Chase's 2nd Birthday/Jason's Surprise Birthday Party!!

Let me start off by saying that I cannot believe I have a 2 year old already.  Time really does fly.  I also cannot believe how smart he is!  He can say the ABC's, can point out to all of the letters in his own name, counts to 20, and knows tons and tons of words (and more and more each day)!  He weighs 25 pounds and is 34.5 inches long with a 19 inch head (I use my blog to remember things... so I have to blog these important facts).  He is an incredibly spunky and active kid with a huge personality for sure!

Okay...enough bragging :)  Chase's birthday was the 28th of January, and so we had planned on having his football themed party here at the house on the 29th.  What Jason didn't know, is that we would also be celebrating his 30th birthday, which is coming up around the corner on February 15th.  I started working on this project before Christmas, picking the theme and who we were planning on inviting, and making the invitations.  With a little bit of creativity and help from google searching, I was able to pull off my creative vision for the football "ticket" invitations (which Jason saw and knew about) and then the special "VIP passes" to notify people of Jason's birthday surprise.

 This is a copy of the invitation... included info on the "game time", RSVP to "coach" Larsen, wear your favorite team colors or jersey, at Larsen Stadium, and a failure to RSVP will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct.

This was the additional lanyard VIP pass notifying people of the Jason portion of the party

The party was a work in progress over the month of January because I made many of my own banners to customize the party and keep costs down, as well as making my own cakes and cupcakes.  I definitely had to do a practice run cake, as it was the first time I used a Wilton pan, and made a chocolate cake from scratch.  Luckily, my creations all turned out fabulously!  

Chase went to preschool on Friday the 28th to celebrate his big day with his school friends, so Mommy worked hard baking and decorating ALL day.  I was beginning to think how silly it was putting up all of these crazy decorations, until I picked Chase up from school... he came in the front door, gasped with wide eyes and shouted, "It's a birthday party!!"  Of course we were all very excited to hear his excitement and this Mommy knew right then and there that the party, all of my planning, and hard work were more than worth it.  Obviously, he will not always be a little boy and give me such a genuine reaction of happiness...I will cherish this birthday memory forever!

 These were my "penalty flag" lollipops...which are blowpops wrapped in yellow napkins

 the cupcakes

 made to look like grass

 this was a home made decoration. Little "D fence" signs interchanged with football plays on the football field

 the cakes!

 the food spread, complete with hand made pennant signs!

 the other side of the food spread

a family picture of the ref, birthday boy, and "coach"

singing happy birthday!! YAY!

Eating an extra large piece of chocolate cake...he devoured it!!

 the dining room and all the presents!

some penalty flags strung about for decor

 Some more decorative penalty flags

 Jason's gift from me.... four boxes of Count Chocula which is IMPOSSIBLE to find!

 Thankyou, Hometown Favorites!

He had to have a bowl IMMEDIATELY!

Such a great birthday party all around!!!  We were so blessed to have over 50 of our friends and family to celebrate for the occasion, including Jason's parents and grandpa Larsen who were able to come spend a few days with us for the big occasion.  It really was SO much fun!!  Football themed birthday party = success!!

Chase's FIRST haircut!!

Well, we are two weeks shy of his 2nd birthday, and Chase finally has enough hair (barely) for a first haircut.  Now, Jason thought he was growing a mullet, but the kid was barely starting to curl on the sides and in the back...Maybe this haircut will stimulate a little bit of growth!!!  I took a few pictures to capture this kodak moment, and of course...a short video.  Enjoy!!

 The Front of our snow covered house for the first big snow!

 Daddy and Chase playing in the winter wonderland

 the first few snips!!

 Mommy bribed Chase with fruit snacks... success!!

Our handsome little guy with his new look!

A Day In the Life of Chase Larsen

My child is a wild maniac pretty much 90% of the day.  When daddy gets home from work, Chase is all about running around, acting crazy, and rough housing.  Here is a little video of our evening last night... pretty typical Chase around 7 pm!  He likes to sing, so I had him do a few songs, and of course, we get him talking about his baby sister :)  Yesterday afternoon, Chase refused to nap and by the end of the "nap" he was calling for Mommy.  After a few minutes of "Mommy" Chase totally surprised me and changed it up with "Kim... Kim.... Kim!..."  I thought it was hilarious!  Who knew that he knows my name is Mommy and Kim.  So when I went in there, I asked him if he knew Daddy's name...sure enough, he said "Jason" like, duh Mom.  I had him repeat it for Jason prior to taping, and he said it, but of course would not say it for me when I was taping...still hilarious :) Super cute for a 23 month old, I think!

