do the top layer (and no banner, just polka dots) and that was $30 with the smash cake thrown in for free.  Perfect!  I'll pay $30 for a beautiful elephant cake.  Both cakes turned out amazing and everyone loved them.

This elephant is pretty dang perfect.

Besides cake, I asked my friend Nichole to make some cookies as well.  She's just starting out on making these types of cookies, so she had never done elephants before.  I think she did a fabulous job!!

I decided last minute to make cupcakes as well.

For decorations, I made another bunting banner, a ONE banner for her high chair and a month by month picture banner.  I am liking making bunting banners now as they are pretty easy and such a fun decoration.  I just wish fabric wasn't so expensive nowadays.  

I am proud of how the ONE banner turned out.  It was a pain to cut out the letters though, but I'm glad I found some fabric glue so I didn't have to sew those on.  I got inspiration for the look of the month by month banner from pinterest.  I really loved how that one turned out too.  Everyone had fun looking at how Kylie has grown.  My mom told me that I needed to keep it, but I think I'll add a 12-month picture to it before I store it somewhere.

I put Kylie down for a quick nap before guests arrived so she would be able to be awake for the festivities.  It worked, but when Kylie wakes up she is very cuddly so she got a little overwhelmed with everyone.  So much attention was on her and she didn't know what to do.  She was fine after a little bit and then had fun running from person to person.  It was so great to have everyone come!  I felt so much love seeing everyone in our home.  I can't express enough how grateful I am to everyone that came for Kylie.  Kylie is sure one special girl.

The birthday girl!

Mom and dad with the 1-year old!

Cuties

Nichole, Joni, Tracy & James

Bryan, Max & Natalie

Aaron

Caroline & Jodelle

Kyle & Brianna

Rachelle is here from Italy!

Cousins!

Cousins!

Fish face

Always a happy girl.

One of the funnest parts of a 1st birthday party is seeing how the baby does with the cake!  It was cute to see how reserved Kylie was with the cake at first.  Once she got going, she loved it! 

After most of the guests left, I put Kylie in her pajamas and then had her open presents.  She received so many fun toys, books and cute outfits.  She sure loves having some new toys to play with.

It was a special birthday for a special girl!

One Year!

Ahh!! Kylie is one year now! I can't believe how fast time has flown. I guess she is technically a toddler now, but I won't use that phrase until she is 2 or 3.  She is still my baby and will always be my baby girl.  We had such a fun birthday party for her.

I'm trying to think if she's done anything major since her 11-month post and I can't think of much.  She got a lot of fun toys for her birthday and she is having fun playing with them.  Her favorite toy is books!  She loves to just sit and flip through the pages of all the books in her room.  Her books are all in this corner and every time she is in her room she goes to that corner, plops down and just starts reading.  It is the cutest thing to see.

We did a lot of celebrating the day before, but we still did some fun things on her actual birthday.  We all slept in and had pancakes for breakfast.  Later in the afternoon, we headed to a splash park that's pretty close to our house.  It's a nice one so it's too bad we found it when summer will be over soon.  After the park, we came home had pizza for dinner and then Kylie played with her toys!

Everyday Scott and I are in awe that Kylie is ours.  This girl came into the world a year ago and turned our life around.  We are so grateful for the experiences we've had so far and look forward to many, many more.  Thanks for being ours Kylie Elizabeth Fletcher! We love you so much!

Checking out her present from grandpa Jack & grandma Roberta

Finishing her cake off the next day!

I got her outfit off some website on Etsy and it came with the headband too.  I love it!  Although it was fun to take pictures every month and to see the progression, it will be nice to only have to do it once a year.  I thought about getting professional 1-year pictures, but then figured I'd just wait until the fall to take family pictures.  The last of the monthly pictures did turn out great!

4 Wonderful Years

This year, we are delaying celebrating our anniversary as Scott is at scout camp!  It's fine that we will celebrate on a different day, but I'm just sad that I won't even be able to talk to him at all.  This last year of marriage was full of ups and downs as well as being the most exciting.  Instead of just focusing on this year, I want to take a look back from where it all began.

Boy Meets Girl

The first time Scott & I actually met was at a bonfire, however we didn't really converse with one another at all so that's why we say it was the ugly sweater party because we actually talked.  I was definitely a little awkward in talking to him as I dropped a cookie into his hot chocolate.  I guess that helped make an impressionable memory.

Our first picture together.

First Dates

Our first date was eating pizza and watching Star Trek at Scott's place. He had plans for us to get ice cream, but it was the middle of winter so we weren't feeling it.  Our second date was going to see the temple lights.  Our third date was having breakfast before Scott left for California. We texted and face-booked the whole time he was gone.  A good sign we both liked each other. :)

Courtship

We had so many fun dates while we were dating.  Of course our favorites were sitting on the couch, cuddling and watching a movie.  It sure was different as Scott was working and going to school full-time, so the only time we really saw each other were on the weekends.

Snowboarding!

Hockey Game

We the Kings Concert

Ice Skating (Scott's first time)

Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing

Movie

LaCaille

Soccer Game

Skydiving! This date was my idea.

Engagement

I wish I still had pictures and the video from our engagement, but they were on Scott's computer that died so all pictures were lost.  It makes me sad that there's no tangible proof of what happened.  Although, maybe it's a good thing as it was a little embarrassing. :)  It was a day long event and I loved every minute of it.  Here's some engagement pictures instead.

The Wedding

Our wedding was beautiful!  We had a wonderful wedding dinner the night before where all of our close friends and family were in attendance.  A huge thunderstorm happened that day and I prayed so hard that it would not rain on my wedding day.  My prayers were answered and the weather was gorgeous!  I also heard that after Scott & I left the reception while family was cleaning up, it started to sprinkle.  Heavenly Father sure knew how much I wanted this day to be perfect and it was.

Eternity

I love the fact that I do get to spend forever with Scott.  He is my best friend and my first love.  He is gone at scout camp for a few days and though I'm doing okay being without him, I could not imagine him never being in my life.  My life is made up of the decisions that I've made and starting a life and family with him has been the best decision in my life.  It has led to many good times, but also to some hardships where we grew together.  Whatever happens in my life, I am glad that I get to share it with Scott.  I love you, Robert Scott Fletcher.  Happy Anniversary!