Voyage of the Vann's: I'm Back!

Howdy!
I'm back...yay!
I haven't blogged in forever...for many a good reason. Life has been crazy around here, as you can imagine, and it's impossible for me to sit down and blog (even though I really want to). I finally feel like I am at a point where I can and we FINALLY got a new computer (insert happy dance here). We have had Nick's computer he bought in 2003 for college and it is slow as molasses. Blogging with that thing is nearly impossible without feeling like I need to throw it out a window. Now I can sit and watch my girlies play and write about them - among other things. :)
Speaking of my girls, Eden turned 3 on April 24th. It was an emotional week for me. Just thinking about the fact that I have a 3-year-old gets me weepy. I still remember her as a baby and just can't believe how big she is. We celebrated with friends and family with a "zoo" themed party (Eden's idea). Parties around here are always a lot of work and I was determined not to stress myself out with this one. Nick and I decided on a budget for the party and tried really hard to stick with it. It's so easy to spend a lot on birthday parties (at least for me) and it's really not necessary. What's important is that the birthday girl and her friends have fun. The part I love (and usually go overboard) is getting to decorate. My Sister-in-law shared with me about a lady on etsy who makes customized birthday decorations. You send her the information and she creates a document that she sends to you with all the decorations. You print them, cut them out, and put them together. It's extra work on my part, but totally worth the price tag. I spent about $40 on the invitations, all decorations, and thank-you cards (that includes stamps too). I knew I wanted to go with this idea so I ordered it about 2 months in advance and worked on it little by little throughout the weeks before the party. The week of was busy, but not really stressful (which was my goal).
Here are some party pics...

The tin buckets were filled with animal crackers and goldfish...

Food Table - we served hot dogs, chips & dip, and yummy fruit salad. Isn't that frog the coolest?? My Aunt put that together and brought it for the party!

Dessert Table

Paw Print Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes....yum!

Lion Cake Bites

Bear Cake Bites

Presents

Party Hats

Dash is my in-laws dog who made a surprise visit to the party...Eden and Dash are best buds so it was a fun treat for her!

Eden got a sand box from Nana & Pawpaw and it was a party pleaser for sure!!

Bounce House Fun!! Our good friends, the Merritts, let us borrow this really awesome bounce house...thanks again guys!!

E with "Khaki" (Cathy) and GG

Sweet friends and family...

Opening Presents

Elephant Peanut Hunt

Cousin Cayden

Blowing out her candles! YAY...THREE!!!

In other Vann news, my twinsies are getting so big. If you can believe it (because I can't) they are 10 months!! Both officially started crawling about 2 weeks ago. Man is life different with 2 crawling babies. I'm actually glad they started this new phase because they were getting bored easily not being able to get around and do what they want. I would constantly have to switch them from activity to activity and they were getting so tired of the exersaucers. Now they can move freely about the house playing with what they want to. It's definitely a challenge keeping them from getting things or doing things they aren't suppose to, but they are definitely a little happier being "free" to do what they want. Last weekend, I went through all of Eden's toys and removed all things that were too small for babies, so now I'm not worried about them playing in Eden's things. Eden however is having a hard time letting the babies play with her. She thinks they are after her and all they do is take stuff from her. Haha. We are learning to SHARE - an interesting phase for sure. It is so funny to see their little personalities really coming out.

McKenna - Isn't that picture adorable?? She loves to swim!!