Our Five Ring Circus: Lily's Second Birthday

Monday, August 5, 2013

Lily's Second Birthday

Two days ago, my sweet Lily turned 2!  I am completely overwhelmed at how fast the past two years have flown by.  In just a few weeks, she's going to be a big sister!!!

On her birthday eve, we filled her room with balloons after she fell asleep.  She had a rare, middle of the night wake up, so I brought her into our room.  That was a big mistake, considering she slept wrapped around my head, and then took off down the hall to Dylan's room at 5:15 AM!  That was enough for me, so back to her crib she went!

Lily woke up around 9 AM, and as soon as Grant got her out of her crib, she immediately set to work tossing her balloons into the air!

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The first thing she saw when she came out of her room was her big birthday present!

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Building the playhouse couldn't wait, so the whole family headed outside, still in pajamas.

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Luckily, Grant was able to assemble it quickly, because it was difficult to keep Lily out of it! She LOVED it!

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We convinced her to come back inside for a birthday tradition...donuts for breakfast!

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After breakfast, she got to open the rest of her presents.  Dylan and Lexie gave her a birthday party baby doll, and she also got a Minnie Mouse phone, 3 books, and a coloring pack.

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This year, Lily shared her birthday with our family reunion.  She attended her first reunion at just 4 days old, so this is actually her third year at the reunion. I felt bad about it, but she loves being outdoors, so it ended up being a great day for her!

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Everybody had fun!  Dylan ended up completely soaked in just minutes, Lexie attached herself to my cousin's hip, and Grant and I had a great time catching up with my extended family! My aunt and uncle (my godparents) and my cousin were in town from Texas, so it made this reunion extra special!

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My sister and I were in charge of the games for the kids this year, and this was the first year the adults got involved, too!  The Cheeto game was a hit!

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This was the first time in many years that we managed to get a group picture. My family is huge...this was only about half of them!

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All the fun and excitement exhausted Lily.  My dad's cousin has 4 of the best kids ever.  At Lily's first reunion, her oldest daughter scooped Lily up and held her all day.  The same thing happened last year.  This year was no exception.  Lily cuddled up in her arms, and slept there for 2 hours!  We only see her once a year, and Lily just adores her!

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Meanwhile, I got to spend some time with my cousin from Texas.  We are really hoping she is able to find a teaching job up here, so we can see her more often!!!  We're also hoping that if that happens, my aunt and uncle will follow!

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When Lily woke up, we sang happy birthday to her again!  Birthdays just aren't the same without cupcakes!

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After that, the reunion started to come to an end.  People began to leave, the weather cooled down, and dark soon fell.

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We stayed until nearly 10:00.  It was especially difficult to say goodbye to my Aunt Susie, Uncle Milt, and MichaelAnne. I may see my aunt and cousin again this week, but my uncle is headed back to Texas.  It is always hard to say goodbye to them, considering I only see them once every year or two! They better move home!!!

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We left the reunion with just our birthday girl.  Dylan went home with my sister and nephews and Lexie went home with my parents. 

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Once home, we let our sweet baby girl play with some new toys before bed.

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She asked to sleep in our bed that night, and we couldn't resist.  Birthdays are special!

Happy 2nd Birthday, my sweet Lilybug!!!  This is going to be a big year for you, but you'll ALWAYS be my baby girl!

21 comments:

  1. Happy 2nd Birthday Lily! What a fun day! Lucky girl with her cottage and sprinkle birthday donut! :)

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  2. Happy 2nd Birthday sweet Lily!! XOXO

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  3. Happy 2nd Birthday, Lily! :) looks like a wonderful day was had by all. Those games looked like so much as well as her play cottage. Fingers crossed your cousin can find a teaching job near you guys & your aunt and uncle come as well. I know how hard it is being away from family. I'm in TX and all of mine are in VA.

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  4. Looks like she had a good time. We are getting the girls that same cottage for Christmas. Cute pictures

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  5. I love your big family! I've always wanted a big family!

    Happy Birthday to sweet Lily!!! Enjoy having a two year old again!

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  6. Lily! You are the most stylish I know!
    How cool that your whole family got to adore her on her big day! You have such a beautiful big family!

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  7. Happy birthday to her! Two is my favorite age.

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  8. What a fun birthday! That tutu is adorable on her! Happy Birthday little one!

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  9. What a fun birthday! That tutu is adorable on her! Happy Birthday little one!

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  10. Happy Birthday to Lily!! She's adorable, I love the pics of her eating her doughnuts :)

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  11. Autumn would looked that play house, what an awesome bday gift!

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  12. Happy birthday Lily! It looks like so much fun! You have such a great family! :) Have a great night my friend!

    Mama Hen

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  13. Happy Birthday, sweet girl!!! it looks like you made her day so special and perfect. Go Mama!

    Love her gift - my niece has that and it's a hit!

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  14. what better way to spend your birthday than w. family! Sounds like a perfect day

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  15. what better way to spend your birthday than w. family! Sounds like a perfect day

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  16. Looks like everyone had a great time!

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  17. Awww what a sweet birthday post for your beautiful 2 year old!! Happy birthday Lily, gosh Stefanie, she is so adorable!!!
    These are all gorgeous pictures, I bet she had a great day filled with so much fun (and so many people!) You certainly have a huge family (and I think you and your cousin look alike too).
    Your kids are just beautiful, I cannot wait to see baby #4 in the mix :)
    And btw, I could eat donuts for breakfast any day of the week too ;)

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  18. A family reunion on your bday is like a huge bday party! :) love her outfit!! Looks like she had a blast on her special day!! Hope your cousin gets to move home!! That would be great!

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  19. A donut, a playhouse, a cute outfit, a HUGE family...looks like a perfect Birthday celebration to me!

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