Birthday Bash

I think Alex would have to agree that she had a pretty great First Birthday. It really started on Thursday night when my mom and step dad flew in. Alex got to spend all day Friday with them, and of course they soaked up every second! I took a 1/2 day on Friday and spent the afternoon making cupcakes like a mad woman. I had decided to make vanilla banana ones for Alex because I wasn't quite ready to let her dive into chocolate or anything too sugary (I know, I'm a mean mom). But I also made chocolate ones with a chocolate chip and cream cheese filling. In all I baked and decorated 42 full size cupcakes and 48 mini cupcakes. It was a lot of fun prepping for the party. We didn't go overboard with decorations but I did make a birthday banner that had all 12 of Alex's monthly photos on it...we took the final one on Friday so I could have month #12.

Saturday was filled with some last minute preparations in the morning. A little before noon my Aunt Nancy, Uncle Clark, cousin Becca and Grandma all arrived from Scotia. It was so great to have them make the trip out to join us! And around 1pm all the other guests started arriving. In all I think we had about 30 people come by. Alex got some wonderful gifts, including books, a few toys and some clothes. She didn't end up making too much of a mess with her cupcake, she was really more interested in playing with it then eating it.

By the end we had one tired out birthday girl and a few tired out adults! We ended the day by having dinner with the Scotia crew before they headed home, and then I think we all headed to bed early. Here are a few pictures from the day:

The Spread

12 months of Alex

Having fun opening gifts

A tricycle from mommy & daddy that will grow with her

Cake!

Playing with the party guests