Jensen's First Birthday Party

I'm so happy to be sharing photos from Jensen's first birthday party. You know it was a great party when you just look through all the photos smiling and remembering every sweet moment. We did a firetruck theme but kept things really simple - just a few decorations, family, and of course, CAKE! 

I knew from the get go that I wanted to set the stage for a cute first cake backdrop. We hosted the party at Ryan's parents house so I thought the fireplace area would be just right. I painted the firetruck canvas on the mantel to go in his bedroom back when I was pregnant and the pennant banner was also already in his room. I borrowed a wooden high chair, crafted a "ONE" banner and we were all set! THIS PHOTO was the look I was originally going on.

Our family of four! Why is it so hard to get a good photo with two kids? We took a ton and this was probably the best. 

The cake table complete with balloons (fun fact, I really love balloons for a party)!

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I made a vanilla cake. I used scraps of paper from his "ONE" banner to make the "JENSEN" banner for his cake, got a sparkly 1 at Hobby Lobby and topped it with one of his favorite fire trucks. THIS CAKE was my Pinterest inspiration and I was pleased how it came out.

Papa grilled up the hot dogs and hamburgers for everyone to eat...just like they do at the real fire station :) 

With my birthday buddy. Ah, how can he be one already? I want to squish him and make him stay small and chubby forever. 

One of my favorites with Aunt Amanda! 

Everybody just hanging out after dinner. I know this isn't the fanciest but I love it. I loved that the party was easy and we were lucky to have all our family there to celebrate. To me that is what makes the early birthday parties most special. 

Then it was present time! My parents were clever and wrapped his gift in the sports page from his birthday.

Mickey Mouse car! Jensen and Eva both LOVE this ride on toy. They can be found zooming around our house all day long.

Opening more gifts - new clothes, socks, shoes, a bath toy, a few other toys and a cool overnight bag. What more could a little man ask for?

All of his cousins helping him to open his gifts. 

 She would have gladly opened every gift for him but did a good job letting this be his moment.

 Finally it was time for cake!!! I made him his own little smash cake.

So serious. When he is in louder situations he tends to be more quiet and observant. It was sweet because he was happy and could tell this party was for him.

Then he picked up the WHOLE cake and just went for it! I remember Eva taking tiny pinches of her first cake but this little guy just wanted it all!

 "Yummmm, my first cake!" He had never had anything with sugar in it before but don't worry, he liked it!

 We also celebrated Papa's 65th birthday. Look at those handsome Bradley men.

"I did it! I turned one! Who's proud of me?" {He did NOT eat that whole cake...}

We had a great birthday party! Thank you to all the family who made it such a special day for us! Jensen likes all of his gifts and loves all of his family even more.