Happy Faux First Birthday Chloe!

We had a small gathering at Larry and Velma's on Saturday to celebrate Chloe's first birthday a little early. I wanted Dad and Mark to be able to watch Chloe eat her first ever birthday cake. They were both in town this past weekend so it worked out really well. i also thought we'd do something early since her actual birthday falls on Easter this year. We only had our parents and our siblings and their kids at the party and I think that it was a fun time. It was strange to have such a small group, though. I plan on having a big party at our house with everyone for Sawyer's third birthday.

Lorie, Landon, and Blaine stopped by to see us for a few minutes before the party. Lorie was in town for Blaine's baptism. We thought it would be a shame to be so close and not see each other for at least a little while, especially since we live so far apart. Rachael had to work so Lorie had Blaine for the day. I was sad that I didn't get to see Rachael, but at least I got to meet Blaine.

Blaine looks so much like Tommy, but she definitely has Rachael's eyes.

I wish that there had been more time to spend with Lorie.

I found cute invitations and Lorne printed them for me. He was joking with everyone that he shouldn't have made them since everyone got there early. I had the party planned for 3:00, and I think everyone but Mark was there by noon. Mark got there a little later, just in time for cake.

Lorne did a great job on the invite. The scanner didn't quite do it justice. I erased our phone number and e-mail address for some anonymity.

Velma got chicken salad from work. We made sandwiches with croissants for lunch. Mom made stuffed peppers and I made BBQ Crispix mix for appetizers. I did a cupcake theme, and I had anything and everything cupcake. I had so much fun getting ready for her party! I had no idea that there was so much cupcake stuff out there!

I found this plate on birthdayexpress.com. I thought it would be a great way to commemorate the day.

I made cupcakes as party favors for the adults. Lorne and I also made cupcake lollipops for the kids. I also made Chloe's cake in the shape of a cupcake and also a giant cupcake cake for everyone else.

We did pink and purple for Brittany, Jordan, and Kayla, and blue and red for Sawyer and Tyler.

I made these cupcakes to match the one on the plates and napkins.

This giant cupcake is made with a double chocolate pound cake.

Here is Chloe's cake before it was decimated.

I found this dress online and Uncle Mark bought it for her. I'm going to have her pictures made in it too.

Sawyer helped Chloe get started on her cake. I changed her into another outfit for the cake eating which was good since I had to put her in the tub, clothes and all, once she was finished.

I tried to take Chloe's cake away from her because I thought she was through, and she threw a huge fit!

Chloe really took her time eating her cake. I wish I'd gotten a better picture of her cute bib. It has a cupcake with "My First Birthday" on it and is monogrammed with her name in pink.

Chloe wasn't sure what to make of Uncle Mark. It's probably because she felt like she was looking in a mirror.

It was so great to be back with my brothers again.