Went to a Garden Party!

Today was Abby's birthday party. We decided to have it the Saturday before her actual birthday so more people could help her celebrate. . . and celebrate we did. The original idea was to have the party outdoors in our church's pavilion that has a playground next to it; however, it was a wet, dreary day. So, plan B was put into play. We moved the festivities to the fellowship hall. It worked out wonderfully! There was a nursery full of fun toys, a kitchen for quick clean ups and food prep, and bathrooms nearby. We had plenty of rooms for the kids to play and the adults to do whatever it is we adults do at birthday parties. I'm pretty tired , so forgive me if I make some mistakes. I'll try to catch them after I get some rest. Until then, I thought I would give you a glimpse into our celebration!

We spent Friday preparing so we could have more energy for Abby on Saturday. Aunt Tiffany and Baby Ben arrived around lunch to drop off baking and icing supplies. Then, we loaded the babies to meet Trevor, a old family friend and youth pastor at our church, to decorate. I truly don't know how I could have done it without them. (HUGE thanks, you guys!) Then, it was back home to decorate cakes.

Here is the welcome table, for lack of a better name.
We put the guests' loot bags and birthday bubbles on it.
Everyone signed the mat for Abby's birthday picture
to hang in her room.

Here's one set of tables for the party guests.


Here is the cake and cupcakes.
Although they look like aliens,
the cupcakes are suppose to be ladybugs.


As is tradition in our families, Abby got her own
cake to destroy.


Here is a good before shot.

Here's the after shot.

We were especially blessed to have many friends and family at the party. Our Aunt Paula and Uncle Kenneth came up from Georgia to surprise us! It was great to see them. Our friends Susie and Steve Loope were thankfully able to come. Uncle Tom, Ethan, Aleigh, and Mathew were also there to help us celebrate. The whole Roberts clan came and helped us eat cake and play. Thank you to everyone who made time to help us celebrate. We hope you had fun!

Emma, Abby, and Lili had loads of fun in one of the
beds in the nursery! It was hard to convince them to get out!


Uncle Tom and Ethan give Abby pointers on cake eating!


Poor Atticus (Steve Loope's nickname)! He had to leave before
Abby got hyped up on sugar icing. Here she has no clue what's going
on and is beyond sleepy! We have promised to visit him when
she is happier. We love you, Atticus and Susie!


Talmadge was tired, but was a trooper!
He loved playing with baloons, and
we loved watching him!


Uncle Mike and Ben even found some time to
enjoy some butterfly cake. Ben was so
excited to try the cake. He's such a cutie!


Grammy and Gramps were convinced to play in
the nursery by the birthday girl.
It didn't take too much arm twisting!

Abby had plenty of fun herself. . .

I know this is blurry, but I love the look
on her face. She had lots of fun.

She was more of a "one piece at a time" kind of girl, rather
than a "dig in" kind. She liked sticking her fingers in the
cake and squishing it!

We're still not sure whether she likes the

cake or balloons more.

Okay, so she may have liked the balloons more.
Here she is chilling out at home and looking
through some cards after a nap.
(The blanket you made her rocks, MacKenzie! Thanks!)

We had a wonderful day! Now, it is just getting things organized from making cakes and all the cool new toys we have. Abby is fighting sleep right now as I type. I think she is still pretty excited. I'm going to try to calm her down. Wish me luck.