Party Party Party.

Since our weekend was chock-full of parties, I'd better get documenting.

On Friday we made the drive to UT to help celebrate Wonderful Sweet Scarlett's first birthday.

The decorations were adorable.

Austin and Britt had taken pictures of Scarlett each month laying on/sitting on/standing next to her bear chair. It was so fun to see her development throughout the year. I especially love that last picture, where she refused to sit on the chair.
Oh yeah, her determined little personality is shining through!

NOTE: This display was initially a little less symmetrical, with another light pink flower next to the top left red one, BUT Magic Tape is NOT magic. Trust me. It's all we had to work with, but don't ever EVER buy Magic Tape in the future. Especially if you want your decor to stay put. I've learned over the years to put my trust in good ol' Scotch Tape (the shiny kind, although they've cheapened it by making it flimsier than it used to be), and the very best for banner-hanging, tissue-paper-flower-securing, and balloon stabilizing is PACKING TAPE. The little voice that told me to grab some before we headed to UT was shushed by the practical we-don't-have-that-much-room-in-the-car side of my brain. Next time I'll throw in a roll, just for good measure. 

The Syddall Greats came a little early to help with set-up. This beaming couple celebrated their 50th Anniversary the day before. Don't they look happy? I seriously love this pic.

The Birthday Girl was all smiles and ready to party.

Britt had planned a fun dinner of customized hot dogs and yummy sides.

 Since Scarlett is such a fan of Mickey Mouse, it fit the celebration perfectly.

I had to grab a pic of Britt's friend Brittney and her little guy Oliver.

And, since I'm such a throwback queen, I found a pic of the first time we met Brittney...

...taken from the Skyride at Lagoon, circa 2009.

Those girls had no idea they would be SAHMs (and still BFFs) a few years down the road.

I told Ashlyn she had chosen the best party to attend that evening.

Her little sis Michaela was having her grad party in Parker the same night.

Ashlyn (a whispered workaholic-bringing-home-some-bacon) politely said she couldn't miss work long enough to leave town.
{Sorry, Mic!}

We were so glad she came to help celebrate with us!

Grandma Judy made Scarlett's adorable cake AND her smash cake.

 Not only are those cakes beautiful, they are supa delicious. Strawberry swirl.

I don't know how Grandma Judy gets her awesome flavors and amazing texture, but I was told (by a close family member whose name starts with A) that she most likely won't reveal her ancient Chinese secret. I guess I'll just have to frequent Anderson parties to enjoy her cake! YUM!

Let's get this party started!

Grandpa Billy BBQed the hot dogs... done to perfection, as usual.

After dinner, Britta thought Scarlett might handle the emotions surrounding a-crowd-of-people-acting-like-paparazzi-wanting-to-touch-and-hold-her-getting-in-her-personal-space (what's not to like, right?) better if she had her smash cake before opening gifts.

Once the crowd gathered, a rousing song of Happy Birthday began.

Scarlett cried.

She did NOT want all those people singing loudly in her direction, and she had no idea what to do with that enormous cake Little Mama put on her tray.

Then Little Mama gave her a taste.

That cheered her up a little, but she was still somewhat wary.

A spoon helped her dig into her cake a little bit more.

 But then she decided that the tissue flower and balloon by her chair were more interesting.

(See all that UN-Magic Tape?)

The aftermath.

Little Mama was similarly timid with her cake.

Circa 1992.

Goodness gracious, the years really do fly.

After some of that yummy cake,

Scarlett opened presents...

 ...and enjoyed it initially... but then it became {a bit} overwhelming... and wasn't it bedtime yet?

Daddy-A tried cheering her up, but in the end, she was over it. Done. 

I-want-my-peaceful-life-back-so-everyone-can-leave-now done.

It's kind of humorous what we put little chubs through so we can remember and celebrate.

Scarlett will remember via pictures. She will know how loved and cherished she is (perhaps even at a time when she is absolutely sure Little Mama and Daddy-A are NOT on her side).

I was thrilled to participate, even if Wonderful Sweet Scarlett feels a bit {tense} when I am near her.

(She DID reach for me once while I was there - early on - before the party - in the basement. She let me hold her as she patted the shiny silver insulation around a duct or vent of some kind. Just trying to record details so I can remember it forever.)

Love that sweet girl and can't believe she's one.

Wings of lightening, I'm telling you.

I can finally reveal my secret project that I mentioned way back here. Stay tuned.