2nd Birthday Party

We traveled to Missouri for another party. Weather aside, it was a great time. I hate snow. Like, so much. It started snowing the morning of the party, and was bone-chilling cold. We also traveled back to St. Louis after the party. A drive that normally takes just under 3 hours, took us 4 hours. The roads were completely covered the further north we got. Yuck. 

I'll stop whining about the weather now. 

We all had a wonderful time at the party. We had almost the same crew as last year, and I love every one of them! 

Big shout out to my mom and sister, who run around and work like crazy to help get everything together. And clean up without complaint or even being asked. They're super awesome. I love them.

Nolan was so much more open with people, even from just a few months ago at Christmas. He interacted with everyone with only a slight amount of caution, and I think just about everybody got to hold him. He's so dang cute, people just have to get those cheeks ;)

I loved the way his theme turned out. We couldn't decide between a few different ideas, but ended up going with nautical. I had so much fun making the decorations. Not as much cutting them all out, but ya know. My dad fried fish and everything. It was delicious - and perfect. Even Nolan, who has gotten picky, gobbled down a lot of fish. 

You know I'm all about the matching, right? Invitations, clothing, food, decorations, the whole bit ;)  I was very pleased with how it all turned out. 

Our "catch of the day" was catfish. I didn't manage to get a picture of it once food arrived, but oh well... 

This year I set out a bowl of wallets for people to take a picture, because I'm always forgetting to send people prints. The crowd seemed happy with this :)

Seriously though, this cake topper is adorbs! 

For whatever reason, I failed to get a picture of the "sailors rope" (twizzlers).

He bonded with Aunt Amanda a bit. 

lol  That face... 

Look at these two! They really do like a lot alike. 

He did awesome opening presents. We tore some out of packages along the way. What fun is opening presents if you don't get to play with some?

He's mesmerized by the flame of candles. He blew both of them out, too! One at a time. And then wanted to do it again. Ha!

Eating cake. Such a different sight from last year, eh? 

Great Pawpaw Ed wanted to some cake. Nolan was not about to share it though.

Great Pawpaw Ted!

He got quite the surplus of clothing (which he actually needed), some very entertaining musical toys, of course some balls, and books. All of which he seems genuinely interested in. 

He's an awesome kid, so it's pretty fitting that we get to celebrate his birthday with awesome people. Thanks to everyone who shared the day with us and for all the amazing gifts!