How Does your Garden Grow?

This in no way compares to my brother's garden,

but Josh and I are pretty proud of our first vegetable garden.

Our first little squash is growing!

We planted creole tomatoes, zucchini squash, yellow squash, eggplant, red and green bell pepper, parsley, oregano, basil, and spinach. It has been at least six weeks, so we are anticipating more veggies to start sprouting!

My neighbor gave me some morning glories that she grew from seeds of last year's blooms, and I now have these smiling at me through the kitchen window every morning and sometimes all day when it's overcast! I planted these when they were only about three inches tall, and they've already climbed up the fence and back down a little. I'm trying to guide it and one other to take over the fence. I hope it works!

Happy Birthday to Little Miss Lady Afton St. Claire!

Afton's birthday was on the 12th (Thursday). Josh had work all day and night. The boys had school. However, our friend, Lane, spent the day with us while her parents were at the hospital delivering a new baby girl, Cheyene, who now shares Afton's special day.

For lunch, we went to Chick-Fil-A.

In the evening-after Ayden's piano lessons-I took this bunch to gourmet cupcake shop. We sang to Afton and had a candle for her to blow out.

Those cupcakes were gigantic!

They all ate a few bites of the icing, but never made it to the cakes.

While we were there, I got the call that the baby was born, so we went to the hospital and met Lane's new baby sister. The kids loved that.

It was a busy and fun filled day.

We had Afton's party on Saturday afternoon. A Friday night thunderstorm brought in a cool front that created the perfect day for being outdoors. We spent the entire time in the backyard. It was amazing. Afton enjoyed herself thoroughly.

The invitation...

A better image of the picture I used on the invitation...

The gift/cake table...

The snack bar...

(I made the table runner and will now have to make more, because it is so easy with a serger.)

I made tutus for all of the girls (with some help from Robin and my friend Lindsay) and bowties for the guys-which they didn't care to wear.

Pretzel sticks. I had no idea how easy these are to make.

These will be made for many more parties.

The boys at least enjoyed these, so I didn't feel as bad about the bowties.

And here's my birthday girl living it up!

My friend Jane took some excellent pictures. Go HERE for her perspective of the party.

It puts my little Canon Powershot to shame;)

Now for the sentimental part of this birthday post:

These two years have been so awesome with Afton in my life. She's my little best girlfriend. She's our little sunshine and brings a whole new flavor of life into our world.

She has her "Dadda" and "Brudders" wrapped around her dimpled little fingers.

She's so smart and is a little chatterbox. She's very sweet to her little friends. She has some spunk to her, and won't put up with any nonsense from her brothers. She loves her doll named "Cookie Baby", Dora, Minnie Mouse, and anything Disney World related. Her new favorite thing is taking pictures of us. She'll say, "Say cheese!" and when we do she'll take the picture and say "Good job!" I love how she calls me "Momma." It melts my heart every time.

This girl is such a joy. I can't believe my baby isn't a baby anymore. I love watching her grow and learn, but it's going too fast. Okay, now I'm crying again. I love you, my Sweet Afton! Happy 2nd birthday of many to come!!