Carter turns One!

I have so much to write about Carter's birthday, and obviously not much time to write it (hence this being a week and a half late).  So I'll break it up into a few posts.

Carter's birthday landed on a Monday this year, which also happened to be Labor Day.  So we figured since it was a holiday and most people had it off anyway, we'd just throw his party on Monday.  Which was great in that we had all weekend to prepare for his party.  But not so great in that we spent all weekend preparing for his party.  And the more kids we have and the more parties we host, I find myself having this internal struggle.  Do I go all out and throw this huge birthday bash because that is what you're "supposed" to do and inside that's what I really want to do?  Because although it creates memories and leads to great pictures, it's a  whole lotta work.  Or do I keep it simple and do something small?  It's less work, but a first birthday is kind of a big deal and I don't want to him to feel (down the road) like we just skimmed past it.  So I think we met kind of in the middle.  It was by no means a party that would find it's way onto Pinterest, but I think we did a good job making the day special.

We sort of did a "Car" theme for Carter's party.  I say "sort of" because we just did a few car themed things, but really didn't go all out.  The invitations were shaped like little cars and for the party I made ants on a log "cars" with toothpicks and grapes for wheels.  They were cute.  But I didn't make a "car" cake. I just wasn't feelin' it.  But the car thing fit because Carter LOVES anything with wheels.  More than any other toy, a car will keep him entertained.  He drives the car, spins the wheels.  So fun!  Plus it's fits his name too.  CARter.  Car.  Get it?  (I'm sure you already caught that, but I figured I'd point it out anyway.)  Guess we named him appropriately :)

We had many wonderful friends and family here for Carter's party.  Of course Uncle JD and Auntie Pammie stayed, but Chris's parents also drove in for the party.  A 10 hour drive from Montana for a one year old party shows a lotta love for our special little guy.

I ... er, Carter opened presents.  He received lots of new "wheeled" things to play with.  Oh, what fun!

We all had lunch and then came the much anticipated eating of the cake!!

What is this??

First taste

This is pretty good.

Face first!

Messy cake face :)

Yes, I do indeed like this cake!

The cake was immediately followed by a bath and a new change of clothes.  Then after the sugar spike,came the sugar crash and a nap.  A much needed nap.  (For the record, there was actually very little sugar in the cake, but there was plenty in the frosting.  He ate mostly frosting).

After cake, our friends left, Carter napped, I cleaned the house and everyone just hung out.  I think I even took a nap. For dinner I declared that we were going out to eat.  After preparing food for 20 people at lunch time, I decided I was taking the night off.  After much debate and discussion about where & what to eat, we decided to grab some Pizza Hut and head to the park.

The boys had so much fun playing with Grandma and Papa!

And just like that our boy is one.  (sigh)  We made it.  And I'm really excited for the upcoming year.  I really am.  He's already changing so much and I LOVE seeing him grow and learn new things.  We are so blessed to have Carter in our family!!