Pirate Aiden

Come set sail on an adventurous tour,
Pirate Aiden is turning 4!!!

While Aiden doesn't actually turn 4 until Sunday September 1st, I decided that with hassle of labor day I would go ahead and have his birthday party a week early.  Those that know me know that I love to host...a cookout, a BBQ, or a birthday party...I love to organize events and I always do things BIG!  I actually get anxiety at the thought of not being in control of organizing my kids parties...weird, I know! I blame the OCD!!!

I usually have lots of time to prepare but with Leif deployed most of my preparing was done with the kids attached to me or in the 3 days leading up to the party when I had some extra help!  Needless to say, I got everything done and I have so many people to THANK for their time and countless offers to pitch in.  You know who you are so THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

Now to the party...Aiden wanted a pirate pool party!!!!  DONE!!!

This adorable cake was made by my talented neighbor

AAARRRGGGG

Daddy was there in spirit!!!

Pirate transformation party favors...

FOOD!

Fruit Swords

Pirates Teeth

These boys keep me going

My boy!

MYO pirate map and kiddie corner :-)

Grandpa made it

Getting in the spirit!

My emotions got the best of me...

A bittersweet moment...1st birthday party without Daddy!

Birthday boy!

Everyone was getting in the spirit!

Pirate Roli :-)

Pirate Jackson

My family

Siblings :-)  Life is short...we stick together!

The day was absolutely wonderful.  We really missed Daddy and my emotions got the best of me a few times...what can I say, I am only human!  Aiden asked multiple times if Daddy would be at his party...although he couldn't be there physically, I could definitely feel him there with us!  His heart was there and I know it tore him up to not be there!  We are so thankful for all of the people who were there and who have been behind us 100%!  Aiden was so excited....especially about the cupcakes...

I really can't believe that my baby boy is almost 4!  He is such an amazing "little man".  He amazes me everyday with his compassion, creativity, kindness and bravery!  I really could go on and on...but I will save that for his birthday!!!  The party was a blast...we are truly blessed with the most amazing and supportive friends and family!!!!  Thank you for celebrating with us and for making Aiden's day so memorable!

Showered with Love...

This past weekend we traveled to Maryland to celebrate the impending arrival of Baby Bella!  Isabella Grace is due in April (hopefully on my birthday) and is so incredibly lucky to have 2 wonderful parents.  Nicole and Jose are two people who go way back in my life.  Here is a quick back story...Jose and I were lifeguards together starting at the age of 15...Nicole and I have been friends since, hhmmmm Middle School????  While life guarding during the summer Nicole and some other friends would come to the pool to visit me and occasionally try to convince my boss (Jose) to let me leave for lunch or dinner.  We would usually have to bribe him with a free dinner but he usually obliged our constant pestering!  So me being the match maker that I am, I decided to "set up" Nicole and Jose!  The rest is history and now we all anxiously await Baby Bella!!!
I was so incredibly thrilled to find out that Nicole and Jose were expecting...they are two of the nicest and most loving people I know and let me tell you, there is nothing I wouldn't do for my Nicole...and I mean it!  Aiden and I flew to Maryland....and boy was that a sight...Me, Aiden, a carry on, 1 checked bag, his car seat, my camera bag and 2 coats walking into the airport...not an easy task!  A delayed flight..."Mommy, when is it our turn to get on the airplane"...flying at nap time (bad planning on my part)...getting all of the aforementioned belongings off the luggage carousel, onto a cart and into a rental car was probably entertaining enough for a reality show (thanks Krystal for meeting me at the airport and helping me out)!  So like I was saying...there is NOTHING that I wouldn't do for my girl Nicole!  I would move mountains for this girl!
The shower was absolutely beautiful....it was a joint effort by both families and I was just lucky enough to be allowed to help!  I made the flower arrangements, arranged the decor, helped with the set up, and brought the games!  It was so much fun!  To say that Nicole and Jose (and Isabella) are loved would be a complete understatement!  Take a look for yourself...

  See...so much love for this amazing family!  They deserve it all and more!!!!  Congratulations to such an amazing couple!!!!

How cute is she????

Splish Splash, It's Aiden's 2nd Birthday Bash!

This weekend we had a birthday party for our baby boy, Aiden.  For those of you who don't really know me, I will tell you that I LOVE a good party!  What I love even more is to be the host of said party!  Combine my love for parties and party planning with my LOVE and obsession for my baby boy and how in the heck could you go wrong!  We decided that since we are moving away from the beach for a little while we would do a surfer themed birthday party for our little beach baby.  Surf's up....

The Set Up

Sweets...

Awesome Cake

These little trix on a stick have been floating around Pinterest...so I gave them a whirl

PB&J

Had to serve this...

Fun little party favors!!!

Let's Eat...

Our own little waterpark

Celebrating our baby boy...

I really wanted to test this puppy out...

My boy loved all of the food his Momma made...

Cake time...he wanted Pops to hold him...

 I was and still am so incredibly happy with the way everything turned out.  Not to toot my own horn, but I managed to put this whole party together with out a hitch 5 days after returning from a crazy trip to RI and 10 days before we move 3 times over a 10 month period.  I made everything in the days leading up to the party and managed to remain calm and relaxed on the morning of the party....we were all set up and ready to party with time to spare!  That was a great feeling!
But the best part about this day had nothing to do with themes, food, presents or cupcakes.  The thing that really touched me were the number of people who took the time out of their day to help Leif and I celebrate our little boys birthday!  One of our guests brought me the sweetest card and as I read it I really struggled to maintain my composure...there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that we, the Gunderson family, are beyond blessed!  We have the most amazing friends and family who so selflessly sacrificed their Saturday for us!  People who have busy lives, their own families, and lots of responsibilities, thought enough of us to put all of that on the back burner and head over to our place...there are not enough words to really express how amazing that made me feel!  We just want to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you!

My sweet little beach baby...

Last but not least there are a few people who I need to thank...my husband for allowing me to be a slave driver, my mom for listening to my endless to-do lists and helping me cross each one off, my girl Krystal for helping me with all of the loose ends the night before, my girl Elisa for letting us borrow that awesome water slide, my MIL for bringing a dish, chairs, cornhole and a table, and of course my baby boy for taking a nice long nap for the 2 hours leading up to the party so this Momma could shower and take pictures of the finished product....

Looking forward to the next party!!!