Cameron & Ashley's Corn Maze Birthday Party

At The Denver Botanical Gardens at Chatfield.

GREAT friends.

PERFECT weather.

The kids snacked on yummy fall themed trailmix (corn chex, candy corn, indian candy corn, popcorn, pretzels, Reese's pieces and chocolate chips that melted and made it taste even better).

Everyone had a buddy so no one got lost.

(Well not for very long anyways...my niece Rylee was lost for a brief moment in the kid maze.)

We made it out of the maze in just over an hour...not bad!

Then the kids got to make cute fall crafts and eat Owl cupcakes in a 100 year old One Room School House...it was pretty cool.

Ashley opening presents from thoughtful friends.

One look at the expression on Abby's face (below) and you can see it was a very fun birthday party.

I know by now you're asking....wasn't this a combined party for Cameron and Ashley? Why yes it was but why are there sooo many pictures of the girls and hardly any of the boys...well frankly...10 year old boys are very talented at avoiding being captured in photographs.

Trust me I tried!

Here is the one time I caught Cameron sitting still long enough to document that he was even at the party! I was told he had a GREAT time.

Most of the kids took turns letting me take their cute witchy picture like Ashley's below.

(Of course a majority of the boys opted out of this one).

Oh yeah...did I mention Zach was there too.

I was beyond thrilled when he let me take this picture!

Birthday Party Prep.

Since Cameron and Ashley's birthday was going to be at the Corn Maze this year we decided that a fall theme would be perfect for the party. I found the idea for these adorable Owl cupcakes on a blog and they were so easy. John was our designated Oreo twister.

Crazy Owl Cupcakes

We made vanilla and chocolate versions.

Whoooo are you looking at? (hahaha)

Ashley of course had to dress the part. We found this stylish fall/barn dance inspired belted shirt. It's hard to see but it even has rinestones on the top part. She ended up knotting the bottom of the shirt, then used the belt as a headband.

So clever and so cute!

Happy 10th Birthday to Cameron!

Yahoo DOUBLE DIGITS!!!

Cameron's birthday isn't officially until Wednesday but due to the crazy week we have in store, we decided to celebrate it a few days early. Cameron requested dinner at his favorite spot, Red Robin. As well as a very chocolaty cake with chocolate frosting and blue writing...and that's what he got.

Ashley and Cameron helped with the decorating and insisted on using every icing tip we have. Cameron loved his cake because he said it looked all deconstructed...I think that might be a complement?

We enjoyed the yummy cake while playing a few rounds of Apples to Apples...which is always very entertaining with our family.

Cameron's other request was no new clothes for his birthday, he's such a BOY. We surprised him with a new teenage styled bed set with black sheets and a black & gray checked comforter, so very cool and technically not clothes...right?

He really liked it but looked a little bummed...that was until he noticed the little wrapped gift that had been sitting on the mantle...a new Nintendo DSi. I don't think he's put the thing down since. All in all it was a really great day!

Cameron and Ashley are having a combined birthday party next Sunday at the Chatfield Corn Maze...at least 20 kids getting lost in a corn field...stay tuned for pictures of the craziness!

Happy Birthday to my Smashley!!

Wow!! I can't believe my baby girl is 9 years old.

Ashley insisted on a full birthday weekend which started Friday night with a trip to Petsmart for some new toys for Lily (who was her early b-day present).

Saturday I took Ash and Cam to open gym at gymnastics. Then Saturday night our whole family packed up and headed over to Sandy and Toney's for a little Mexican fiesta! Rockband, yummy food and at least 20 kids running around in the back yard...it was a SUPER fun night!

Sunday night (after John got home from work) we had a little birthday celebration with cake, ice cream and a few rounds of our favorite board games.

For her actual birthday (which was Monday) all she wanted was to spend a few hours at the neighborhood pool...my kind of girl. Bridget came along too and then after the pool the two girls spent the rest of the afternoon doing gymnastics in our front yard. They even made up a great floor exercise routine with music and everything!

Cameron had fun as well and must have done the water slides at least 50 times.
I was so relaxed and fully enjoying the beautiful day that I ended up falling asleep in my chair (not on purpose) and during my little nap I got a wee bit toasted...but only on one side of my body...nice!!

Happy Birthday to my Nanny!!

My Nanny (aka Clara Ewton)

My Nanny is my most loyal blog follower.

So what better way to celebrate her special day than a post dedicated to her!

Nanny you are such an amazing woman and I am so blessed to have you in my life. You're in almost every one of my most favorite childhood memories.

The Tiki house, surf shops in Galveston, kitty cat sheets on the sofa, Stewart Beach, The Wizard of Oz, banana pudding in the red Tupperware, spinning around in the rattan chairs and washing my hair outside with strawberry Suave shampoo...just to name a few.

The best part is...I know my kids have their own collection of happy memories from you too.

I love you, miss living close to you and can't wait to see you in November!

Hope you have a fabulous birthday!!!

( I made the writing REALLY big so it's easy for you to read. hehehe)