ava turns 7...

i'm not sure exactly how it happened, but one morning i woke up and ava was 7!  seriously.  time.stop.now.

 i took the day off of work so we could spend her birthday together.  she woke up and said she couldn't wait to see what her "special birthday breakfast" was. um, what? she proceeded to tell me that every year she has a special birthday breakfast. um, okay, sister. so donuts it was! ha! we went shopping and had lunch, and then came home to get ready for her little birthday party.  we kept it really simple this year with a family-only gathering because we were leaving for destin the next week, and wanted to keep it small. 

the birthday girl.  she woke up and said she couldn't wait to see what her "special birthday breakfast" was.  um, what?  she proceeded to tell me that every year she has a special birthday breakfast. um, okay, sister.  so donuts it was! ha!

she got some great presents.  favorite this year was hands down the ben 10 ds game from her aunt sarah, uncle brad, and preston.  she was super excited because we had told her that it was sold out everywhere, and that she shouldn't be disappointed when she opened her presents and didn't get it.  priceless :)

then it was time to sing happy birthday and make a little wish...



and of course, eat some cupcakes!

no emerson gathering would be complete without the mandatory family photos.  this first photo definitely captures what really goes on behind the lens, followed by the picture that would normally be posted.  gotta love reality :)

happy 7th birthday, ava!

down on preston's farm [a birthday party post]...

on saturday, april 21 we celebrated the little mister turning two!  sarah found the sweetest barnyard invites on etsy, and the rest was history!  she got the banner, cupcake toppers, door sign and table signs from etsy too.  i thought the colors were perfect.  guests came decked out in their western wear, and there was even a petting zoo for everyone to enjoy!  it was the perfect day to celebrate a perfect two year old!

some of the fun decor

the cutest little cowboy i've ever seen!

some candid and posed shots of the guests :)

preston kept trying to bust into his presents before it was time, and aunt britt and i might have helped a little [and in true two year old fashion, he was over presents once it was time to really open them! ha!]

the cutest texans ever...love these two crazy kiddos!

me and my girl, and my girl with aunt sarah. love these two crazy girls :)

the birthday boy and his cupcake :)

so fun!  happy second birthday preston robert!

splish, splash, a birthday bash...

for the big birthday bash, we went low-key this year and hosted a swim party for ava's friends and family at the apartment.  it was hot, but so much fun!

as far as decor goes, we kept that pretty low-key too. hot dogs & cupcakes were served, and pool noodles & squirt guns were given as favors :)

a majority of the party-goers spent time in the pool,

while the boys manned the grill [a big thank you to brad, who handled most of the cooking!]

sweet girl got so many wonderful gifts, but she was ECSTATIC about her new DS from nana & papa!  the proof is in the pictures...just look at that face!

preston wanted in on the present action too :)

finally, it was time to eat [cup] cake!  ava is not a cake eater, but she insisted on one this year!

here she is taking one of two total bites ;) 

preston, on the other hand, was in love :)

it was a great party filled with family, friends & fun!