Choo Choo, All aboard.

Hold on tight, there's a ton of pictures coming your way.

We celebrated Jaxon's 3rd birthday party this weekend with family and friends.

{invite design by thatangiegirl}

Decorations

balloons filled the entry way

We served:

choo choo dogs (hot dogs and little smokies)

station house sandwiches (pb&j)

chugga chugga dip (7 layer dip and crack dip)

toot toot balls (popcorn balls)

caboose cupcakes (vanilla & chocolate)

coal (chocolate dipped marshmallows)

conductor power juice (water)

The big train (pictured above) held silverware, napkins, and the favors for the kids. 

water tower (water)

diesel fuel (pop)

 

Activities


Just as the kids were arriving and we were getting ready to start the party, we heard a loud train whistle!  


The kids ran outside to see... a train conductor!
aka, my Dad.  :)  

The conductor had instructed them to come down the "train tracks" (see the sidewalk?) to get their ticket punched, for admittance to the party.

 

 

Half of the kids were sent downstairs to the "painting station" 

where they painted train canvas'....

Upstairs was the "decorating station"... the kids decorated train shaped sugar cookies. 

We had gummy bears, oreos, 2 different frosting's, and sprinkles. 

And finally, the "puzzle station". 

My photographer for the party ;) 

After all 3 stations were complete, the train conductor punched their tickets to enter the
"choo choo yum yum" station, where the kids ate.

After they were finished eating, we were ready for the pull-string pinata.

Of course, the conductor again had to punch their ticket in order to enter the station.

 

 Here the goodies come!

Lastly, gifts...

This priceless expression was his reaction to his new Jeep 4-wheeler.

Then, to end the party, we had cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday.

The funniest part was that he was singing along... he didn't realize everyone was singing to him until the "dear Jaxon..." part, and that's where his big smile came in. 

Yummmmm, frosting.

And with that... we are done!



What a fun party it was.

Haha.

Google is a funny thing.

Every once in a while I check my stats to see where traffic comes from on my blog.

Google sources are always the funniest.  People search for some funny stuff that leads them to my blog.

For example....

"ugly cuspids"
"weird wall"
"this is my impressed face"
"infintago"
"poopy diaper girl"
"growing out baby hairs"
"lazy"

Ugly cuspids most likely lead to the post about my crooked teeth prior to braces, but "weird wall" or "poopy diaper girl"?

Strange, but funny. Why people are google searching for poopy diaper girl or ugly cuspids is beyond me...

Anyone else had any funny google traffic lately?

A sweet love.

To everything, there is a season. (Ecc 3:1)

This season is dry. It's tiring. It's exhausting. Days I don't cry at some point are considered an accomplishment.

In this season, it's easy to focus on the things I don't have. The time I don't have with my husband, the time I don't get to myself.

I'm annoyed with myself.  I clearly have a great life, and I share it with some pretty incredible people.  Not to mention I serve a God who stands beside me in this dry season and gives me what I need to make it through.

I think it's amazing that I can look back and sort-of identify why some of the events of 2010 may have happened.  We lived apart for 4 1/2 months while he worked in Denver to provide for us, and without that experience I'm not sure we'd be making it through this long season we're in right now.

I admire my husband who never complains, even on a horrible day.  Granted, it's hard to tell that he's had a great day either because of his lack of emotions most days, but it goes both ways.  He views this season as just "life right now", and instead of focusing on the negative of it, he reminds me of the positives... though there are few... ha!  He is such a strong tower of support for me.

It's cliche, yes... but the Lord knew what He was doing when he made Tyler to be my husband.  He's the perfect balance of commitment, strength, and dedication to each "season" of our lives that I need.  He loves the Lord with ALL of His heart.  He loves ME!  He leads our family.  He is an incredible role model for our boys.

Last night as we celebrated Valentines, I was overcome with a thankful heart for the greatest love ever known, both in Jesus and in my husband.

{source}

Hope your day was just as sweet!

Oh, and happy hump day!  Halfway through the week, and 50% closer to family coming to celebrate and bring much needed laughs this weekend.