JAMSquared

I picked up the Imaginisce B-Day Bash paper pack and coordinating embellishments at the scrapbooking convention I went to with Kristy in September. I thought it would work great with all the kids’ birthday parties. So I ordered some prints from my niece’s first birthday party from ScrapbookPictures.com, a new photo site I tried out for a digital scrapbook project I am working on.  I had wanted to play along with Imaginisce’s monthly sketch in October with these pictures, but I ended up being too busy getting ready for Jessica’s first birthday party. I think this November sketch worked better with the pictures though, so I’m kinda glad I didn’t have time. What do you think of my take on the sketch?

I decided to do a coordinating second page for the rest of the pictures I deemed scrapbook worthy. And then I wondered where there was room for the journaling. You might look at this page and wonder “I don’t see any journaling.” Well, I’m sneaky like that. That little red rectangle with the present hides the journaling that will pop out like a jack-in-the-box. That space wasn’t big enough for all I wanted to say (thank you blog post on said party for providing what to say) and so I got creative. What do you think?

Cardstock: Bazzil white and red; DCWV caribbean
Designer Paper: Imaginisce B-Day Bash
Stamps: Stampabilites Sophie Alpha Upper & Lower
Ink: Stampin’ Up Craft Whisper White
Embellishments: Imaginisce B-Day Bash chipboard stickers and rub-ons; The Twinery Caribbean twine; DMC white floss; Stickles yellow; dimensionals
Tools: Martha Stewart Balloon punch; Nestabilities Classic Ovals Large

Thanks for stopping by.

I love parties. Hopefully, Jessica will grow up loving parties as much as her Momma. I tried to trim the guest list for the party, but I think I still ended up with too many people in my house, but oh well. It was a ton of fun and Jessica will be able to look back at the pictures of all the people who came to celebrate her 1st birthday with her.

Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures during the party; however, my Dad and my sister using my Dad’s camera took lots of great pictures.

Here’s my Mom with her two youngest grand-children. We’ll be celebrating Trevor’s 1st birthday in less than 2 weeks.

I had sent James and his Dad to pick up the balloons and pizza. Don’t all those balloons look fun?

The balloon place was kinda backed up, so James didn’t have time to set up the circus tent before people arrived. Here’s Trevor and Cameron checking out the pieces prior to erection.

Jessica was enthralled with the balloons. She kept looking up at them.

My friend Lori is so good with kids. Noah, Anna and Parker all enjoyed the jungle story she read them.

Before people started arriving, our nephew Dawson asked what he could do to help. I showed him how to make popcorn and he filled up all the containers for me after each batch popped.

Jessica’s birthday cake was a small two-layer affair.

At first, she didn’t know what to think of it.

She eventually figured out that cake is pretty tasty food.

I think everyone enjoyed the cupcakes.

Jessica is so blessed to have so many people who care about her. She got a bunch of neat presents. She’ll be stylish, well-read, and have lots of active fun.

Previous party posts:  Part 1: Decorations. Stay tuned for Part 3: Favors and Thank Yous and Part 4: Food.

We had a very busy weekend. James’ parents, sister and nephew arrived Friday in time for dinner.

Saturday morning, we tried for a photo shoot, but Jessica didn’t want anything to do with that.

We then went to the Circle C Metro Park. James and Dawson tossed a frisbee, while Jessica played. She enjoyed the racket ball container we brought along.

Sunday morning, my parents, Sarah and her kiddos (Brian was on his annual guys bow-hunting trip) arrived just in time for Jessica’s birthday party, which I will discuss in a later post.

After the party, James’ family left and the Dzubinski cousins played together. A number of these photos were actually taken by my Dad.

We took the play time outside to check out Jessica’s new ride, the gift James and I got Jessica.

Monday we met up with Julia and Aspen for lunch at Mighty Fine Burgers and afterward we went to Gracywoods Park (an awesome playground, but we had a hard time finding where to park) and let the kiddos burn some energy before Sarah, Cameron and Trevor left to head home. My parents left the next morning.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

We got up early, for us, and met everyone for breakfast at the Firewheel Cafe. Jason and Julia then went horse-back riding. We would have joined them if I had heeded my husband’s request to pack jeans for horseback riding. Silly me thought we could go riding in shorts. Oh well, I know for next time.

Jessica rode the lobby horse with Cameron who then rode it with Trevor.

Then Cameron went to ride a real live pony (see Sarah’s post about Cameron’s pony ride here) while the other kiddos relaxed in their strollers.

Afterward, Aspen and Jessica checked out some little bug cars, which were really too old for both of them, but they sure looked cute.  Both girls really liked the bug’s antennae. Sarah and Cameron then swam a bit more, while we took Jessica back to our room to nap.

We loaded up and drove back to Austin where we all ate lunch before everyone went their separate ways. The next time we’ll all be together will be Jessica’s 1st birthday party.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Jessica spent some time with Nanny and Papa while James went to get us some breakfast tacos and I started pool prepping. After eating, we met everyone at the pool for a fun morning filled with lots of swimming and floating. We started out in the “beach” of the pool. I’m not sure if it was the texture of the sand or what, but Jessica did not care for sitting in the sand in the shallows of the water playing. However, once we got to floating the crooked river, she had a blast. Aspen on the other hand, loved the beach. She kept filling her bucket with sand.

Lunch was eaten under a massive oak tree beside the crooked river. Lunch consisted of sandwich stuff Mom, Dad and Sarah had picked up from HEB the night before after dinner. Much cheaper than the Old Buck’s Place of the day before and just as tasty.

All the kiddos plus Jason and Julia then snoozed. Brian stayed in their room and relaxed. The rest of us hung out in Mom and Dad’s room chatting.

We then went and had dinner at Roadhouse. I immensely enjoyed my bacon cheeseburger. Jason had what was apparently the best grilled chicken sandwich he had ever eaten. They did have good food in a hole in the wall location. It often works out that way, doesn’t it?

We then went to downtown Bastrop and ambled down the main street. Only one shop was open, Johns Barber Shop. We crossed the historic Colorado River bridge, a 1,285-foot (392 m)-long bridge with three steel truss spans and concrete piers, which is now a pedestrian walkway.