San Diego Family Pictures

Two weeks before we left on vacation, I decided I wanted to have family beach pictures taken during sunset. After researching photographers, I found Zoetic Photography and fell in love with their work! I contacted Lindsey & Chad and they had an opening the week we were going to be in San Diego. They were GREAT to work with and I highly recommend them to anyone getting newborn/family pictures in the San Diego area.

They told me it would be two weeks before I would have the pictures back, so when I received an email from them today I was so excited! And nervous. I said a little prayer to myself, that I would at least like one picture and I wouldn't be too harsh on myself & think I looked fat in every picture. But when I opened the file, tears came to my eyes. I was SO happy with the pictures and can't wait to print them out!!!

Paige & Luke's Country Picnic Baby Shower

I hosted a country picnic themed couples baby shower for my sister-n-law and her husband over the weekend.

It was so fun showering the couple with new baby goodies - and I can't wait until August to snuggle on the little one!!!

 

The soon to be parents.

The soon to be parents with the mommy's parents.

The soon to be parents with the daddy's parents.

 

I had so much fun decorating for the party!!

It was all things gingham + mason jars + burlap + galvanized.

I even found weeds in the ditch to add the finishing touches to the mason jar centerpieces - which was much cheaper than buying wild flowers for them for them!

 

Dessert Table:

I served scotheroos on a stick, jello cups and mason jar cookies for dessert.

 

 

 

Food Table:

You can't have a picnic without grilling burgers.

The hamburger bar was super easy {mostly because I didn't have to do the grilling!} and everything could be prepped ahead of time.

Along with the burgers, I served cowboy beans, mixed fruit, pasta salad and chips.

 

 

 

 

Gift Table:
I set the gift table up in the garage so the guests didn't have to make a trip in the house when it was time to open gifts.
It was a HOT day, but luckily the garage was comfortable. We kept the doors shut all day, ran a fan and Nick installed an window air conditioner at the last minute to keep it cool!

 

 

 

 

Paige & Luke opened lots of goodies for the baby.

 

 

They are not finding out the gender of the baby, so they received a set of clothes for each gender.

 

My prediction is a BOY!

 

 

While they opened gifts, I handed out popsicles to the kiddos to keep them entertained.

 

After eating & opening gifts, the kids swam in the pool and the adults hung out.

 

Everyone had so much fun celebrating the expecting parents - even the guys didn't mind being at a shower...but mostly because I served beer!!!

Kimber's THREEcheersfor EARS: The Party!

Kimber has been obsessed with Mickey Mouse since last summer when she spent the week at Great Gramma & Grampa's house and watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse all week long. Ever since then, all she wants to do is watch Mickey, wear Mickey {or Minnie} clothes and sing the Clubhouse songs. When I was thinking of a theme for her third birthday party - it didn't take me long to decide on what type of party to go with - MICKEY MOUSE!! A few weeks before the party {after I sent out invites} ,Kimber informed me she wanted a Minnie party, so I incorporated Minnie & bows into the party at the last minute!!

 

Kimber outfit details:

Mickey shirt: MyEverydayDesign Etsy Shop

 

My outfit details:

Beadsbee Boutique

 

 

 

 My sister snapped this picture of Kimber on her cell phone and I can't get enough of it! It shows her silly & fun personality!!

 

 

Every year, I {try to remember to} get a picture of Kimber with her Godparents, Grandparents and Great Grandparents.

 

 

I love how Kimber wraps her arms around everyone when she get her picture taken with them!

 

 

 

When I started looking at invitations for Kimber's Mickey party, I wanted a modern invitation and the Mickey invite from this shop was exactly what I was looking for!!

 

 

The past two years, I've had her party at 11:00am. But since we were having the party a week earlier than usual {we have graduations the weekend of Memorial Weekend} - I decided to go with a later start time incase the men were still in the fields planting. The later time worked out perfectly. The weather was beautiful, so the adults could sit in the driveway & visit while the kids played. Our last guests didn't leave until 10:00pm!

 

Food Table:

You can't have a Mickey Mouse themed birthday party without a hot diggity dog bar!

We grilled hot dogs and served them will all the toppings: ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, cheese, jalapenos, chili, cheese sauce and sauerkraut.

 

Along with the hot dog bar, I served our favorite summer salads:  Minnie bow tie pasta salad, chop-chop salad, taco salad and fruit salad with Mickey Mouse watermelon.

 

Food Table Decorations:

Hot Diggity Dog Bar Sign: MyPerfectPartyStudio

Food Tents: MyPerfectPartyStudio

Condiment Labels: MyPrintablePartyLine

Mickey Mouse Head Cookie Cutter: The Buttercup House

Pinwheels: Hobby Lobby

Polka Dot Table Covers: Discount Party Supplies

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 Drink Table:

We served pink lemonade with strawberries, lemons and 7up  or the kiddos.

We also had an adult version of the lemonade {with wine} in the garage along with beer & water.

 

Drink Table Decorations:

Drinks Sign: MyPerfectPartyStudio

Pinwheels: Hobby Lobby

Polka Dot Straws: Discount Party Supplies

 

 

 

Dessert Table:

When I asked Kimber if she wanted a cake or cupcakes for her party - she said cupcakes.

Which was fine with me because I'd been eyeing Mickey cupcakes on the internet and I thought they were adorable!

As always, Aunt Paige did an amazing job on the cupcakes!

 

I ordered cookies as party favors from the local bakery {as I do every year} and they turned out just as cute!!

 

Dessert Table Decorations:

Desserts Sign: MyPerfectPartyStudio

Thanks for Stopping By Cookie Sign: MyPerfectPartyStudio

Polka Dot Table Cover & Banner & Balloons: Discount Party Supplies

Cupcake liners: Michaels Craft Stores

Red Polka Dot Plates: Hobby Lobby

 

 

I found a Mickey head silhouette online and added them to the banner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since everyone was outside enjoying the weather, we sang to the birthday girl outside.

I wasn't sure how she'd do with everyone singing to her - but she loved it!!

 

 

 

Nick surprised Kimber with an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen...although I think it was more for Nick than Kimber!

 

 

Gift Table:

I set the gift table up inside, but it ended up being such a beautiful night that we moved gift opening outside.

 

Gift Table Decorations:

Gifts Sign: MyPerfectPartyStudio

Invitation: NotableAffairs

Polka Dot Table Cover & Balloons: Discount Party Supplies

 

 

 

 

There was a theme for most of the gifts she received - Mickey or Minnie Mouse!!!

 

 

Gift opening was going great until she opened the baby car seat & the Mickey outfit for her Build-a-Bear.

After that, she wanted nothing to do with opening gifts and only wanted to play with these two gifts!



We had so much fun celebrating the birthday girl!