Kayla Turns 2 (AKA Nemo Party?)

Can someone please tell me how I have a two year old? I just can't believe this little cutie is already 2. It just seems like yesterday that I was holding her in my arms for the first time and now she is no longer a baby... she's my little girl! 

Here's a little fashion show of our Little Lady in one of her many cute outfits. 

It's no secret that I love birthdays and I started planning Kayla's birthday a few months ago. I originally planned on doing a Sesame Street theme because Makayla loves Elmo, but one day I asked her if she wanted an Elmo party and she said "Nemo party?" I tried for weeks to convince her she wanted an Elmo party, but every time I asked her she would tell me "Nemo party." So I caved and started planning her Nemo themed 2nd Birthday Party.

Saturday the 26th we had her birthday party. I made this centerpiece and we had goldfish crackers, Sweedish fish, and blue and orange M & M's for people to munch on before dinner.

We had orange and blue balloons

And I made this Nemo poster for our game. 

We even hooked up the computer to the t.v. and had a screen saver of an aquarium playing. 

Both sides of our family are so supportive and we had over 25 people at our house. Here's a few of them...

And some more of 'em

And my bestie showed up... good thing she got the memo about what color to wear. It's like one mind. 

We had a nacho bar for dinner then played "Pin the Lucky Fin on Nemo"

Grandpa Craig had to help Makayla and Colton

But our winner was Maddie... doesn't she look so excited that she won? :) All the kids got a gift bag with orange or blue drink, blue air head, Nemo fruit snacks, and bubbles. 

Then we opened presents. Makayla sure is spoiled! She got lots of clothes, a Little People Princess Castle and play food from my parents, a pretend cleaning set and clothes from Grandpa Craig and Grandma Terry, a wiggle car from the Taylor/Kiniry/Chavez fam, and money from the great-grandparents. 

After presents we had birthday cake. In the craziness of the moment we didn't get pictures, but luckily Karly took some on her phone! Here's Makayla's Nemo cake.... which was by far the cutest cake EVER!!

We sang Happy Birthday and then Mommy and Daddy had to help her blow out the candle. 

And guess who loves cake? This girl! She even asked for seconds. 

After her busy day, Makayla was exhausted and went to bed right when everyone left. 

Sunday we got to relax and play with all of Makayla's new toys. 

 Makayla set up a picnic with Daddy with her new play food.

 So cute! They played "cheers"

Then she set up a picnic with her new bears. 

 

We also called everyone to tell them thank you for coming to the party and for the gifts. 

Monday was Makayla's actual birthday. Here she is in one of her new birthday outfits before she left for daycare. 

 

She had to show me her Nemo and turtle form her cake. 

 At daycare they had cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday.

After Daddy got off work we took Kayla to dinner. She loves breakfast foods so we took her to IHOP

She got pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Both kids loved it and ate all their food. 

They even brought her ice cream and sang a little birthday song. (She didn't want any of the ice cream so Tyler and I ate it all!)

 

After dinner we came home and Makayla got to open her presents from us. 

We gave her a tri-cycle, more princess dolls for her castle, a Nemo coloring book, and a Cinderella Precious moment. I thought I took pictures of her gifts, but I guess I didn't. Oops! Since then she has been playing with her gifts non stop! She loves her princess dolls and likes to play their songs over and over again. She has also had numerous picnics and then uses her cleaning stuff to clean up after. I just love they way her imagination is growing. 

Today I took her in for her two year appointment and here's her stats: 

Weight: 29.5 lbs (80%)

Height: 34.1 inches (70%)

Head 18.5 inches (20%)

Here's some other things about our adorable two year old: 

Favorite food: "Butter Honey", cuties, C snacks (fruit snacks),  and lunch meat. 

Favorite shows: Nemo and Sesame Street

Loves: Blankie, Ciwella (Cinderella), playing in her play room. 

Hates: Brushing her teeth and when Caden steals her toys. 

Nicknames: Kayla Bugs, Kayla Buttons, and Missy. 

