It's Party Time!

Yesterday, June 25, 2011, we had Taylor's 2nd birthday party.  Our closest friends and family all came to Mom and Dad's house to help us celebrate.  They have an incredible backyard that is full of shade, so we decided to have the party over there.  We set up a little bounce house and some games and toys out there for the kids to play with.  Dad set up a big white tent and we put tables and chairs under the shade of their big trees.  It turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day and the kids had fun "just being kids."

Nana came over to help set everything up and my sweet friend Lisa came over early to help me get the finishing touches on the cake.  Once the party got started, Brent manned the grill.  We had hot dogs, brats, and some deer burgers, along with some other sides and "fixins" like "Mack's Munchies," "Chick's Chinese Coleslaw," and "The Kings's Cowboy Caviar."  Mama mixed up some "Lightning McQueen strawberry lemonade slushies," so everyone could stay cool. 

When everyone had stuffed their bellies, it was time for cake.  We all sang "Happy Birthday" to Tay and he just looked at all of us with his little smirk and stuck his tongue out of the front of his mouth.  He was more concerned with sticking his finger in the icing and blowing out his candles.

We finished the afternoon opening up presents.  When Taylor was done, there was tissue paper, wrapping paper, and presents everywhere.  It looked like Christmas morning!  He got tons of toys, a new train, some cute clothes and lots of new characters from the Cars 2 movie.  One of his favorite things he got was an electronic racetrack.  He and Brent were up late last night racing Lightning McQueen against Francesco Bernoulli.

When it was time for Tay's friends to leave, he gave them a "Tow Mater Treat Bag" and some bubbles to say "thank you" for coming to his party.

When the party was over, Taylor found his way back outside and in front of a "sand box."  There were a couple of holes in the backyard that they made sure were filled with sand before the party, so no one would trip or fall and get hurt.  Tay thought it was his own miniature play area.  He had to get a total hose down before stepping foot back in Mimi and G-Daddy's house!

We feel so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and an amazing family.  It means so much to us to have them in our lives.  It was one very special day for one very special two year old!

Happy Daddy's Day!

Even though I am a Mama, I love Father's Day.  I love that it is a time to honor Dads and show them how important they are to us.  I feel lucky to have such a wonderful Daddy and so blessed to have married Brent.  He is such an amazing man, who is an incredible husband.

The morning started off pretty calm.  When Brent got home, Taylor gave him his present.  A bag full of kisses (Hershey's almond ones), a big bear hug, and a recordable picture frame.  We you push the button, Taylor's voice says. . . "Hey, Daddy. . . I love you Daddy!"  The next thing I knew, I looked up at the clock and saw that we had to leave in fifteen minutes to make it to worship on time.  At that point, none of us were dressed.  Needless to say, we ended up driving separately, so that I could make it on time to teach.  

After church, we hurried home to start getting things ready.  To show Brent and our Dads how much we love and appreciate them, we had everyone over for lunch.  Brent smoked a couple of chickens and I made a dip, some bruschetta, and a grilled romaine salad with blue cheese and a bacon vinaigrette.  After all, what's Father's Day without a little bit of bacon?  My Mama brought her famous baked beans and we all stuffed ourselves.  But we weren't too full, because there is always dessert to eat!  Brenda brought over a chocolate cake and I made a homemade apple pie (Brentley's favorite).  It was so nice to have everyone together, eat good food, and enjoy one another's company.

Earlier in the week, I made some little "tie" decorations.  I took an idea by Martha Stewart and decided to make my own out of cardstock and scrapbook paper.  Then, I filled containers with root beer flavored candy and put them on the table for decoration.  I also used a really cute tie printable off of Shindigs website.  I printed them up, cut them out, punched holes, tied a little twine around them and "voila!"  They added some fun to the root beer bottles and were the perfect touch to top off the slices of apple pie.

  

By the end of lunch, everyone was ready for a nap.  But before anyone left, we took pictures with all of the Dads. 

After everyone was gone, I gave Brent his last Father's Day present.  It was a new brass shield holder to go on his helmet.  It turned out to be a great day for everyone, not just the Dads!

Happy Father's Day to all of the Dads out there!

Boo Boo Bunny to the Rescue!

Last night, Tay was pretty wound up, so when I finally got him in his pjs, on the couch, and under the covers, he was still squirmy and a little bit antsy.  I guess he was trying to get comfortable on his pillow pet, because he kept turning his head back and forth.  Well, one time, he picked his head up and instead of coming straight down onto the pillow, he swung that big noggin' to the right and nailed me in the mouth.  He must have hit it just right, because he split my lip and I could immediately taste blood.  It must have hurt him too, because he sat up and started rubbing his head.

While I was grabbing a baby wipe to clean off my lip, he hopped off of the couch and went into the kitchen.  I had no clue what he was doing, so I went to go and see.  I found him at the freezer door, pointing at the handle, and saying "boo boo."  I figured out that he wanted the Boo Boo Bunny.  I opened the freezer door and he squatted down to find it on one of the little shelves.  I couldn't help but smile.  I figured he was going to stick it on his head, but instead, he turned to me and said "Mama, boo boo."  I knelt down and he put the Boo Boo Bunny on my head (I guess he thought we hit heads).  My heart melted.  I gave him a big bear hug, sat on the floor, and let him put it on my head until he thought it "looked better."

When he was done doctoring me up, he sat on the floor and put it on his big toe.  I guess he thought his old "injury" needed some tlc!  That little boy cracks me up.  What can I say?  There is never a dull moment in the Forrester house!

Here's to Our Happily Ever After

Six years ago today, I married the man of my dreams, who also happens to be my best friend.  I can't help but think back to that special day and how we met.  Who would have thought that two people that went to high school together and knew a lot of the same people, wouldn't meet until after college (and the Air Force) at Buffalo's trivia night.  What can I say, God's grace and our love of wings, brought us together!

Brent and I had our first date on February 7, 2004 and were engaged on August 29th, of the same year.  While we only dated for 6 months, we both knew that we would spend the rest of our lives together.

On June 10, 2005, we said "I do" on Santa Rosa Beach.  Our wedding was everything we could have ever dreamed of.  The people we loved the most were there to support us as we pledged our love and devotion to each other.  The food was delicious, the weather held out just long enough for us to make our "get away," and I got to wear flip flops. 

 Brent is the most wonderful man I have ever met.  He is patient and kind, athletic and ambitious, and not to mention, incredibly handsome.  He has seen me at my best and at my worst and is always there for me.  He is my true love and I feel like God made him just for me.  We just "work" and fit together perfectly.  I can't wait to see what the next 6 years bring us.  I'm not sure what adventures are in store, but I know they will be filled with a whole lot of love and laughter.