Eli's 1st Birthday Party

Because Eli's birthday fell on the holiday weekend (and will for most of his life probably), we decided we could either a) have the party a week early (the same weekend as the recital and be super busy, and have him in all sorts of pics with a 1 when he wasn't really one), or b) have his party one week later.  We chose the latter option. 

On June 3, we hosted around 70 of our closest family and friends at Zachary's Playground in Lake St. Louis.  There is a splashpad and a playground with a nice pavillion overlooking a lake with ducks and geese.  This is a beautiful park, and one of the best in St. Charles County in my opinion.  (I actually picked this park for Eli's bday party long before I was even pregnant with him.  I like it so much I vowed that if I ever had a summer baby, I'd try to get his first birthday party there.  Yeah for us getting it, especially during graduation season!  Every park with a large pavillion in the county was booked!  Hence having the party on a Sunday morning from 11-1.)

I think a big compliment was paid when Theresa Hampshire (Papa's sister) said she's like to move the family reunion to this park.  She's a very thorough person, so I thought it was a nice compliment of the facilities. 

Here are a few pictures from the big day:

All the kids had a great time in the splashpad area....well, all except Eli.  Since he was the guest of honor, he was too busy being passed around.  Sorry little man.

 

We started opening presents.  However, we were running out of time and had to save the rest for later.  We had to move on to cupcakes.  There was NO WAY I was going to take home 8 dozen cupcakes!

This is possibly my favorite present.  I will hang it on his wall for years.  No, this is NOT the model baby found in the store-bought frame.  This is MY baby.  He is so adorable!

Thank you Lindsay Weibye for taking such amazing pics. :)



Here was the cupcake cake still pretty nearly in tact.

We only rented the pavillion from 9-2, so we had to pack up in a hurry.  A few of us ended up back at our place.  Jenny & Mark, Memaw & Papa, & Uncle Craig.  After Brady & Reagan woke up from naps, Aunt Kristin brought them over and their BOUNCE HOUSE!  What a fantastic day.

This might be Ella's favorite present, a pirate ship water table.  She has named it the Jolly Roger.  Pictured here clockwise from left is Reagan, Brady, Ella, and Maycee.

Reagan and Ella attempted to make a sleepover out of the party, but after such a LONG day, there was not going to be any of that kind of business going on!  Nick & I were exhausted!

We had the perfect party in the perfect park with the perfect weather.  Did everything go perfectly?  Nope, of course not!  But it was such a good day.  I'm so happy to have this as a memory to keep my whole life. :)