Reese Turns 3

Yesterday my 1st born turned 3 - I can hardly believe it! The first thing she said when she woke up that morning was "I'm not 2 anymore, I'm 3 today!" It's kind of a bummer that it's just a few days after Christmas so we try to make sure it's extra special and doesn't get mushed into Christmas at all. I was running around like a mad woman the day before and day of - getting the tree down, the cake baked, making decorations, and whatever else. We had a cowgirl/Toy Story theme.
My first attempt at covering a cake with fondant. I don't think I did too shabby.
I probably should have taken a picture when all of the food was on there but we had fried chicken, baked beans, corn muffins and dutch oven potatoes (that's all I could think of for a western menu).

My cute mom all ready for the party.

Reese and her cousin Dylan having a balloon fight while we waited for all the guests to arrive.
Reese's friend Brody modeling his party favors. All the kids got a hat, bandanna and sheriff star. I picked up a bunch of these sets after Halloween for really cheap knowing we were having a Toy Story party.
Reese, Dylan and Reese's friend Addi.
Although there were plenty of chairs the Grandmas opted to sit on the floor with the kids.
Reese super excited about her cake. Earlier that day she asked me 10 times if she could open the fridge and look at her cake, and then she would ask if she could show some of her stuffed animals her cake. She was pretty excited about it.
Reese also picked the cake flavors - strawberry and rainbow chip (we also had strawberry ice cream).
Reese giving her Pillow Pet a love! Thanks Grandma!
More and more presents - you would have thought it was Christmas all over again.


After the party she played with every single thing she got! She even painted a few pictures with her new paint set.
Reese's birthday loot (most of it should be pictured - it was scattered all around the house being played with). From Mom and Dad Reese got her very own digital camera, new rain boots, a Rex and Bullseye Figurine, and a Littlest Pet Shop. She was spoiled rotten! Thanks to all those who came and celebrated and to those that couldn't be there thanks for the gifts you sent!

Christmas Day

After we opened presents at our own house we stopped by Todd's parents house to open gifts and to eat breakfast.
One thing we got from them was a copy of Todd's dads mission report.
Reese helping Boston open his present (he wasn't too interested in opening presents - maybe next year).
Reese opening her present from Grandma and Grandpa (a new vtech laptop).
Boston loves his new cement truck from G&Gpa.
Reese also loved her kitty from her cousin Annagrace (she sleeps with it every night).
That afternoon we went down to my mom's house for dinner and you guessed it - more presents.
Reese got a Build-a-bear magnetic doll set from Grandma.
Daddy reading Boston his new book.
Boston's raspberry angel food cake face.
A new frog from Grandma Nan.

On our way home we stopped at a few places to look at some lights.
At home finally playing with her new laptop and listening to her music.

Christmas Morning

While I wrapped up the last few things Todd tested out 2 of his presents (his new NBA Jam game and banana chair).
Somehow snagged this picture just right after Santa came.
The kids opening up their stockings. Reese was so surprised by everything - even though she was with me when I bought most of these things.
Reese loves to sing and dance - so now she can do it everywhere. I just love that this little music player uses mp3 files instead of cd's (that would have been such a hassle). We put all of her Taylor Swift (her absolute favorite), Mickey Mouse, Disney Princess, Sesame Street and a few random favorites on there (random ones include: Muse-Uprising, Office theme song, Beyonce-Single Ladies).
Playing in Boston's new pop-up tent - which was a lot bigger than I thought it would be! They love it.
Todd's goodies from his SIL Angela. (We exchange names on Todd's side of the family).
The mayhem afterwords.
Reese and her Christmas loot.
Boston and his.

Our matching Christmas PJ's - don't mind the lack of makeup.

Christmas Eve

Since we've been married we've always gone to Todd's parents house for Christmas Eve and morning (since my family doesn't do anything until later Christmas day). However, this year we decided to stay at our own house this year. That way everyone can sleep in their own beds and we don't have to haul a lot more around. So on Christmas Eve we had Todd's family come up to our house and have a little get together. We had some snacks while we waited for dinner to finish up (soup and turkey), played a few games, read some Christmas stories, and read about the birth of Jesus in the Bible.


Reese biting the head off her snowman cupcake.


While we read from the Bible Reese put the characters on her felt board. She loved doing that (and even made Grandpa re-tell the story a couple more times just so she could put the people and animals on the board again.