Disneyland!

This is the first of a few summer posts. We were busy traveling with both sides of the family this summer, if you know me and my family we were hardly home during any break from school/work. While I love being home I can't go too long without going somewhere, even if it is just a little staycation. Traveling with my family was a huge part of my childhood and I hope to continue traveling with my own children. 

First Stop: Disneyland! 

So for my birthday we decided to go to Disneyland! Oh Disney, you will forever have my heart. My family and cousin's already had this trip planned for a bit and when they invited us I just couldn't say no! Just like when we were kids! It was Jaxon's first time and even though he is only one, he loved it. He loved watching all the people, loved most of the rides and his favorite was the 60th Diamond Celebration light parade. He always passed out right before fireworks and managed to sleep through them all three nights. Thats okay though because we will definitely be back!
I wasn't very great about taking pictures so these are just ones I managed to snap with my phone.

Oh he was so good! Sometimes I think Jaxon is better on vacation and out and about then he is at home!

My sweet cousin Miranda and her little Chloe! So much fun being with them and watching Jax and Chlo together. 

He could have spent all day crawling around here. 

I am so thankful to have a family who was willing to all wear matching shirts just to make a birthday girl happy(:

the whole crew!

Forever making me ugly laugh, I love this man.

We didn't want to pay for parking for two cars so the only logical thing to do was shove 10 people in one car!

Oh the magic!

D

Some cousin love!

-xo Taylor

Jaxon's First Birthday

So it has only been almost a year...

I am definitely kicking myself for letting it go so long, but sometimes that happens. So hey I'll just have to try and play catch up. We will start with Jaxon's First Birthday!

I think I tell Jax to stop growing up at least 20 times a day! Good thing he doesn't always listen to his mom because we are also having so much fun. 

These next few posts will probably be long with lots of photos so here is your warning.

April 6th, 2016

The day of Jaxon's birthday was pretty uneventful. I know, I know bad mom, but he didn't really seem to mind! I had this plan for when he woke up. I was going to go into his room singing him happy birthday, dump balloons all over him and take super artsy sentimental pictures of it all. Well, Jax ended up in our bed in the middle of the night. I am quickly finding out somethings don't always go as planned (especially with a little one), but that's okay because we just go with the flow. When he woke up (in our bed), we sang. ate some pancakes and eventually made it to his room for a quick balloon photo op. 

I wasn't super happy with the pictures I got that morning so we tried again later in the afternoon, but by then he wasn't having any of it. Awe, look at those big 'ol tears (strike two mom).

We then went to Walmart and picked out a big boy carseat, he was getting to be too long for his infant seat. After that we went to lunch, which Jaxon slept through, then back home to lounge around and open presents from mom and dad. I only got one other picture from that day (strrrrike three!) 

It was a very laid back and special day, we got to spend some time with just the three of us and enjoy each other's company.

April 9th, 2016

The Saturday following Jaxon's birthday we had a party! My family was able to come to Linden to celebrate as well as my sister in law and my cute nieces! I am not much of a party planner plus I was finishing up school so my poor boy got a thrown together redneck "themed" first birthday.

We had great food, wonderful weather and Jaxon was surrounded by his biggest fans so that is all that  really matters. Not the lack of decor, lack of seating, and the fact that were using a truck's tailgate as a serving table. 

After we all ate and got to visit for a bit we broke out the cake. Now between getting lunch and cake we had someone get sick and we found out our well pump broke (no water with nine extra people staying with us). I am not writing this to be negative, I just want to remember, because life isn't perfect and doesn't care what day it is or what is going on. 

Back to the cake, I made a (sad) smash cake. 

Thank you Pinterest for the idea, next time I will try to be more patient! If you want to see what it was suppose to look like or use the recipe for yourself here you go. Try not to judge too harshly. ;)

We sang and set the cake down in front of him and he just slowly picked the individual sprinkles off the top and ate them. Funny boy, we broke up the cake for him a little bit and that's when he really went for it. 

Love that face!

He had a nice bath, via baby wipes, and we spent the rest of the day opening presents and playing. It was an eventful day full of fun and love for this sweet little boy. 

Happy Birthday Jaxon James

The rest are just some birthday pictures Branden and I took.

-xo Taylor