Madalyn's 1st Birthday

Last Friday was my niece's first birthday. Jackson, Allison and I traveled to Houston to be at her party on Saturday. Meredith and Ryan hosted a sweet cupcake party for their precious daughter. Everything was fantastic. I took photos of the day {and had a lot of lighting issues} but I think I got a few that turned out alright. {I desperately need to take a photography class!} I'll tell the day in photos. {And I just realized that I didn't fix the red-eye in any of the photos and I've already uploaded them. Oh well! But that doesn't mean I like it.}

My mom and dad, Jackson, Allison and I got there early to help decorate and set-up. I am not a decorator by any means. Give me fruit to cut up and food to set out, but decorate? Not a good idea. Thankfully, Meredith and Ryan had most of it done. I mainly had to hang balloons and put cupcakes and napkins on the table. Not too difficult!

The food table - they served Brats and hotdogs, potato salad, chips, and fruit. The Cheddar Jalapeno Brats were delicious. Ryan is a grill master and cooker of all meats.

The cake table:

Meredith had an experience similar to mine on Jackson's first birthday. His first birthday was before my blogging days. Would you believe me if I told you his final cake was #7 of 7 attempts?! Meredith didn't have to let it go that far. She stopped at 4. She had the most adorable cupcake cake pan. The only problem...the cake was so thick it would not cook in the middle...even after a few different recipes. I think she did a great job the morning of the party turning out this cake:

Aren't mommy's the best? She did everything she could to make her baby girl's first birthday super special.

Daddy and his birthday girl:

I love this photo of Meredith. She's so beautiful. Both of my sisters are so beautiful and photogenic.

Tiffany and her hubby Jonathan were the first guests to arrive. They are a PRECIOUS couple!

Danna, one of Meredith's greatest friends and the funniest girl I know:

Grammie and her girl:

PaPa, Grammie and Madalyn:

Allison has a serious case of the Mommy syndrome. She wouldn't let anyone hold her the entire weekend...EXCEPT Melissa. It was so strange. She even went to Melissa from me one time. It didn't last long, but she was actually happy with Melissa. Maybe we smell alike?

Meredith and her two friends, Renee and Danna:

These two LOVE each other. They formed some kind of bond and it's intense excitement whenever they see each other. When Dawson saw Jackson for the first time, he exclaimed with cupped hands on Jackson's face, "My Jackson!"

Here comes the cake:

Happy Birthday sweet girl! Your Aunt Adrienne loves you to pieces!!

Her first touch:

And her first taste:

Yum, yum!

She needed to get after it with a fork:

A very happy family:

Grammie cut the cake:

These boys waited very patiently for cupcakes:

Proof that she liked her cake:

Yay!!

Someone was getting tired from all of the festivities:

Time for presents:

Melt my heart:

This sweet and generous family is the reason our girls have clothes. Jeff and Randi give us all of Alyssa's clothes once she's outgrown them. Meredith gets them first and then passes them down to me for Allison. They have been a huge blessing to us!

I was so happy to see my dad's sister, our Aunt Sharon. {They're pretending Madalyn is in the photo.}

Cousins! Clint {my Aunt Sharon's son} and his wife Amber. We were just missing Jennifer {Clint's sister} and Ronald.

And just because I love her so:

We had a great time celebrating Madalyn's special day. Meredith and Ryan, thank you so much for a wonderful party!! We love you!! Ronald and Christy, we missed you!!