Ryan's 1st Birthday Party!

Ryan's birthday was on March 2oth and we had his party on the same day since it was a Saturday. I was completely stressed over how everything was going to turn out, but it turned out pretty good. Future notes to self: start his First Year DVD way before two days before it needs to be finished. :) We never finished it, but had most of it playing during the party. It is so fun to have a video! I suggest it for everyone!

We invited lots of family and friends and had a good number show. There are so many people who love Ryan, and we appreciate it so much! Ryan's Grandpa Hale and Uncle Justin and Aunt Lanae came all the way down from Idaho for it. We loved having them here.

To decorate, I put up pictures of Ryan growing up. I put up his One Day Old, One Week Old, One Month Old, then two and so on. He is such a cute kid, it made for great decorating!!

Ryan was sleeping until right when the party started. He was a bit quiet for most of it. He wasn't sure what to think! He does love people though, so I think he was in heaven for that!

Going in to get Ryan!

Sitting on Grandpa Hale's lap.

We also had such yummy food! I was stressing on what to make for a large group and my sister-in-law Tanya suggested Pulled Pork Sandwiches. They were so easy to make, not that expensive, and delicious! I had a few people bring salads and they were all delicious! Many have asked for recipes. I just need to get my grandma's Potato Salad recipe to give out. Thanks to everyone that brought a salad! Ryan didn't sit down and eat. He just went around to everyone begging for food. It was so funny to see him go from one person to the next.

Our nephews. Cute stinkers, aren't they? :)
It was SO nice to have so much space out back for all the kids to run around.

I bought a #1 cake pan for Cutie Pie and got my niece Sydney to help me decorate it. She is amazing at decorating, and it was really nice to have her help the night before the party. The idea was to copy the fabric of the "1" on Ryan's shirt. It is blue with a bunch of turtles on it. We did pretty good with the cake, but it probably would've been better to just have a bunch of circles. Who knew turtles would be so difficult to make! :) We also used fondant for them, and who likes to eat that? Lesson learned. :)


Ryan was having so much fun hanging out with everyone that he didn't want to get in his high chair for cake. I put him in and then was getting some stuff ready and he was bawling the whole time! When I brought the cake over to him though, he stopped crying. He loved being sung to and the flame, but not when I wouldn't let him touch the flame! Poor kid! haha. He was happy when I gave him a cupcake. I should've let him dive into the cake. Sorry Buddy! Maybe next year!

Mom- Blow it out! Ryan - No, I think I'll just touch the candle and burn myself. :)

Aunt Tara and Uncle Jed were trying to get Ryan to smile so I could take a picture.

Finally! I got his camera smile! Love this stinker! :)

We got so many nice presents from people. We appreciate it so much! Ryan is loving his new things!

Ryan got a cute card that sings from Great Grandma Richards. He loves it and still plays with it! There is nothing more fun than opening and shutting something right?

Here are pictures of some of the people that came. We are so blessed to have such good family, friends, and neighbors! Thanks again, everyone, for making Ryan's first birthday a blast!!

Our old neighbors from our apartment came too! They have the cutest little 3 month old boy who was sleeping at the time.

Grandma Lisa was such a big help to me. She came on Friday to help clean and prepare and then stayed after to clean. She is a wonder woman, seriously. Thanks Mom for all your help!

Ryan loves his Uncle Dennis!