Happy 2011!

Since the new year has begun, I figured I would also get a fresh start on my blogging... Clearly, it has been a while... So, my official New Year's Resolution: be a better blogger in 2011!

Since 2011 just began, I really only have one thing to blog about- Christmas, of course!  We headed to Chesterton Indiana for the week of Christmas, but before we went we were able to enjoy "Carolina Christmas" in Concord NC together as a family.  It was held at the Speedway and is the largest lights display in the US!  VERY cool to say the least.  Reynolds Park was child's play in comparison!  I now have a new favorite standard to go by when it comes to lights displays.  Along with the lights display, there was also a Christmas carnival going on.  Chase was able to enjoy a few fun rides and a real live Bethlehem Village Nativity (complete with camels, sheep and ox)  SUPER fun!  I hope we make it back next year!!

 Carousel Fun with Mommy!

Cars going around in a circle, what could be better?!

That same weekend, we celebrated Christmas with Sara, Matthew, and Hunter who came up to spend the night with us.  It was so much fun watching the boys open gifts!  Of course, this mommy wasn't so prepared with her camera and missed out on some serious Kodak moments...thankfully, Aunt Sara took some :)

Chase also "opened" the tool bench gift that he got from grandma and grandpa Larsen.  He absolutely LOVES it!

On the 23rd we packed up our (very heavy) suitcases and flew to Chesterton Indiana!  This is our last trip home for quite some time, so we definitely tried to make the most of it and see as many people as we could.  Christmas Eve was spent at my Aunt Claudia's and Uncle Pete's house... a tradition for several years now.  Chase had a blast and thought his cousin Jonah was just the coolest!  We had great food and so much fun with the family!

 Grandpa, Me, Chase and Jason

 Grandpa and Chase

 Chase and his new BFF, Jonah

Great Grandpa, Chase and I

After Aunt Claudia's, we dropped off sleepy Chase and Daddy, and Dad and I went to midnight mass to watch my mom sing in the choir (and praise the birth of our Lord of course!!)  It was beautiful music and a great end to the evening!

Christmas was spent at my mom's house.  Great Grandma and Grandpa came over with Aunt Bun, along with Uncle Rob, Katie and Aaron.  We had a fun time watching Chase rip through present after present... he was mostly interested in opening the gifts.  As he started he would say "let's see what's inside!"  Of course, as soon as it was opened, the novelty wore off and he was onto his next unwrapping adventure... too cute!  Sadly, I got NO pictures of great gma and gpa with Chase, or Uncle Aaron and Aunt Katie... this is what happens when you have pregnancy brain and chase around a nearly 2 year old!

  

 Chase admiring the Bears hat that Aunt Katie knitted!

A very tired Chase, and Mommy

Grandma and Grandpa Larsen came up on the 26th to spend a couple of days with Chase!  Of course, crazy Grandma jumped right in and took Chase out to play in the snow.  He enjoyed it as long as he didn't touch it with his bare hands.  Several times he told us how cold the snow was.  We had a mini Larsen Christmas exchange and watched Chase open more fun presents!  It was really awesome of Jason's parents to come up and see us while we were home since we were so close!  Thankfully, grandma and grandpa will be coming for Chase's birthday in January, so we will be seeing them again soon!

 Both crazy grandmas with Chase

 First, grandma brought the snow into Chase

then we finally made it outside!

We spent another day with my dad hanging out and eating amazing food.  Then spent another day with my mom and Bruce going to Bellaboo's and Family bowling.  Along the week, I hit the outlet mall for some shopping and Jason and I got to go on TWO dates: Wagner's Ribs one night, and Lucrezia's and saw The Tourist the second night.  We haven't been to a movie in over a year, so it was nice to go!  I know I will miss being home for a long while, but we were all ready to come back to our lives here in SC.  

 Chase LOVED the train room...we visited it twice

 Mommy loved the grocery shopping area :) SO cute!

 the water table, where we stayed surprisingly dry

 Mommy Chase and Gma at "cooking in the kitchen" as Chase enjoys the snack he made!

 attempt #107 at a family picture... all failed

Grandpa and Bear at Family Bowling!