Recap on Valentine's Day

We had a nice Valentine's Day weekend celebration that began on Saturday, February 12th.  The main reason for the long celebration was because Jim had to go out of town for work on Monday, the 14th.  So we thought we would make the best of it and celebrate all weekend long.  Here is our fam dressed in Valentine's colors.  Don't you just love Evie's expression.  Priceless!

Here are the boys opening up their fun Valentine's Day goodies

 

Here is Evie with her's too.  

Evan got Valentine's from Mommy and Daddy, Evie and even Sir Topham Hat and Lady Hat.  They told him, "He was a very useful boy!" :)  He also got some "Cars" chocolate candy and the movie, "Mater's Tall Tales."  He was very excited!

Evie and Daddy also got special Valentine's Day candy and cards from everyone in the family.  Evie received M&M's and lets just say she thought these were amazing and tried to put all of them in her mouth in record time. :)  Luckily it was just a little snack pack.  Our girl really enjoys sweets.

Mommy got cards from the kids and Daddy, and a dozen beautiful pink roses from my honey on Valentine's Day.  He woke up super early and ran to the store to get them and he also got us some special love donuts.  Yummy!  The cool thing is the roses are still looking amazing today as I write this post and he got them from Safeway.  This is a huge endorsement for their flowers. 

Lastly, we had a delicious family dinner at Chevy's and were all able to enjoy some yummy Valentine's Day treats from our friends the Moons.  They brought us over delicious and beautiful chocolate dipped strawberry's and Evan and Evie got pink cupcakes.  Evan was thrilled!  You can see him about to eat his in the picture below.

Twin Day!

So we recently were hanging out with our buds the Wisners on February 8, and Evan and Tyler both happened to show up dressing the same.  The picture above was one of the best pictures we could get of them together both actually kind of looking at the camera and happy.  Silly boys!

Here are two other cute shots of our adventure that day with the twins.

They also got to ride the carousal together, including Evie.

Lastly, we all hung out in Pottery Barn Kids for awhile.

 

Fun times were had by all this unofficial "Twin Day"!

Sacramento Free Museum Day

On Saturday, February 5, Sacramento had a special Free Museum Day.  It is fantastic; 26 museums were open and participating in the festivities.  Our family made it to three of them. :)

First we visited Sutter's Fort.

The best part is that Jim still remembered staying over night at the Fort when he was in fourth grade.  He even remembered the character he had to play during his stay, Samuel Brannan, an entrepreneur of his day.  So funny!  We chatted with some of the docents in costumes about Sam during our visit.  I can't wait for Evan and Evie to get to make fun memories just like their Daddy.  Here is Jim reminiscing with the kids.

This is Evan looking through the Fort's gates.  Jim and him had just got done looking at the cannons and Jim told him that they used the cannons to get the bad people outside of the Fort.  So Evan was looking out the gate searching for "bad people." :)  We had to explain that no one was trying to get into the Fort today and that this was a very long time ago.

After, Sutter's Fort we visited The Native American History Museum.  We couldn't take any pictures in this museum.

Lastly, we went down to Old Sacramento and walked around.  The boys of course had to get on the train caboose.  Or should I say, Evan had too. :)

 

In Old Sac we visited The Sacramento History Museum.  This place was super crowded, but Jim and I had never visited and thought the price was right.  The museum had a good flow of traffic moving throughout the exhibits so you could see everything, which was nice.  We didn't really get any good pictures inside because of the crowd, but I did get some of Evie hanging out and looking cute. :)

 

All in all, it was a fantastic day of family fun and very budget friendly!  Yippee for Free Museum Day!

Creekside Women's Retreat

During the weekend of January 28-30, I had the opportunity to go to our church's Women's Retreat with my best girlfriend, Natalie.  It was amazing, not only to have a little time away from my beloved children, but to be with awesome women focusing on God.  The retreat was in Napa, California.  We stayed at the Embassy Suites.  The accommodations were fabulous and of course my roommate was tops! :)  Here is a picture of the hotel pond area.  It had real swans.  A pair of white and black swans. 

The black swans were pretty feisty and would try to bite you if you got to close, especially, this guy pictured below.

 

Here we all are at dinner Friday night when we arrived, Natalie, me, Kristina and Lois (my car buddies) at Sushi Mambo, yummy!  This picture was taken after our meal...that is why our table looks a little messy in case you were wondering. :)

Then on Saturday during our free time we had lunch in St. Helena at a Fancy Italian restaurant.  Pictured left to right, Lois, me, Karen and Natalie.

