birthday bash x2

today we celebrated eleanore and claire turning 1! after church they took quick naps and the guests arrived. then bill went in and woke claire up and sent her out to great her guests. her response was fantastic. she stood still for a bit and then started walking faster and faster to greet everyone. I didn’t quite capture her excitement, but it is still cute.

this one is blurry but it shows her joy.

claire greeting her guests.

then came eleanore. she was a bit stunned at first.

then got excited.

the cakes. claire had the butterfly and ellie had the ladybug. it was so sweet when charlie got up and saw the cakes, balloons, etc he said "oh wow! it is so beautiful!". it melted my heart.

I frosted the cakes on friday night and saturday. they turned out pretty cute. me in action.

here are the close ups.

back to the party. pappy with eleanore the birthday girl and paul.

bill stocked up on beer for the party and found the perfect combo for our party.

claire was so determined to get a beer herself.

we ate delicious food from famey davey (thanks laura for bringing it down!).

the girls opened their presents with the help of pappy and daddy (and charlie of course!).

I had to be on paper police duty. give the girls a second and they will eat chunks of wrapping or tissue paper faster than you can grab it.

claire taking in her new beach towel from nana and g.pops. the girls got tons of cute clothes and swimsuits.

dotes, elliot and bubba watching and getting sun scorched.

margit and elliot hanging out.

mikel

laura and tom gave the girls this sweet bedtime prayer book.

sweet paul  (9 months) and his daddy – pete.

cake time! claire – not too sure what to think.

ellie enjoying the extra attention.

claire warming up to the idea of everyone starring at her. we sang a song to claire and then to ellie and by the end they were loving it.

a really lame picture of me cutting the cake.

claire going for her first bite.

ellie, on the other hand, decided to assess the situation and textures first.

claire – grabbing fist fulls to squish between her fingers.

delighted.

ellie continued to assess the frosting.

I had to put a little on her lips. we decided she looked like a geisha.

claire continued to dig in.

ellie was really not sure.

ellie started to dig in a bit more and then decided to start rubbing the frosting into her hair. happy girl!

oh – prabee!

I had the bath running so out they went from the chairs to bath. claire was happy to be out with dad!

after baths they played for a bit with their guests. auntie dotes spotted claire’s violet colored buggers. of course bill had to record it.

the party was a blast. thanks to our family and friends who showered our girls with gifts and love and helped us celebrate this big milestone! happy birthday eleanore and claire! we love you!