Jackson's 2nd Birthday Party!

*Warning-this is about the longest post ever. Consider yourself warned*
Pretty crazy, but my little man is turning two this week! We had his birthday party yesterday and it was so much fun! I LOVE planning parties and it turned out great! I did a car theme because he is obsessed with cars. He plays cars all day every day. The invitations had a little car scene on the front with all of the info on the back.





For decorations I made different road signs. There was a stop sign, a traffic light, two turn here signs, and a road sign. I also made tissue paper poms in yellow, green, red, and blue and hung them around the room. The table had a black tablecloth with car cookies running down the center. We also had Jackson's 2 year pictures displayed all over. The plates were yellow and the utensils were red, yellow, and green in a black and white checkered napkin (these looked really cute! They were tied with red and white ribbon. I forgot to get a picture though).









For food we had sliders, a veggie tray, wheel shaped pasta salad, and chips. For the drinks I bought the 12oz bottles of coke, diet coke, and sprite and made cute drink labels that said Happy 2nd Birthday Jackson! They turned out really cute, but you can't quite tell in the picture.







I made the cake. It wasn't quite what I envisioned, but it still looks pretty cute. Jackson loved it and kept saying "Cool car" and trying to eat the car cookies. I also made the car cookie suckers for everyone to take home.











For activities we had dinner and then everyone made a license plate. They could use up to seven letters and/or numbers and it had to be about Jackson. It was fun and everyone was so creative! Alex picked the winner which was Riley's that said "HT STFF." Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of Riley with his winning license plate.























Then Jackson openend presents! He loved opening his gifts. After opening one he would say, "And another one." He got VERY spoiled and loves everything he got! He has been playing all day with all of his fun new things. He got legos, a couple of movies, four new books, pajamas, an airplane, lots of hotwheels, a Lightening McQueen and Mater, some tractors, a Lightening McQueen pillow, a flashlight, and a candy bar poster! SPOILED!












After presents we sang Happy Birthday and served the cake. Jackson really tried to blow out the candle, but he just didn't blow quite hard enough :) But, he finally got it out with Dad's help! The only time Jackson was sad during his party was when I gave him some cake. I asked Kaitlin to take his shirt off so it wouldn't be covered and he lost it! He threw a major fit! But, he got over it once we gave him a car he could drive through the frosting! While we ate cake we played a video with pictures from the last year. Jackson loved it! The songs were I'm Yours by Jason Mraz, You've Got a Friend in Me, and Hey Soul Sister by Trane. He LOVES all of those songs and he danced through the whole video!









We also sang Happy Birthday to Riley. It was actually his birthday (wasn't he nice to celebrate it at my baby's party :). He just got his mission call to Detroit Michigan so I made him a missionary nametag cake. He thought it was pretty awesome (it really isn't that great-I made it at midnight following a night at work, so I was pretty tired).



The party was a definite success! Jackson really seemed to have fun. I am so grateful to all of my wonderful family for coming and celebrating with us. Jackson's two year well child check-up is tomorrow so stay tuned for that!

Grandpa's 90th Birthday!

My amazing Grandpa Petersen turned 90 years old on September 12. We had a big family party for him and it was so great! The cousins had a separate lunch while my Grandpa went to lunch with his kids and their spouses. I was in charge of the cousin lunch. We had some yummy food and then set up for the big party. After lunch we combined the two parties. We had a nice program for my Grandpa. There were several musical numbers and some nice tributes. Grandpa pretty much cried through most of it! My cousin Nick was the MC and did a great job (sadly he is about the only person in the program I didn't get a picture of)! After the program we had cake and punch and took pictures. That evening my Aunt Bobbie had a barbeque at her house. Both parties were so much fun! I have the best family and love spending time with them. We had about 120 people come which was awesome!
My grandpa is amazing! He loves all of us so much and is always proud of what we accomplish. He has always supported me in everything. He was at my baptism, many drill team performances, my high school graduation, my wedding, Jackson's baby blessing, and many more events! I feel so lucky to say that he has been so involved in my life. Some of my favorite memories of him are playing Scrabble (he is really good and always wins:), making me dinosaur shaped pancakes, feeding his horses, and watching Jazz games with him. I love him so much and am thankful for the wonderful example he is.


Jackson and Amelia at the party


Jackson


Sam and Me at the party


The little set-up


The cake


My cousin Chelsea made this amazing book. It is full of my grandpa's life history. My Aunt Val and cousin Jeff read some memories that my Grandpa's kids wrote in the book.


My Uncles (David, Brent, and Richard) sang 'I Walk the Line.'


Aunt Chris shared a tribute she wrote


All of the granddaughters sang 'Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good ol' Days'


Jackson during the program


Robert sharing one of my grandpa's favorite poems, Invictus


My Grandpa reciting the poem, I used to Shoot Birds


Heather and Derek singing and Derek playing guitar


We had a couple of contests that my Grandpa has always had us do. First was a headstand contest. Second was guessing how much money was in his pocket. Each of the kids lined up and guessed and the winner got the money. My cousin's little boy Brody won $3.10(he is 3). His dad wasn't there and when he called him he said, "Dad! I won 50 bucks!" So cute :)


The Great-Grandkids sang a song


Uncle Richard read a tribute he wrote


My family with Grandma and Grandpa (Jackson fell in some thorns that got all over his shirt, so that is why he is shirtless :)


All of the girls in the family-Val, Sue, Chris, JoRae, Bobbie, and Jill


The whole family-Front Row: Chris, Sue, JoRae, Bobbie, Val Back Row: Richard, Jill, Brent, David


Grandpa with his cake