Long time no see!  How are you all doing?  I have missed you...

We just returned from a MUCH needed vacation to the Sunshine Coast here in B.C. It was Alexander's first trip on a a ferry boat and to the beach/ocean.  He is a total Beach Boy.  Here he is dressed up as the captain he is!  The picture quality is meh as it is an Instagram shot...

So many things have been happening and yet, not a heckuva lot either. We are doing some really amazing improvements to our front yard! THAT is exciting as this will be our 4th year in our home come November, so so overdue it hurts. 

We are installing a river rock and flagstone path along the drive way for function and curb appeal.  We are tackling some edging and actually removing the grass and installing bark mulch instead.  I am not great at landscaping but my Mother in Law is, and her and my Father in Law have been a HUGE help.  We will be planting some flowers and shrubs as well. 

I have 2 unfinished adriondack chairs for the front and a bench I am sprucing up.  I am part way done the bench and will share it when I am finished that, hopefully this weekend if the wood gets cut.  I plan to decorate the yard with driftwood from out travels over the years to the Sunshine Coast and some other goodies.  It will feel so good if we finish it before the Summer's end.  Hard when one of us works rotating shifts! Not to mention with our lil helper! ;)

Hope you are all having a great Summer.  Been browsing your blogs-but have been neglecting mine. BIGTIME.  All I can do it try to be a better blogger!

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Alexander's 1st Birthday Party!

I have been planning A.J.'s first birthday celebration since late November.  Sock Monkey party fun!

I have really missed crafting and figured this would be a good excuse er, opportunity to craft until I was blue in the face.  Little did I know that would be quite literal ;)  I knew I wanted a cohesive, cute and fun look to the party.  What is more fun than sweet sock monkeys?

For Alexander's present we searched high and low for a shiny red Radio Flyer wagon.  Once we found it, party planning was in full swing!  I had seen pictures of wagons used as props on good ole pinterest and loved the idea.  I liked the idea of using it to corral a few birthday themed items at the front door. Too cute!

I have done a few posts on wreaths in the past and love how easy they are to include in current theme/seasonal decor.  So of course I needed to do a sock monkey wreath for AJ! 

Sweet multi-colored pompoms I made (on night shift as my patients slept!) and a bright letter "A" dressed this grapevine wreath up in a snap.  I added a Sock Monkey pennant made from a pdf file purchased from Etsy.  The shoppe I ordered from is exceptional and has wonderful customer service.  I was over the moon with all of her stuff!  Such a sweet detail upon entering the party house!

This was the entry table welcoming and thanking all AJ's guests for coming.  I did a party favor for the adult guests as well as adorable sock monkey themed loot bags for the kiddos.  They were a huge hit!

As mentioned for the grown ups, I put together this strata cookie mix in mason jars.  It was super fun putting all 21 together.  Not that I was counting! ;) 

I made vanilla and chocolate cupcakes and topped them off with adorable cupcake toppers from the same Etsy shop.  I bought various pdf files from her that all co-ordinated so beautifully!

My Aunt Liz made AJ's cake.  She is so talented and I was so happy with how this turned out.  AJ loved it! The cake was delish and it was super adorable.  See that adorable little banana? HA! That was the FIRST thing AJ grabbed!

I made these little sock monkey cookies at 11:00 pm the night before.  I admit they are a RUSH job.  But still turned out pretty good!  I was so organized with the party planning BUT underestimated the time we would need to set up!  We were up til 4:40 am the night leading up to the party!  Guest arrived for 12:00...I hopped in the shower at 11:50.  Swear it.

HA!  AJ's little finger print in the dots! He thought they were buttons to push! CUTE!

My little man having some cake! He just loved it!

Here is the birthday boy's party attire.  I ordered the adorable onsie from this Etsy store.  It was so so cute.  Best thing?   The cake stained all came out!

I had adorable sweet treats for the guest labelled with coordinating buffet signs.  Licorice, Tootsie pops, Swedish fish, Goldfish, Banana chips. There was chili, buns, and meat, cheese, fruit and veg.  Quite the spread!

Thank you for stopping by and looking at Alexander's first birthday pictures.  I must tell you, I was so busy and late getting ready, I did NOT have time to take pictures with my real camera.  I asked Josh to take some, and while they are good, they are not blog style and did not show the sweet details of the party decor.  I wish I had taken more.  So I am so sad they are iPhone pictures :( There was a sweet banner and so many cute balloons.  Oh well, that's life!

Have a happy day!

p.s. I plan on doing posts on the pompom wreath and the mason jar cookie mix :)

I linked up at:
Tatertots and Jello
Craft-O-Maniac
I Heart Naptime
Under The Table and Dreaming 
Project Inspire
A to zebra celebrations
FineCraftGuild
Clean and Scentsible

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Mish Mosh

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ok, yes, I know I am over due on this.  But I still want to wish you all a wonderful 2013. 
Resolutions? Yes, I have a few.  I am not entirely sure they are any different than last years really.
But I will share a few...
1)  Blog more
2)  Learn to use my beautful Nikon camera...well. (SARAH!!!!!!)
3)  Organize the house...this is proving to be a challenge.  Just seems no time with a busy near 12 month old!
4)  Continue to finish unfinished projects around the house...but to be fair, the huns has to help with these :)
5)  Show more gratitude and be more thankful.  In more tangible ways.

Just a few...kinda boring.   I am also focused on my little monkey.  I want to spend more time devoted to day trips and outtings as a family.  The aquarium and the zoo (if you can call it that) to name a few.  He is growing so fast, I feel like I am missing it.  Gotta spend more quality time. Darn work. 

That being said, I love my job.  Nursing is so fantastic.  I am happy to be back caring for my patients.  Man, I really did miss that.

I also want to take a moment to thank a few of my blog friends for some pretty awesome things.
Liz, thank you so so much for the art print you sent AJ for his first Birthday.  SO thoughtful and I love it.
Sarah, thank you so much for the impromptu camera lesson.  That was sweet :)

So there you have it, a mish mosh of thoughts.  No pictures, no crafts, no home decor.
Hope you are all well and healthy!

Love Me.

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