I wanted to post some pictures from Henry’s birthday party Friday evening. He had a double birthday party with our friends (Ross and Tessa’s) daughter, Chloe, who turned a year old on August first. It was a very laid-back affair. My family didn’t celebrate holidays or birthdays when I was a kid, and I think that’s the reason why I am TERRIBLE at planning birthday parties. Friday night was so nice. We just invited close friends and family to come hang out at the beach with us and eat cake and play in the water and celebrate two sweet little lives. There was hardly any prep work and zero stress — and I hit the photo-opportunistic jackpot with amazing lighting and adorable kiddos everywhere! What a great party. :0) Maybe I’ll go big for his third birthday. And then again, maybe not…
I’m sure these photos are destined to be developed and subsequently stashed in the “if I ever decide to start scrapbooking, these would make a great page!” pile on my desk… Terrible, I know. Hey, at least I’m blogging the pictures, right? It’s a stab at preserving them for posterity!
Our kids love the river. Being the laid-back (read: forgetful) parent that I am, I completely spaced the swimsuits. Oh, well. Thankfully I DID pack a spare change of clothes because Jo waded in up to her waist trying to catch minnows with the cousins. (I was secretly delighted by her new-found bravery!)
Chasing after minuscule fish is apparently BIG TIME fun!
Henry’s trying to figure out where all the minnows in his bucket went!! 🙂
Here’s the birthday girl, Chloe, with her dad. She was very gracious to share her first birthday party with a boy. However, she didn’t give me one. single. smile all night! Too overwhelmed by kids, sun and sand, I think.
Okay, this next shot has to be one of my all-time favorite pictures of my nephew, Hunter. You’d have to know Hunter to appreciate it. He is SUCH a lovable, mischievous character! He was goofing around sticking his face down near the water and a big ol’ wave surprised him and splashed water up his nose.
Hunter, we love you.
I snapped a shot of Ryan and Peter taking a break from all the birthday-ness to solve a few of the world’s problems…
…and here’s my beautiful (preggers) best friend enjoying the sun.
Tessa made a cake for each of the kids and they approached the task at hand from two different angles…
Henry obliged Peter with one bite of his cake sans silverware, and then waited patiently for a utensil. “C’mon, Dad, I’m not a baby anymore!!!”
“THAT’s more like it!!”
Chloe, on the other hand, was all about the fingers.
Such cuteness…
Okay, okay… I know this is getting long. Only a couple more, I promise! 🙂 I love this shot of Joanna because she deliberately took her cake over to this spot to eat overlooking the water. It made me feel very, very old to have a kid mature enough to enjoy sitting and watching the waves contemplatively while eating dessert.
And finally, the gorgeous sunset that set the lake on fire. The picture doesn’t do it justice — it was amazing.
11 comments
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August 5, 2008 at 3:49 am
Mandy
Those pictures are amazing! They look like they belong in a magazine or a coffee table book. Truly spectacular!
August 5, 2008 at 4:18 am
Debbie
Forget it. I can’t pick my favorite. They are ALL sublime. You inspire me for my sister’s wedding this weekend. I hope I get HALF as many good shots as you did!
And as a Creative Memories consultant, I can’t help but nod understandingly at the scrapbooking dilemma (you are FAR from alone). But here’s an idea – DON’T PRINT THOSE PHOTOS! Make a digital storybook instead! All you need is your computer. There are no supplies to drag out and fuss over. http://tinyurl.com/6gf2b8
Thanks for posting and sharing those fantastic pictures and your personal stories. I’ve really enjoyed learning about your family this year.
August 5, 2008 at 6:21 am
Rusty&Jamie
My mom made a huge deal out of bdays, so I try to keep ours low key. Why stress it’s suppose to be a celebration! Playing in the water with friends and family plus cake, it doesn’t get better then that. Looks like everyone had a great time.
Jamie
August 5, 2008 at 6:38 am
chris
Happy Birthday Henry!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures of you two that Jamie took. You look gorgeous in all of them and Jamie did such a great job with catching the romance and mood. I have so many favorites I can’t pick which is my favorite. What great pictures to frame and have around your house. If your house is anything like mine there are no couples pictures and just the kids and a couple of family shots.
Love,
Chris
August 6, 2008 at 1:18 am
Debbie
I wanted you to know that I’ve nominated you for this month’s “One Sweet Shot” over at Shutter Sisters (http://shuttersisters.com/one-sweet-shot/). I had to pick one shot after all, so I picked the one of your nephew! I was going to copy you in on the nomination email, but I realized that I don’t have your email address and I’m not even sure of your first name (probably because I have mommy brain right now because of the wedding). Anyway – thanks for sharing these sweet shots!
August 6, 2008 at 5:42 am
Anne
WOW!! These are gorgeous photos – of course I have to give the kids alot of the credit 😉 And this was a perfect birthday party, PERFECT!!
August 7, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Steffany
I love your photos, each one has such a wonderful story to tell.
There is so much soul and beauty in your family
August 10, 2008 at 7:29 am
Terri
Love them all
Followed the link from Shutter Sisters OSS.
August 10, 2008 at 10:16 am
cloudscome
Beautiful pictures and adorable kids! I came here from Shutter Sisters and I’ll be back.
August 10, 2008 at 2:59 pm
claudia
Shot #8 is a great capture, and the others are all beautiful as well!
Seen on Shutter Sisters
August 11, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Brandi
Love them!!! I love Jo sitting by the lake. . how adorable is she?!
Love you!
Bran