Austin's 2nd Birthday Party!

Austin's 2nd birthday party was on Saturday August 17th.  Aunt Ricki and Uncle Stephen were very very generous to host 32 family members at their house for their 2 year-old nephew's birthday party.  The kids played in the inflatable pool that Ricki purchased for herself and her girlfriends to use for laying out in the backyard.  We also set up the water table and the squiggly wiggly sprinkler.  It was a "cool" day in Houston (for August that is, a high of only about 92) so people were able to be both outside and inside.  Ricki made pulled pork, broccoli salad (with cheese, bacon, craisins, sugary mayo sauce....not healthy broccoli, but good!) and guacamole as an appetizer.  We also served hot dogs, potato salad, chips, watermelon, and veggies/hummus as an app.  I made a cake the night before with Ricki and Michelle's assistance.  My dad "Pop" and Michelle "Gram" were so sweet to come in from Dallas for the weekend and for the party.  The cake was inspired by Pinterest (my first time ever to consult there) - it was a vanilla cake with vanilla frosting made in a rectangle pan and successfully dumped out onto a platter and decorated (also a first).  It had a large 2 on it, which was made black by filling it with oreo crumbs, which was the asphalt.  I then drew white stripes on it with icing and outlined it in green.  I had found car/truck candles on amazon which served as the vehicles on the road.  We also served ice cream and "stop light" rice krispie treats.  Austin was not so sure about everyone singing to him with the candles but once he was served a piece of cake with ice cream, he was happy.  It was a really fun party and thank you to Aunt Ricki and Uncle Stephen for allowing us to invade your house. 

Chillin in the pool

The cake!

Construction hats for all the kids!

Yummy veggies and guac (Austin thoroughly enjoyed dipping cucumbers in ranch and just licking the ranch off without eating a single cucumber, see picture below)

Swimming with cousin Ann-bale (Annabelle)

Festive desserts

The "little" kids table - Austin, cousin Rhett (3 1/2), cousin Morgan (3 1/2) and Annabelle (almost 2 1/2)

Mom and me

Cousin Summer and cousin Mary

Digging into the cake!

Ranch dressing is delicious

A little nervous about the singing and staring

Just swimming with his truck

Fun cousins Ben and Summer

Swimming with Morgan

LaLa and her baby Tucker

All the kiddos in their hats (missing Annabelle who had to leave early)

The hostess, and Uncle Drew and Caroline

Caroline and Christina were so sweet to come

Uncle Scott and cousin Lisa - they were so sweet to come from Austin and bring BB!

Spraying Morgan with the sprinkler - up to no good!

Pop and Gram (notice the fun Austin had as evidenced by his shirt)

4 Generations - Austin loves his BB!

Fun on Ricki and Stephen's playground that came with their house

Enjoying a beer, except for Daddy who just looks funny

Jumping in the pool with Big Deal

Ben loved playing with Tucker

Mom, there is fire on my cake!

Fun in the sprinkler

Climbing up with Big Deal

Swinging with daddy

Grandad and Annabelle - cute!

Kiddos playing

I love Rhett's smile in this one

In the hats, one last time!