Also, dinning with us were Olivia, Sarah and Bethany.  They were able to sit us in a super large booth.  It was a very nice restaurant- such a treat!

Also, on Saturday we walked around downtown Napa during our free time.  Here are Natalie and I at a little dessert shop called Sweeties.  We had to walk in the rain a bit on Saturday, but none of us minded. 

 

Can't wait until next year's retreat.  This year was unbelievable.  Praise God and my fantastic husband for allowing me to go and enjoy!  

P.S. Jim said the kids did awesome while I was away!  Plus, they got some really special Daddy time. 

Handsome Big Boy

Evan is becoming such a big boy.  Sure to do love this guy!

Evie's Official Birth"day" Festivities

 

As seen in the above pictures one of the very cool things Evie got to get on her actual birthday, Sunday, January 9th, was her big girl car seat.  She also got to get her very own big girl shoes.  Doesn't she look so excited!  

Here she is next to brother...our two toddlers side by side.

In the morning of her birthday we all headed to church.  Here we are below.

Here she is pictured with Grandma Knight and Aunt Alison who were in town visiting for Evie's big party.

Later that day Jim and I took Evie to Fairytale Town as a special treat!  Here we are in King Arthur's Castle sitting in his throne. :)

Here we are on the tractor

And by the cow

The kids with Cinderella's Pumpkin

Now the kids with Daddy inside the pumpkin :)

Of course we had to spend a good amount of time and get lots of pictures on the train! :)

Here is Evie checking out the Cheese Stands Alone tunnel at Fairytale Town.  She was doing great until, right after this picture she bonked her head because she didn't duck down.  Poor babe!

Jim and Evie going down one of the many slides at the park.

Here is Daddy also going down the slide with Evan.  This was one very fast!  Evan couldn't get enough.

We had such a special day with our two little ones.  Here are just two cute pictures of Evie in her birthday gear.  It was freezing outside so we got to put Evie's little hat and gloves on her.  She didn't argue to take them off too much this time because she agreed it was cold. :)

After Fairytale Town we went out for a birthday dinner to B.J.'s.  This picture makes me laugh, both kids are starring at the birthday treat in the center of the table.

Evie got a special birthday Pazookie....she was loving it along with the rest of us! :)

 

Also, on Saturday night after her big 1st birthday party, we had a big family dinner with Jim's Mom and Alison at El Torrito.

 Here is the star of the show eating a chip....she enjoys chips! :)

 

And finally, another big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our little love-bug!  You are 1 Evie....congratulations!  Here she is pictured below in the evening on Sunday ready to take out this hair-bow and relax! :)  What a weekend of fun!

Evie's First Birthday Party

 

Evie's first birthday party was on Saturday, January 8th at 10:00 a.m.  It was a nice day, chilly, but no rain, which we are all very thankful for that weekend.  Pictured above it our beautiful birthday girl in her adorable outfit fit for a princess. She was all ready from some fantastic first birthday fun at her butterfly themed party.

Here are some pictures of what the decorations looked like and food.  We had butterflies incorporated wherever we could.

Some more party decor with the Birthday Girl pictured too!  

Before all the guest arrived at Evie's party, Grandma and Grandpa Thompson wanted Evan to feel special too and surprised him with a train that he had been wanting - Hiro.  He was SUPER excited!  Thank you Mom and Dad! :)

The event began with everyone being welcomed to this sign on the front door. 

Then the kids were invited to either color some butterfly coloring pages or a cool foam butterfly. :)  

Here they are in action.  Evie got in on the fun too!

The adults were asked to fill out a memory card for Evie's birthday time capsule.  Here is Grandma Thompson writing her special note for Evie.

After everyone arrived we headed out back to play some cool butterfly games.  The first being "Can you find the butterflies?"  All the children were equipped with a white paper bag and instructed to find ten butterflies, flowers, and/or dragonflies.  They were told that if they found a butterfly that said PRIZE they would win (only one prize person though- the thing they didn't know was I pretty much had prizes for everyone...hee hee). :)

Here are the kids lined up to begin the game.  Doesn't Evie look adorable?

The game was on - kids and parents raced to find the items!

Mommy helping Evie out to the field

Here is Evan helping his little sister out and putting one of the items in her bag.  Such a sweet big brother.

What's in there?

Here is Savannah with one of the prize butterflies.  Way to go!

The second game was "Toilet Paper Butterfly Cocoons."  This game is played with teams of three to four. Each team is given two or three rolls of toilet tissue paper. The idea is the first team to wrap up their volunteer in a toilet paper butterfly cocoon wins!  We had three teams with 3 fabulous adult volunteers.  You can see the teams in play below. :)

Team Travis, featuring Mike, Hailey, Bethany, Savannah, and Gavin.

