Ian Bray Has a Birthday

As many of you know, this past Saturday we celebrated Ian's first birthday with so many wonderful friends and family.  We all got to come around our little boy and celebrate his first year of life. Looking back now there are some things I wish I had done differently, but the grand scheme of things everything turned out pretty well.

I was praying to God that the rain would hold out and thank God it did!  It wasn't too hot.  A slight overcast, but just right.  However, I also learned that I will never have a party at 11am in the morning.  Holy mole, was I on crack?!  I didn't get any of the decorations I bought put up in time, and I was in such a crazed state by the time guests showed up at my door. Let's just say I was too chipper but that soon faded away.  I've never been so unprepared for a party and it sure looked that way.  Oh well, you live and you learn. This is all the decorations I was able to get up...

We had the party in our home so at least I didn't have to pack anything up and get it somewhere.  The hubby grilled some fantastic hamburgers and hotdogs and we also had some awesome dessert.  I wanted to go light on the desserts so I just borrowed my friend Cara's chocolate fountain and cut up some fruit.  I thought it would be something nice, fun and new.

We also had the cake and cupcakes I made.  I wanted the illusion of a big cake but not bake a big cake.  I must say the cupcakes I made were way too dry (not sure what happened with that), but the cake?  Awesome!  Was perfect!  Too bad most people just had the cupcakes.

After people got some food in their bellies and the kids had run off a little energy, we finally gathered around and sang happy birthday to the birthday boy.  I made him a monkey smash cake so that it was more messy when he dove into it (more fun for pictures). However, he didn't really dive into it very quickly.  It took him a while to get use to it, but then he started to get the hang of it.  Unfortunately by that time he was also completely exhausted so every time he would yawn he would also rub his eyes and get chocolate everywhere. 

When that was done we went out back and took a few family photo's that my sister-in-law took of us to remember the day.   In fact she took almost all the pictures you see and she did a pretty darn good job!  Thank you so much Katie for doing that; I will treasure these pictures forever!

There was no keeping Ian up after that.  That boy was tired out and desperately needed a nap so we just waited to open gifts when he woke up.  By then everyone was gone except a few family members.  I was shocked at all the things he got.  This boy will have summer clothes forever! What a blessing! 

All in all, it was a spectacular day filled with family, friends, food and fun.  I had to step back and really see how blessed we are to be surrounded by so many amazing people in our lives.  It may not be a birthday Ian remembers, but his mommy always will!