Owen's 1st Birthday

On Saturday, May 2nd I woke up to a flurry of emotions. My baby boy, my last baby, was no longer a baby. The past year just seemed like a blur! I'm so excited about the future but it is so hard to let go of those baby days. I finally had to snap out of it because it was PARTY TIME!!

We had a small gathering with family and a few close friends on Poppy & Gigi's porch. As expected (since it has rained EVERY year for at least the past 9 years on the first weekend in May) it did rain but that didn't dampen our outdoor party one bit. Gigi's porch was just beautiful with all her gorgeous flowers. It was the perfect setting.


Amanda Berkstresser from Cakes by Frankie (Frankie's daughter) did the cakes. They were very yummy!


I think Owen was excited the day of his birthday. We would chant "It's your birthday! It's your birthday!" and he would smile real big and just dance. It was so precious! I love his birthday hat but he was not particularly fond of it.


We had a great turnout for a rainy Saturday morning. As most of you know I LOVE group shots so of course it was a must have for this party too! :)




Owen LOVED his cake and actually wanted to eat the candle too if I would have let him! He was a little apprehensive at first but quickly learned how to dig in!




Ruthie even got in on the action when Owen tossed the cake plate on the floor!


After the rain stopped Owen and my Dad had a great time playing in the rain drops falling from the roof. They would fall on Owen's face and he would just bust out laughing. It was the funniest thing!


After most folks had left and during clean up we decided to let the kids "send the balloons to Jesus" (as John Matson would say!). They loved it! Owen, Katelyn, and Thomas were all so fascinated watching the balloons float off into the sky.


Suzanne Williams was the official photographer of the day and her images are just absolutely priceless! Of course I couldn't resist getting in a few shots before and after but I can't tell you what a wonderful thing it is to have someone else documenting the day so you can really enjoy the party. Don't spare the expense and just do it!! Even 9 months pregnant she was all over the place snapping away.

I am so thankful for her friendship! It looks like we will both have 2 May babies since Baby Anna is scheduled for May 27th. Her first daugther, Ella, was born on May 6th. Believe it or not she is still planning to help me with Katelyn's party on May 24th!! She said Baby Anna was not allowed to come until after Memorial Day weekend was over. :) I guess we'll both have to take off the month of May each year just to keep up with each other's birthday parties!

Say a little prayer for me as I have accepted the awesome opportunity to photograph Baby Anna's birth next week! I am so excited but so very nervous too! I pray that my nerves will stay calm and I can be there in plenty of time.

The rest of the images are HERE and HERE.