Team Jim, featuring my Dad, Jennifer, Brittany, Evan and Jim's Dad.

Team Alan, featuring Natalie and Tyler (they were a small team, but very mighty!)

Look at the teams go....faster, faster, faster!

The final products!  I determined it a tie. :)  What great sports!  Good job guys.

This is one of my favorite pictures, the men breaking free from their cocoons after the competition!

After the games was lunch.  My wonderful Mom and Sister-in-law helped me to get everything ready.  Here is Alison posing with some of the dishes...yummy!

The food even included a butterfly fruit tray.  Alison laid out the beautiful fruit pattern.

With had special flutter dogs for the kids too.  They loved them!  Some of the adults were a little jealous, they had to eat Subway Sandwiches instead. :)

Here are pictures of some of the kids eating, Evan and Brittney looking cute below.

This picture cracks me up, looks like they all are so engrossed in conversation.

 

This picture also makes me smile, notice Savannah who was in the above picture seated at the table with Evan and Brittney.  Well, she is also at this table with Austin, Ethan, Gavin, and Tyler.  Pretty funny!

After lunch it was present time!

Evan enjoyed helping Evie open all of her gifts.

Evie appreciated brother helping her open the presents, but sometimes she really just wanted to do it by herself as seen in the picture below.

Evie was enjoying the festivities quite a bit and was very spoiled by all of her family and friends!

Evan and Tyler were being very special helpers and carrying all the gifts to Evie so she could open them.  Look at that team work.

Everyone in the gift frenzy...can you find Evie in the center of the fun?

Evie's loved ones, watching the gift opening, from left to right, Carol, Pops, Travis, Grandpa and Aunt Alison.

My big girl opening up her own gift!  Clothes...a girl after my own heart! 

 

Evie got a special little baby doll, from the Cusimano Family, and immediately wanted to give it a kiss.  My wonderful friend Jenn was able to capture it in this picture.  So cute!

After all the presents were opened it was finally cake time.

I made a pink butterfly cake, created from one round cake cut in half with notches on the sides and then flipped outward.  The butterfly body is made out of a Twinkie. :)

I also made butterfly cupcakes.  I used an idea I got from Martha Stewart's website for the design.

An up close picture of the butterfly cupcake from Jenn.

Evie also got her own special first birthday cake pictured below, pictured by my sister-in-law Debra, who took many of the other wonderful pictures I am featuring on this blog.  Thank you Debra and Jenn for lending me your photographic gifts to cherish forever of this special day!

Here is a picture of us with the birthday girl as everyone sings her Happy Birthday.  She looks a little concerned about what is going to be happening next doesn't she?!?!  On a side note, Evan couldn't wait for this part of the party, he was dying to hep her blow out her candle and eat some cake. :)

 

Blowing out the candle with Daddy and Brother's help.

Then Evie was put in her high chair for some cake.

First she tasted one of the white chocolate pretzel wings and the frosting that was on that.

Yummy!  And, look I have green lips and I am still so cute. :)

This is fun!

I like cake!

Messy is good!

 

Brother got to get in on the cake eating too.  He couldn't wait to have some dessert! 

Proud Mommy and Daddy with their baby!  After this picture she was about ready to chuck the birthday cake and plate onto the floor.  We took this to mean she was done. :)

Below are some pictures of our family and friends who were there to support and celebrate our Evie at the party.

Jayne, Natalie and Tyler Wisner

The Moon Family, Jennifer, Brooklyn, Jeremy and Brittney

Alan and Lois Meyer with the Birthday Girl! :)

The Cusimano Family from left to right Hailey, Austin, Rachel, Ethan, and Mike

The Cunningham Family,Travis, Gavin, Bethany and Savannah were all smiles.

Grandma and Grandpa Thompson with their granddaughter

The Brittain Family, Sallyann, Sienna, and Kyle

Carol and Greg Poindexter with the cute, adorable Evie

Brother and Sister, Alison and Jim

The Grandpas

Aunt Debra in her beautiful butterfly shirt, posing with a not so cooperative Evie.

 

Grandma Knight and Evie

 

The party ended with everyone getting special party favors.

The kids got little goodie bags filled with fun treats (butterfly related of course) and everyone got butterfly cookies made especially for the party, by Aunt Alison.  They were beautiful and delicious!

Evie's first birthday party was so amazing and filled with many wonderful memories.  Thank you to everyone for helping it to be such a special ocassion!  We love you all and thank you for loving our daughter and being in our lives!