Alli's 2nd Birthday Party

Finally, I can post party pictures!!  (Thank you, Laura and Tiffany, for providing many of the following pictures!)  I won't leave you waiting any longer by adding any unnecessary text that you'd probably skip over anyway. ;)

The big 2-year-old!

Mom, can't we just get on with my party already?

Presents!

Eager little helpers stood by in case I needed any assistance.

More presents!

Cousin Landon tested out my new trike bike.  (If you call it a trike, I will correct you.)

I think I've waited long enough.  Will someone please get me a cupcake?

Finally!

Julian found a turtle!

Can you help me get this balloon?

You are such a dapper young gentleman, Julian!

Perfect weather... just for my party!

I think Daddy likes my new dollhouse just as much as I do!

New toys are so much fun!

I am soooo ready for a little sister!

Having a tea party with one of my new dolls and Gma.

Uncle Tyler, you are soooo silly!

Okay, I'm silly too!

I got to enjoy dinner on my new picnic table!

Look, no booster seat or bib!

Aunt Emily helped me try out my new trike bike.

Watch out for the corner!

Grandpa decided he wanted a turn.

 Aunt Emily, hop on!  It's my... turn... to... help.... *grunt*

 Baby doll got some new wheels!

Apple slices are for one-year-olds.

Alli is 2!

Alli is an official two-year-old!  I know many of you have been waiting for me to update this blog with photos from the party, and I apologize for making you wait even longer.  (Yes, I'm flinching as I type this!)  After an unfortunate incident on the concrete driveway the night before the party, our camera decided to be a bit fussy with taking pictures during the party.  I am now at the mercy of  family and dear friends and their willingness to pass along pictures they took so I can share them with all of you.  Alas, I am still waiting (ahem, Tiffany :) so in the meantime, I will post a couple of pictures leading up to the party that will tide you over... hopefully.

Alli has been such a good sleeper in her big girl bed!  She has yet to crawl out of bed on her own (please don't give her the idea), and the transition couldn't have been any easier on us, thank goodness!  Her vocabulary amazes us every day.  I asked her if a snack was yummy, and she responded with, "Delicious!"  She carries on conversations with Bunny, George, and Jelly Bean (her beloved stuffed animals), and her imagination runs wild.  She now feeds her dolls and changes Bunny's diaper, sees shapes in the remains of her sandwich ("a boat!") and talks and talks and talks and talks and talks until a stranger makes eye contact.  Then she clams up mute like she's never spoken a word in her life.  We are hoping she gets over her shyness eventually.  We cracked up yesterday when she hollered, "Hey, Mike!" (which she started a couple of months ago) and her newest, "Heidi Hanson?  Are you there?"  Really, kid?  You're only two, let's get back to Mama and Daddy, okay?

Jelly Bean, we must fancy you up for my party!

 Testing out the frosting for my cupcakes!  (In case there was any doubt, my mom enjoyed the other beater!)

Sampling the only spare cupcake we had!  (Sorry, Grandpa, but it was goooooood!!)

My cupcake cake!  Cupcakes are my absolute favorite!

Again, I hope to post more pictures verrrrrrrrrrrry soon!  Stay tuned....