This weekend the kids and I headed to St. Louis for Bella Lou's 1st birthday. But before we headed out we had to check out our latest experience with nature-thankfully not snakes this time. The kids received a butterfly hut for Easter and earlier this week we received our caterpillars in the mail. Jackson and Ellie have had a fun time seeing how they change each day. On Friday they started forming their cocoons. Pretty soon we will move them to the butterfly hut and wait for them to come out as butterflies.
We left for St. Louis Saturday morning and Caroline and Molly were lucky enough to join us for the trip and got to make sure the kids needs were met. We got in town and started helping Sara and Ryan finish up stuff for the party. They had quite the spread with all sorts of appetizers, then brats, hot dogs, and bbq beef for dinner. Most of our family was there along with most of Ryan's family. Our cousins Niki, Shaun, and Chase were there as was Uncle John and then several of Sara and Ryan's friends. It was definitely a crowd. We also got to see the basement that Ryan has been refinishing. He did a great job and it provided a good place for everyone to catch the Kentucky Derby during the party.
Bella had a cupcake theme party and they had everything decorated so cute. Lissy made Bella the cutest little onsie with a cupcake made out of felt. Sara and Ryan made a cupcake cake that was Bella's "smash cake" and they also had regular cupcakes and I made some cupcake pops.
Bella had all sorts of help throughout the party from helping her walk to making sure her presents were opened. I don't know if Bella even opened one of her presents with all her cousins helping out.
After presents, was cake time. Bella wasn't quite sure what to do with her big cupcake. She mostly just picked off the big sprinkles and ate a little of the icing. The rest of us enjoyed the cupcakes though.
We ended the party with a little cousin bath time.
We got home Sunday afternoon and Andrew was waiting for us with all sorts of surprises. He had finished putting the mulch out in our flowerbeds, mowed and trimmed the yard, set up Jackson's soccer goal and even put out a little grass seed. He also set out some steaks for dinner. Andrew had more success with turkey hunting without his little hunting buddy. He did get a turkey Saturday morning and I think Jeff Sparks got it on video but we haven't seen it yet. Jackson was impressed he got one and it excited to see the video of it.
Jackson and Ellie immediately started playing soccer and we enjoyed a little time outside. Andrew grilled up the steaks and we had a nice dinner outside. He also picked up a watermelon. I'm not a fan of watermelon, but he had the kids try it. They all lined up on the edge of the patio so they could spit their seeds out.
Tomorrow is Bella's actual birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELLA LOU!
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