Kayla's Fourth Birthday Party

Since Reagan was scheduled to be born at the end of August, we decided to have Kayla's birthday party early this year. We had it on Saturday, August 10 from 10:00-12:00 at the Kingsland Pavilion in Bella Vista, Arkansas.

  

One of the last things I did in preparation for Kayla's party was make balloon columns for the entrance to the pavilion. They were so large, the only place I could put them to get them out of the way was in the crib.

Christina and Kayla made extra cupcakes for the party.

 



I made poms to hang from the ceiling.

Mom had Kayla pose in front of her plethora of decorations.

  

Miles Watts (3), Kayla (3), Brynne Hanson (3), Hannah Hanson (5), Sawyer Hanson (3)

 



Kayla and Alexys

 



Alexys (4), Kayla, Izzie Mendoza (3), Hannah

 

Kayla, Audrie Cornett (5), Payton Schultz (4), Alexys

 

Kate & Elliette Burris (9 months), Emily Friesen

L.J. (10 months) and Melanie Ward

Sarah, Brynne, & Christina

Kayla and Brynn Douthit (4)

Present and party favor table - Mom made 24 party favor bags. She did such an incredible job!

Blowing out candles on her princess cake

The cake icing is her favorite part.

Best friends Payton, Brynn, and Kayla

 

Kayla thought it would be a good idea to share the left over cupcakes with the other kids at the park who were playing but not attendees of her party. I'm guessing she's offering this boy her water as well because his cupcake made him thirsty. Our daughter is the sweetest kiddo!!!



Other than the princess dress-up station, the pinata was the biggest hit of the party...pun intended.

 

 

Brett Ward (4), Payton, Miles, Kayla, Ashlyn Douthit (11)

 

Izzie, Will Burris (4), Audrie & Annie Cornett, Brett

 

 

Two years ago, this same group of girls had our photo taken with our oldest children when all of us only had one child. Just two years later, we now all have two!! It's amazing how much changes in such a short amount of time. Audrie, Annie, & Rachel Cornett; Kayla, Reagan (in the belly) & Shannon Wicker; Avery & Emily Friesen (Owen couldn't make it); Will, Elliette, & Kate Burris; L.J., Brett, and Melanie Ward

 

We didn't get any pictures of the decor in the pavilion. Mom and I got there around seven that morning to decorate and it turned out really cute!!

 

We let Kayla open her presents at home. She had so much fun openning all of her goodies!

 

Norm wanted to open some presents as well.

 

Mom was really sweet and took the decorations from Kayla's party to decorate for mine and Dad's birthdays. She always knows how to make everyone feel loved.

 

 

 

 

"Mommies to be" in Washington D.C., Part 2

Wednesday in Washington began with brunch at a restaurant similar to Panera. Our big plan for the day was to do some much needed shopping for the babies and the fourth of July party Donna was throwing!!

 



Christina, Lara (baby David-37 weeks), Shannon (baby Reagan-34 weeks), & Kayla Grace



Donna took us to this MASSIVE grocery store called Wegmans. It was definitely a different grocery shopping experience than Walmart!

 



The inside of the store had a very warm environment.

  

The one thing that Kayla wanted to do on our vacation was swim. Luckily, the Motseks have a pool in their backyard so that makes it very convenient! This was the first time she let me put her on her back in the water.

 

Davey senior kissing Davey junior

 

Mom and Donna went a little crazy at Babies 'R Us. Babies Reagan and Davey will not be lacking anything in the clothes department! My favorite purchase of the day was the diaper bag. I LOVE it and all of its multiple compartments!!! It's an organized mommy's dream.



The morning of the fourth of July, we went to a local nursery. It was the first one I had been to in a long time and it was so nice to see all of the beautiful flowers. Especially since the majority of live plants that end up in my care die within about a month.

 



Donna and I are trying to pick the perfect flowers to place around the pool for the party.

 

Davey wanted to get some play time in with Sadie before the party started.

 

  Papa Gary was in charge of grilling the burgers.

Our afternoon on the fourth began in the pool. Kayla invented this game where she would throw the duck and then Christina or I would help her chase after it once it was in the water. Then, she would throw it again and the game would continue...

Jumping off the side of the pool NEVER gets old!

 

  What would the fourth of July be without family, food, and fellowship?

We watched fireworks from the Motsek's backyard. Their neighbors have a private party every year and spend about $2000 in fireworks. It was a great show, and the best part was we didn't have to leave the backyard or deal with D.C. traffic! 

 

 

On July fifth, after saying our goodbyes and several tears, we headed back for Little Rock. We had a flight connection in Chicago where we found this giant dinosaur skeleton. Kayla thought it was pretty cool.