Let's Hula!

 Are you ready for a major picture overload? I wasn't hosting this party so I was able to snap some pictures. Janet did such an incredible job decorating and made lots of festive treats. 

 Peanut Butter Sandals.

 Fruit Kabobs on a cute fishy plate!

 She had buckets full of gold fish and Swedish fish as well. E was pretty excited to be able to eat some Swedish fish.

 Teddy Bear on a beach cupcakes. So stinking cute! 

 The favors.

 The birthday girl and her family all dressed up!

 We wanted to take a picture of Vi with her guests before they all got wet. More showed up as the party progressed. There was quite the crowd! 

 Proof that Peanut was there even though she refused to stand with everyone. 

 Pool Time!

 Lucy just loved toting this Flamingo around.

 The pizza needed an umbrella too. 

 Pinata!!

 E didn't loose her cool while the broke the pinata this time but she did keep her distance. 

 VOILA! The cake. To quote Janet: "Barbie, you never looked so good!" Janet used milk duds for coconuts. Too cute! 

 Just a girl and her cake! 

 "Happy Birthday dear Violet!!!!!"

 Viloet could hardly wait to open her presents. In fact she spent a large portion of her party inside just staring at them and trying to take sneak peaks. She was spoiled with lots of wonderful gifts.

 The birthday fairy told Uncle Jakob and I that she really wanted a bathtub and toilet for her doll house. With a request like that I thought it was too funny not to get it for her. Here's Barbie enjoying a hamburger in the tub.

 And little Chelsea can finally relieve herself.Vi had me laughing out loud.

 Chad and Janet then spoiled me by taking me out for some of the best BBQ I've had. I mean it was delicious! There were lots of things for the kiddos to look at and E was loving eating fruit snacks and french fries. 

 Go Longhorns! Happy Birthday Violet! I can't believe how grown up she is! The first time I met little Vi was when she was 6 months old and now she's about to go into kindergarten. Time flies!!

A Crazy Morning & Party Prep

 Thursday we had a great start to our trip.... NOT! It was one thing after another. Since I booked a flight that left at 6:00 a.m. we had to wake E up at 4:30 a.m. to get to the airport. They asked Jakob if he wanted to escort us to the gate which was FABULOUS! I had an extra set of hands to get through security. We get to the gate just as their boarding. Find a seat, full flight, minimal room to juggle a wiggly baby (but that's expected.) "Okay" I think to myself, "Only 2 and a half hours till we're there!"... Wrong. We sat on the tarmac for 25 minutes while they figured out some sort of issue with the computer. I was using all of my tricks and treats to entertain a very tired E and we hadn't even taken off yet.

The rest of the flight went well. E only lost her cool once when I had to do an emergency blow out full outfit change on the plane. We land, I get off and I wait 15 minutes for them to bring my stroller up. Once they get it to me I realize my front bar is missing and they head downstairs to retrieve it. Upon closer inspection it was not in fact missing they had SNAPPED IT OFF!!! They had also snapped off one of the wheel guards but I didn't notice that until I had left the gate. Let me tell you I was fuming! 

We finally got to Janet and she informs me that her morning was spent at the Dr's. She had pink eye. Lucia was rocking a mild fever and wasn't feeling well. Needless to say between the two of us, we were pretty cranky. Super happy to see one another but cranky. 

The rest of our afternoon was spent prepping for Vi's Luau party. The perfect distraction for both of us. How could you stay angry while you prep for a party? First we had to fill the pool. Peanut got a little wet. :)

 There's the birthday girl!!!

 Janet spent most of the day baking four cakes for the Luau Barbie and a few cupcakes with the left overs. All day long Vi was asking to decorate a cupcake. Finally before bed her wish was granted. She was so excited!

 She did a great job spreading the frosting.

 No decorating experience is complete without a little sampling. 

 Tada! The finished product! It was perfect and she was beyond excited!

 After the little peoples republic had been put to bed it was time for Janet to tackle the cake. Everything I know about cake decorating I've learned from watching Cake Boss. Lame I know. First we had to dirty ice the cake. It's so humid in TX that even chilled the cake was breaking apart.

No fear... Janet has got some mad skills. She rocked that cake!

The morning of we sliced fruit and the girls helped me make kabobs. It was a fabulous party.... but we'll save that for another post!

Love at Home

 I was getting the travel bug pretty bad. October was the last time I'd gone anywhere (not including our very quick trip to Provo.) I felt I needed to visit some family while I was still able to only pay for one seat. Once Duke is here we won't be able to fly anywhere without Jakob until E turns two and once she does I have to pay for two seats for her. That alone was reason enough for me to book a last minute flight to Houston to visit Jakob's eldest brother Chad and his darling family. This was also my first time meeting the newest nephew Benico. I fell in love instantly. He is beyond precious.

 At first E was a little unsure of Benico. I was pretty amazed at how well she did with him. She liked to rock his chair and would pet his head. Aside from that she really ignored him. She didn't like it when he cried and would run in to investigate. I hope she stays this way for when Duke arrives. I don't think she's going to like sharing Mama or Daddy though. 

 E was rather loved on by her cousins. She really enjoys her personal space and after one too many hugs in the tub she decided she was ready to come out. 

 Vi is such a good helper with her little brother. Those girls just love him to pieces!

 Especially Lucy Lou. She likes to show him lots of affection which is a bit scary at times. Ben is so calm though he doesn't seem to mind... actually on several occasions we caught him smiling back at her.

 E loved having friends to play with. This time she was able to keep up and run around with them which was wonderful! Vi got a princess piano for her birthday and E couldn't get enough of it. The girls were really wonderful about sharing their toys! 

Anything they did E wanted to do too. She's getting to be such a big girl! 

 Aren't they just precious?!

 Singing to the little man. His little laugh was too cute! 

 Had to snap a picture or two of Benico in this super cute outfit. I'll wait for Janet to tell you the history behind it. 

 Baby toes. One of my favorite things EVER! 

I'm looking a bit chunky here. I suppose that's what you get for being 7 1/2 months preggers.

 Ethnie LOVED dancing with Uncle Chad. So much fun!!

 I got to experience my first ever Happy Hour Sonic Milkshake and Real Fruit Smoothies. Holy man! I have found my new addiction!! 

Vi rocking my sunshades while we zipped through Ikea. I really should have brought an extra suitcase. The closest Ikea to Vegas is 6 hours away. Then again I suppose Jakob is glad I didn't have anymore room. We had a blast in Houston. No fear more pictures are on their way.