Pumpkin Party :: Cupcakes

For dessert we had pumpkin cupcakes.  I purchased them from a local bakery called Cache.  I made the pumpkin cupcake toppers and they put gold sprinkles on them, both of which added a fun festive touch.  

Dessert is served...

Uncle Ben is clearly excited that its time for dessert...

The birthday girl was all eyes when the candle came out...

Ready to try out her first bite of a sweet treat...

She was cautious for the first few seconds but then decided to go for it...

Hudson says his favorite thing about birthday parties is the cake (no surprise there)...

Still going at it...

"Mommy, that tasted pretty good.  May I have another one?"  

Pumpkin Party :: Food

After all the games and gifts, it was time to eat.  This is what was served...

Toppings for the chili...

Nana Sue put together the colorful veggie tray and I complimented it with a pumpkin dip...

Mimi made her famous and delicious orange fluff salad...

Corn bread on a hay rack...

Bapa Rog went through the food line first for being the guest with the birthday closest to Greta's.

The birthday girl enjoying her dinner.

Mylo getting something to eat too...

The "big kids" table...

The downstairs guests chatting and eating...

And the upstairs crew...

Pumpkin Party :: Gifts

Just a few pictures from the gift opening segment of the party...

We were a little late in getting Greta's gift figured out and ordered so it arrived the day after.  She was pretty excited about her Bitty Baby and has been giving it lots of snuggles, ever since.  

Pumpkin Party :: Pumpkin Patch BINGO

I like to play some sort of a game at the parties I plan because it feels like a good activity to get others engaged and interacting.  Plus, they get to know the birthday boy/girl a little bit better.  At Hudson's parties I always do a "pop quiz" with questions about things he likes, happenings from his year, and recent accomplishments.  For Greta's party I decided to play Pumpkin Patch BINGO.  I had blank BINGO boards and return address label stickers.  On each sticker was an answer to a question about Greta.  For example...Silent Night (Greta's favorite lullaby) and Fruit and Cheese (Greta's favorite foods) and 12:13am (time Greta was born).  Each guest created their own BINGO board by putting the stickers in the blank squares.  I asked a question about Greta and when they found the answer on their board they covered it with an orange circle.  It was simple, so even the little ones got involved, which was great.  Winners won a mini bag of pumpkin spice Hersey's kisses.    

The Pumpkin Patch Bingo boards and supplies...

Everyone working hard on making their Bingo boards... 

Clara, taking in all the activity...

Uncle Ryan, working on a Bingo...

Hudson impressed me by knowing the answers to most of the questions, even though he couldn't read the answers on the stickers.  Big brothers know best!  

Pumpkin Party :: Family Pics

We set up a little fall display in our backyard with some hay bales, corn stalks and pumpkins.  I painted a few simple signs out of barn wood.  Below are some of my favorite pictures we captured of the party guests.  

The birthday girl was not so sure what she thought about all the activity and excitement.  Each pose and expression is precious to me.  I love it all and just want to cherish and savor every single ounce of her sweetness.  

Ben with Ellsy Lucille...

"Ellsy, can you tell me what its like to be 1?  You are such a big girl and I want to be just like you."  

We captured a few cousin pictures.  4 girls sandwiched between the 2 boys (Hudson the oldest and Mylo the youngest) makes the cutest cousin collection ever.  Hudson refused to sit on the straw bales because they were too itchy but he was willing to hold Mylo.  :)  

Ben, Jenna, Clara and Ellsy certainly deserve the prize for "best dressed."  They followed just what the invitation said...wear orange.  :)  

Mimi and Bapa with their grand babies (and myself their middle baby)...

Mimi and her buddy Hudson...

A few family pictures to help document and remember the day...

Nana Sue and Papa Ed...

Uncle Ryan and Mr. Hudson...

GG Ells and Hudson John...

Uncle Jacy, Auntie Lynn, Milly and Mylo...