Nina's 4th Birthday Parties

This past Sunday Nina turned FOUR! She has turned into such a kind, smart and hilarious little lady. She's growing up before my very eyes and I couldn't be more proud of her. :) To celebrate her big day this year, I included her in on the plans and execution! She helped me with everything which was so much fun! Here are lots of photos from her celebrations!!

For her Montessori school, she wanted to bring in vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting and sprinkles for her birthday treat. Here she is in her pajamas helping me put on the finishing touches. :)

On Saturday, we had 5 of her friends from school over. She'd asked for a "friend birthday party" so I figured why not? She's been to two "friend" parties so far, so I knew this stage was coming. :) I asked what kind of party she wanted and her reply was face painting?! Umm, ok. She's never had her face painted but I figured we'd go with it. Ironically, we ended up painting her arm and cheek, but close enough!

Here are the decorations she made. Super simple this year - some hanging things from Hobby Lobby and bunting I cut from construction paper that she colored in. :)

For the friend party, we purchased cupcakes from Baked MKE at our local farmer's market that morning. They are so delish and since I only needed 6 it was perfect to support a local business! :)

To prepare for the party, Nina made goodie bags. She wrote each friends name and decorated the bags with stamps. We filled each bag with a notepad, cute pencil, ring, Lip Smackers and an art activity we worked on at the party.

Here are some of the girls face (ahem body!!) painting. Cute, right?? :) Luckily my mom is totally artsy and came over to help!

So adorable. This was the best photo I could get of these girls, but they were so fun!!

On Sunday, we went to church for Nina's first Sunday School time and then came home to get ready for our "family" party. Nina was so excited to have three celebrations - school, friends and family! :) 

Here are the cousins who got their faces painted on Sunday. We figure we had the supplies so my mom got to paint again! :)

It's always crazy when all the cousins and family come together! So many kiddos but SO much cuteness!!

I have to end with this photo. First - do you not LOVE Nina's excited face?? Second - do you love that this gift bag says HOORAY!!! I mean seriously, Hooray Mail. Too good! Thanks Aunt Chris!

Happy 4th birthday sweet Nina Lorraine. You made me a mama and I couldn't be more proud or honored to raise this thoughtful, considerate, kind and smart girl. I love watching her love Mae - her sistering skills are beyond measure. And I think she loves her daddy almost as much as I do... :) Can't wait to see what the next year brings. :)

Nina's 2nd Birthday Photo Shoot

Nina turned two on September 13! As we do every year, we turned to McManigal Photography to help us out! I just LOVE how they turned out. I may be biased, but isn't she seriously the cutest thing ever?? :)

p.s. Here are photos from Nina's 1st birthday photo shoot!

Nina's 2nd Birthday Party

For Nina's 2nd birthday party, we celebrated with a small gathering of family! I decided to go with a Mexican Fiesta theme. Who doesn't like that? :) Everyone came over last Thursday night after work, we ate, had cake, opened presents, Nina and Evelyn played... life was good for that little sweetheart. 

Read on for details. Happy 2nd Birthday Nina!

I found this free printable "Fiesta" banner here.

We ate inside because it was dreary and rainy outside. Oh well! :)

Menu included: Coronas, Lemonade, Taco meat, shells, fresh homemade salsa, corn casserole, Pioneer Woman's Mexican rice casserole, fruit, chips, and toppings.

Nina and Evelyn always have SO much fun together!

I got this little fiesta party hat for the birthday girl at a local party store. Hehe!

Her birthday dessert was a Texas Sheet Cake... the recipe is from my MIL. Yum!

Nina got a bath Barbie and Sofia the First dress that she loved. Thanks Uncle Mike and Aunt Kala! She also loved her other cards and presents!!

P.S. Here is her 1st birthday party!!! I loved planning that one!

Two Years

My little munchkin turns 2 today. T-w-o... can you believe it?

Remember when she was born? Sweet little Nina cakes.

Remember her month-by-month photos from her first year? Oh how she's grown. :) See below for the most recent installment.

My heart swells with pride today (to be her mother and watch her grow) and with joy (to witness the funny, smart and kind girl she is becoming). I count my blessings each and every day.

I love you to the milky way, Nina Lorraine Evans.

P.S. These pictures were much easier when she was a baby! :)
P.P.S. Her shirt is from here.

Nina's First Birthday Photo Shoot

Around Nina's first birthday we had photos taken. I just loved how they turned out. My how she has grown! Remember her newborn photos here?

Enjoy!

All photos taken by McManigal Photography

Twelve months! Nina is One!

My baby is one today. Actually, it's official at 4:45 pm, but who's counting? I have to say, today is bittersweet. It's hard to watch my baby girl grow so quickly before my eyes, but I am excited for all that is to come.

I've decided today's post will be short. Can I really smoosh my emotions and thoughts about her twelve precious months into succinct words? Probably not. I'm getting a bit weepy thinking about it. However, I'm working on a project I hope to share with you (whomever my readers are). Stay tuned.

Happy birthday beautiful Nina. We love you.

Here's a synopsis of Nina's month-by-month photos... Enjoy!

I think this last photo says it all. Here we go! Keep up with me mommy and daddy! I'm afraid she's inherited the energy, spunk and determination of her daddy and I. :)