Payton's 1st Birthday Party!

Payton walking into her party!

Payton's 1st birthday party was a lot of fun! We held her party at the Princess Tea Room in the middle of Centerville. I knew when I went looking for a venue it was the perfect spot. Everything was so cute/girly! :) It was great getting our immediate family together to celebrate Payton's 1st year! She had a great time interacting with family, opening gifts, and eating her cupcake!

Surprisingly, for many of you who've seen Payton eat, she choose not to shovel the whole entire cupcake in her mouth all at one time. Instead she so delicately picked off the icing (aka, the good part) and left the cake for the trash. It was fun to watch! I know I'm a little OCD at times, but I really wanted to stand back, enjoy the moment and let Payton eat her cupcake without me freaking out about it getting all over herself...all in all, I think I did a great job!

Anyway, decorating for her 1st party was more fun than I had imagined. I started out with the Minnie Mouse theme and ran with it! Everything I saw online, I thought "I can do that!"...and that's what I did! Most of the decorations I made...from the water bottle labels...to the Minnie Payton ornaments...to the custom DVD's for each of the grandparent...to the cupcakes! I wanted to do it all, just to make Payton's 1st birthday party EXTRA special for her!

I love my little Minnie - Payton! :)


Cupcake Tower


Personalized water bottles

Minnie Mouse ornaments

Table Setting

Birthday Dinner w/ Payton @ Bravo's

Ready for dinner!

Last night, to conclude Payton's 1 birthday we took her to Bravo's for dinner. She was tired (as she only took a one hour nap during the day), but we still had a great time and she was in good spirits!


Payton & Daddy


Just chillin'!

Payton has been fighting me tooth and nail about keeping her hair bow in her hair, so my new obsession...headbands!!! Since she shockingly kept her Minnie Mouse ears on throughout her entire birthday party I thought maybe she doesn't mind them?! So, I need to get more of them (like in EVERY color - LOL!) Hey, a girl's got to accessorize, right?! :)

Btw, if anyone knows where I can find some cute headbands (so I can decorate them) let me know!!! :)

A "Friendly" Birthday Lunch

Friendly's Cone Head Sundae

Today Dave & I surprised Payton and took her out for a special birthday lunch. Dave & I brainstormed on the perfect place to take her...we ended up at Friendly's! I mean who doesn't love mac & cheese, veggies and a "cone head" sundae?! :)

Dave & I always ordered cone head sundaes as kids so it only seemed appropriate we order three for each of us. Since they're only on the kids menu we told our waitress that Payton would like three of them - LOL! One original, one with peanut butter (for me) and one cone head with peanut butter and extra Reece Pieces (for Dave)!

I know this will come as a shocker to many of you, but Payton LOVED the ice cream...it was a great family lunch just in honor of our little 1 year old! :)

Payton getting ready to dive into her cone head sundae!

Minnie Mouse Par-ty!

Payton's 1st birthday is quickly approaching, so needless to say I've been in over-drive planning her party. Since Payton is such a HUGE Minnie Mouse fan, it only made sense to throw her a Minnie Mouse 1st birthday party!

I just wrapped up creating, designing and printing her invites. I'm really proud of them, especially b/c the quality of my new printer the Epson 810 is incredible!

Stay tuned for more of my Minnie Mouse party ideas! :)

The Davis Sister's, TJ & Rubio

(L-R) Jen Davis, Payton, Me & Melissa Mucha

Dave & I love the holidays, but not just because of spending time with family and eating unlimited amounts of food (although that's great too) but also b/c it's really the only time of year we get to see our old friends who've moved far, far away. This year we've been graced with the Davis sisters (as Mel D will always be in my heart), TJ & Rubio (and can't leave out Woody from a few weeks ago).

It's been fun catching up/hanging out with everyone! I'm SO happy they all made such a big effort not only to visit Dave & I, but to get to meet/know Payton!


Payton & Rob Rubio


Payton & Jennifer Davis

TJ, Payton & Melissa Mucha

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009

Payton's 1st Christmas was SO much fun! A lot of people told us not to spend much money or buy her many gifts b/c she wouldn't really understand. Wow, were those people WAY wrong. Honestly, I was amazed at how awesome Payton did at opening her gifts. It was so cool for Dave & I to see the excitement in her eyes (especially is she opened something that made music or lite up)!

Thank you to everyone for all the thoughtful gifts and who made Payton's 1st Christmas so special! The best gift of all though was the one that arrived WAY before Christmas on Jan. 12 of this year. I LOVED my first Christmas as a Mum Mum - as Payton calls me!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!


Payton very thoroughly unwrapping a gift


Lovin' her Little Mermaid Bike

Pink Radio Flyer Tricycle (it's ADORABLE)!!!

Dreaming of a White Christmas!

Snowing at 5:30 a.m.

Although Payton's first snow day didn't snow enough to go out, play in it and make a snowman we're hopeful that we at least have one of these days this winter! Stay tuned.