FIRST BIRTHDAY - DECORATIONS AND FAVORS

I found this bulletin board at Goodwill for $4.64 a week before the party, with no intention of using it for the party, well, that is until I had this brainstorm. I used fancy fibers and yarn to cover the board and printed Happy Birthday on cardstock. I cut out the letters using a circle cutter and matted them. I attached them to the fancy fibers with binder clips. I printed baby pictures of Judah and did the same. I had an extra smaller palm tree that I cut up and stapled behind the pictures for added color and texture. I love the way it turned out!

This was on the front door, I used one of the napkins and attached it with brads to a piece of cork I had and placed it in the center of the wreath.

These are the beach balls we gave away as favors, they were in the shape of jungle animals and there were glasses to match. The kids had a ball with these.

This guy is from Judah's shower, isn't he cute sitting on the palm tree?

This was the table in the foyer. It has a palm tree with another lion, the glasses, a photo frame with Judah's birth announcement in it and a digital frame with a slideshow of his birth picture.

These are Annais' monkeys that he let us borrow for the occassion.

FIRST BIRTHDAY - FOOD

Grandmother's Punch - A wonderful punch that I have made for all my kid's first birthday parties. Click on the picture for the recipe.

Roasted Olives, YUMMO! I got this recipe off the Lindsey Olive site and have made it twice. It is always a hit. Three kinds of olives, garlic and cherry tomatoes served on the new Toppers crackers. Click on picture for recipe.

Loaded baked potato dip, just like it sounds. Served on potato chips! People always ask if there are potatoes in it and the answer is NO! Here is the recipe:

LOADED BAKED POTATO DIP

8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. sour cream with chives (or plain, add chives)
Shredded cheddar cheese
Small bag of real bacon bits
Chives

Mix softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese (about ½ to cup – personal preference), about ¼ cup bacon bits and add chives if not included in sour cream, bacon bits. Stir well and put in a 18 oz. baking dish and top with cheddar to cover, remaining bacon bits and chives. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese melts completely. Serve with ridged plain potato chips. Tastes just like a loaded baked potato.

The dish in the middle of the three layer stand is Artichoke Salsa, a Pampered Chef favorite that I have made at all their first birthday parties too! Serve with tortilla chips. Click the three tiered picture for recipe.

A picture of Isabella and Kaira in front of the punch and cupcakes. I got the punch bowl as a special treat for me for Judah's birthday. I LOVE it! It's the Arthur Court 14" acrylic bunny bowl. I got it here for a great price.

I've had these at all the kids first birthday parties too. Little Hershey's nuggets covered with their names printed on address labels (Avery 5160).

The HIT of the party - 7 layer dip, but not what you are thinking... it's a delicious blend of peanut butter, nutella, marshmellow fluff, shredded coconut, peanuts, chocolate chips and gummy bears. Can you say d-e-n-t-i-s-t? Served on FLIPZ, Judah's absolute FAVORITE crackers. Click either picture for recipe. Way to go Evite!

Had to get some fruit in there, served with a cool lime dip in the middle, click picture for recipe.

And of course, J-E-L-L-O, it was as big a hit as anything and I served it with those tiny samples spoons that me LOVES!!!

The cupcakes were made by the World's GREATEST babysitter, Sarah Lynn. She made 48 cupacakes for the party. Some were covered in sprinkles and others were covered in crushed Reese's Pieces, can you say DELICIOUS!!!

Just a good shot of more of the table. See all the candy we had? $14 of jellybeans...I about fainted when the lady gave me the total...well, it was for a good cause.

FIRST BIRTHDAY - FAMILY AND FRIENDS

(Top) Kevin and his oldest (Bottom) Erika, Kevin's wife and their youngest

(Top) Mary Margaret and her son (Bottom) Bo and Ruth Allen and their youngest

Kaira and her friends

(Top) Me and Judah (Bottom) Me, Daddy and Judah (can you believe I forgot to get a family picture?)

The three of us!

(Top) Kaira chewing on her hand for some reason (Bottom) The girls

(L) Isabella admiring a weed, we have MANY to admire (R) Annais and Isabella outside

(Top) My brother David and my sister in law Kassy (Bottom) David with Kassy and Brooke Lynn

(Top) Daddy and Judah (Bottom) Brooke Lynn and Judah having a serious discussion about "baby things"

(Top) More of the three of us (Bottom) During worship

(Top) Introducing Judah to Ann's son (Bottom) Isabella having fun outside

Come back tomorrow for food and recipes!

FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY - WORSHIP!

For a long time I knew worship would be part of Judah's first birthday party and the first person that came to mind was Bo! He leads worship at a church plant from our previous church and there is a sweetness and reverance when he is leading worship. I sense the Lord's presence and love in a mighty and tangible way as he leads worship and ushers people to the throne room. I am so grateful that him and his family were able to share this day with us.

Bo said he wanted to sing a song over Judah; it was a song he wrote for the children's ministry based on Jeremiah 29:11 and part of went like this:

Give you hope, bring you peace, give you joy

It was a blessing to hear that spoken out loud, not only over Judah, but all of His children! That is His plan for ALL of us!

It was precious to see Judah worship the Lord as Bo led worship! Starting with a little hand clapping. Getting those arms ready! Lift off - full blown worship. When our pastor shared the meaning of Judah's name he actually lifted his hands much like this to show that this is what Judah's name means - hands extended upward worshipping the Father. Beautiful!

More worship clips:

Hosanna

Oh, Praise Him