Gabriel's First Birthday - Dr Seuss party, Cat in the hat cake, Smash cake and more

Gabriel is one year old! I can't believe it! We had a great first birthday party with a Dr Seuss theme. Everyone had a blast, and I had a blast putting it all together. I could not have done it without my baking buddies, Danielle and Marlene. Neither could I have pulled it off without my mom, who was able to fly out to be here for the big event. Thanks guys!

First, I want to show you the invite for the party.

 

The day of the party, we put the same picture on our front door and it said "No need to knock, just come inside. We're all upstairs. Come join the ride!"

Inside, we had a table with socks and fabric markers. Next to them was Dr Seuss's The Foot Book, and the quote "In the house and on the street, how many different feet you meet!". Guests were encouraged to color their own socks, wear them throughout the party and meet all the other feet.

Upstairs was decked out with Dr Seuss books propped up in all locations. The food table looked like this. Most of the food was inspired by a Dr Seuss book. Green Eggs and Ham, Three Cheese Tree, Hop On Pop(corn), etc.

Danielle made chocolate coated cat in the hat marshmallows that were delicious!

And I couldn't get by without doing another cake. I don't think I need to tell you what book it's from :)

I was so excited to give Gabriel his smash cake. I pictured him making a huge mess and getting cake all over the place and in his hair. He didn't quite have that reaction. I guess I've trained him well to not make messes while eating. Check out the video and pictures.

As a party gift for our guests, I made these A-B-C cookies, inspired by Dr Seuss's A-B-C book.

Baby Gabey we love you dearly. Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Sad News and Joy

We are sad to announce that we recently lost our newest addition to the family through a miscarriage a couple weeks ago. It's taken some time for me to finally sit down and write about it on our blog. I don't want to just breeze past it as if it never happened, because that little child was important to us. Even though we never met him/her in person we had many hopes and dreams for the future. So we have been mourning the loss of this baby, but at the same time we are filled with joy. Here's why.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

-Jeremiah 29:11-13

God has a plan for our lives, and we want nothing less than what he has in mind for us. We don't always understand why certain things happen, but know that it is a small part of God's master plan. God loves us and wants the best for us.

Richard and I have hope that when we get to heaven, we'll finally get to meet the child we were never able to meet on earth. What joy! What more could we as parents ask for, but that our children be redeemed by God's grace.

Even though we're filled with joy at the thought of our child in heaven, we still lean on God for our strength to get through our sadness.

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."

-Psalm 55:22

Gabriel Begins His Basketball Career

Our neighbors bought Gabriel a basketball hoop for Christmas.  Here is a short video of his first day on the court.  He seems to understand putting the ball in the hoop via the dunk.  Now we just need to work on the jump shot... after he learns to walk.