Still Up Close & Personal: Alaina Turns Two: The Party!

In true overwhelmed-frazzled mommy fashion, when Alaina's birthday was approaching I suggested no party this year and just cake with us four. Josh's jaw hit the floor! We talked about it more and having everyone over to celebrate our baby girl and all the memories and fun and I immediately knew he was right. What was I even thinking, anyway?!

Aunt Tammy, Uncle Michael and Great-Grandma having some snacks.

Baby Shawn (five months older than Alaina) saddled up on Josh's old school trike for this shot. This is the cutest, craziest, sweetest kid!

It was warm and beautiful and we got to hang around the yard and visit. Uncle Peter, Aunt Shannon, Cousin Lindsey, and Gigi are some of the more photogenic people I know. Love this family!

We had fun running around the yard and munching and snacking the afternoon away. Everyone was on best behavior! ;)

Of course the Birthday Girl would be looking away from the camera in the classic cake shot! Even though I let Kroger bake the cake and provide lunch for us (store bought birthday cake?! Ack! I know I know...next year I'll do better! Ha!) I still had to decorate a bit and got to re-use the pink table runner I made for a baby shower one year. I picked up cute bright owl plates and balloons since Alaina has really taken a liking to owls lately. She is starting to get into princesses too....so cute! She almost always lets me add a bow to her hair and she loves picking out her own outfits to wear. I'm seeing some real changes from baby to little girl these days.

Shy-pie as everyone stares and serenades her!

This is always one of the best memories...we light and relight the candles over and over so everyone can blow! *insert CLAP and CHEER and light again!* Alaina wasn't feeling it at first but after the other kids showed her how fun it was she eventually got into it!