Happy Birthday KORY!

Today is Kory's Birthday!

Send him some birthday love would ya?

Thanks!

Here's a walk down memory lane for you all!

Happy Birthday Mom and Grandma!

Today is my Mom's Birthday!

I am so glad I have this lady in my life, and that she plays such an active role in Axel's life as well. We are very blessed to be a part of her family, and I hope she knows how much we love, admire and respect her.

She is the reason I am what I am today. I tease her sometimes that all my "crazy" comes from her, but in reality that "crazy" side of me, is the side I am the most proud of and the side about myself I wouldn't trade or want to be any other way.

So thanks mom for teaching me to be the woman I am today, for loving me and for taking care of me! LOVE YOU and hope you enjoyed your "Birthday Week", (despite dad's teasing) we ALL know you deserve it, and are excited to celebrate with you!

Just thought this was a fun picture of my mom and festive to give you a little taste of the upcoming holiday season, doesn't my mom look adorable? And of course that tiny giraffe is to die for right?! So excited!

ewwwwww gross

Similac formula recalled!

Click this link for in the info!

The rest

My family always teases me, because when I grew up my birthday was spread over a bunch of days and I grew accustomed to having a "birthday week."

It wasn't intentional that we did the same for Axel, it just happened that way.

Here are the pictures from the rest of the party that I took. They are all just pictures of him scarfing his face full of cake. :)


The birthday hat I forgot to have him wear until the end :) But it made a cute table decoration :) mmm cake pop!


Then on his Actual birthday we decided we would try to do the birthday cake again with just our small family and a candle, and a cake that was a bit more messy (and sugar free).
This is after he attempted to grap the candle and I screamed, and kory grabbed his hand, and he cried. He was pretty upset about it...

But cheered up eventually.

The next day was Sunday, so we decided we would take him to the Provo Temple for the first time to see the fountains for his birthday. Which he loved! But there were sooo many missionaries there! It was nuts, and they all got a kick out of him in his church clothes, they were taking pictures of him constantly.

He loved the fountain.

He was very interested in all the missionaries
But he definitely wanted them to keep their distance. I don't know why I find this picture so adorable. Something about him being dressed up like a little Kory I just find too adorable. And it just shows what a good dad Kory is, so patient and guiding, and a great example to him, and he really looks up to him. Sheesh I may cry! not the best picture of me, but boy my boys look soo handsome! and the missionaries in the back of our family picture crack me up!
What's the temple without the flowers? Can I just say tho, the flowers this year have been amazing at the temple!

In my attempt to get this (above) shot for his bedroom, this missionary (below) kept standing in the way...

And then this guy joined in...
...and then this big group of people
and this guy, full on bends down and poses with him. What the heck? Missionaries are so weird.
and don't forget the guy in the back ground taking a picture of them taking a picture.

Like I said...missionaries are weird. But Kory and I got a big laugh about it on the way home, and I am glad I was sort of able to crop them out of at least one. But it is kind of weird to think that somewhere out there, these missionaries have photo's of him and will forever have them with all their missionary pictures, that they will show to family and friends. You know? I will give a dollar to the first person that can track one of these photos down!

Axel was pretty much spoiled when it came to presents tho. (no pictures) But even after the party he had friends dropping presents off all week! He was given so many books, videos, cars, and clothes. Sheesh this boy sure is loved!

As exhausting as this week seems to everyone else, I loved every minute. It helped me embrace the idea that my baby is no longer that teeny tiny baby. But is growing into a fun handsome little boy. And I think I am ok with that.

But we had a great week and it was fun to have it all spread out, intentional or not :)

hmmmm I may just continue this tradition after all :)

Thought I'd share

Since Axel's party I've been getting all sorts of requests, and compliments on my party throwing skills, I honestly feel flattered that people like what I do. It makes me feel good to use the skills I went to school for, well...at least some of them anyway.

One recent design that I did, that I thought turned out pretty cute was for my friend little boy's party.
Anderson fam: Do you recognize the Truck? Its grandpa Andy's! But I took him out of the photo, as stylish as he was in it, I thought she would think that was strange...But it was perfect for what she was going for. (It was Kory's idea to use the car)

I still have lots more to post from Axel's party that's just what I am excited about this week!

True beauty

My good friend Jessica Peterson , (the one who takes all of the amazing pictures of Axel) is in Africa right now, and has been photographing some pictures of refugee orphanages she is visiting.

I was really nervous for the sadness I would see there, like a lot of the ones you see from other photographers, and in documentaries, but like everything she really knows how to bring life and beauty to her subjects. Not that the subject isn't still sad, but she captures these little souls so beautifully, each picture is just inspiring in a I want to help and get involved kinda way.

I admire her so much, she is one of those beautiful souls, and I feel so blessed to have her in my life. But if you get a minute hop on over to her blog, really do its so breath taking, and also there are ways you can get involved to help these children.

The great thing is she posts at least every day so you get to be there in the moment with her. So worth your time.

Click here to view her blog

**I stole the picture of her above from her blog because I think that captures her perfectly, and she is always behind the lens.