Some of our favorite sayings of Kayla's include: 

"Baba, Nemo?", "Com-a-hair Momma?", "I like it", "I'll get you", "What doin?" "How it workeen'?", and "I made it!"

 And here's some random pictures of our Kayla-bugs from the month. Brooke did Makayla's hair so cute the other day. She kept saying "Brooke did it".

 And this is what Makayla looks like when she gets herself ready.  You know... no diaper, a purple headband, and a red shirt.

 

Oh, Makayla! Our lives have never been the same since you joined our family... all in good ways! We love you so much and love the sweet little girl you are turning into. You can be a little stubborn at times, but you can also be the sweetest little princess. We love seeing you learn new things every day and laughing at your new phrases. You bring so much joy to our lives and we just love that you are OUR little girl and we get to raise you in our little family! Love you Kayla Buggies!!!

New Year, Cute Caden

I can't think of a better way to start out this years' posts than with an update of our cute little Caden!

Caden had his 9 month check up last week and here's his stats:

Weight: 18.2 lbs (25%)

Height: 27.75 in. (25%)

Head: 17.1 in (10%)

Even though he is just a little guy, he is full of energy! He is crawling all over the house and loves to follow Makayla around. He hates being in a room all alone. He likes to try all different kinds of food and loves to eat toilet paper... fyi, I do not love that. Caden is still not sleeping through the night consistently, oh well... someday, right? :)

We love our little Cader-tot so much!

New Year's Eve 2012

Tyler and I don't love New Years. I don't know why, but it is our least favorite holiday. So for this New Year's Eve we decided to keep it low key. We headed up to The Land a few days before and thought we could have our celebration up there. Craig and Terry were sick and they didn't come up until Sunday, but the Jones family headed up with us and we had a blast together. 

 We played out in the snow. At first Makayla was scared, but after a while she loved it. We bundled her up so much she could hardly move. 

 Daddy took Makayla on a 4 wheeler ride to see the horses. Makayla said, "Hi horsie!" and "more horsies"

 I braved the cold and took Makayla on a sled ride

 Which she loved!

 Then we went sledding down the small hill right off the cabin's back door.

 Makayla LOVED it! She kept telling us who's turn it was. Here's Daddy and Makayla going down the hill

Cader-Tot is too little to go outside so he got to stay inside and got lots of snuggle time with Mommy and Aunt Tracy.

We also watched movies together on the couch (Cader-Tot was asleep)

Then December 30 came around and we decided to have a early New Year's party. Since the kids are too young to stay up until midnight, we tend to celebrate early... this year at 8:00

We got all ready for the party. 

 Caden looks like he is ready for a par-tay!!

So does Aunt Tracy!

 Obviously Makayla didn't love the noise maker as much as I did.

 And this handsome guy is always ready for a party. He looks like he has two horns... He must be a Mormon.

 Grandpa Craig was excited for the party!

 Here's my crazy family all ready to count down the new year.

 And the Jones family. Poor Colton was not feeling well and he fell asleep at 7:00. We still wanted him to be a part of the party, so we put a party hat on him and a noise maker in his hand, you know, so he could party in his dreams. :)

So sad, but so cute at the same time. 

 Grandma and Grandpa were all ready for the party, complete with their noise makers.

 At 8:00 we counted down and yelled Happy New Year, then we went out on the porch to yell and scream. Makayla was yelling and shaking her noise maker, and poor Caden just looked at all of us like we were crazy. After that we put the kids to bed and played BezzerWizzer. At 10:00 we were all ready to go to bed. It might be a lame New Years celebration, but we love it just as much as going out for a big night out.

This was such a fun way to celebrate the end of 2012. Last year my goal for 2012 was to slow down. I don't know if we did that with two little babies, but we certainly tried. 2012 has been great to us.We have a great life, a healthy family, two fantastic jobs, and a life we love, we couldn't ask for more! We can't wait for 2013 and to see all that life has in store for us.

Happy New Year from all of the Lurps!!