Ben's 2nd Birthday Party!

Welcome to the main event!! How is it possible that I have a two year old?! Time shifts into hyper-speed once you are a mom. You try not to miss a single second of their little lives and then you blink and they are two stinkin' years old! In doing this party I learned a lot about myself. I thought I was a good multi-tasker. Turns out that I am horrible at being a hostess, cook, server, event planer, photographer and mommy all at the same time. I did the best I could. At least I can say I enjoyed celebrating the day with Ben.

This is Ben right before the party started. He is about .2 seconds away from an absolute, total and complete meltdown because Daddy told him Uncle Jason was coming. Unfortunately, Jason was not the first one through the door. Which resulted in tears every time a guest arrived. How nice is that? Welcome to the party!





Our menu included: Hubcaps (buns), Spare tires (hamburgers), Parts (burger toppings), Coolant (drinks), and Dip sticks (french fries).

This is Ben and his buddy Brynner who came to the party to play. They had a great time, although I think Brynner was more excited about Skype-ing with the Texas grandparents than Ben was. It was fun to have another little person there. Ben is the only cousin in Utah currently. But not for long! (Hurry up and get here Sally, Adri, Weston and Calvin!!)

The famous Uncle Jason. I don't think Ben left his side for more than two seconds all night long!

This is Aunt "Chicken." Yes, you read right. Aunt Chicken. Ben can't say Kiersten for the life of him, and who can blame him. Kiersten couldn't say her own name until she was almost three! He LOVES playing hide and seek with her. In the above picture they are in one of his favorite hiding spots behind a chair.

Mommy and Daddy bought Ben a play rug with roads on it to drive his cars on. He is a very cautious driver and makes sure to stop at all the traffic lights and asks me when the light is green, "toon gween," so that he can go. He was sorely disappointed that the mat didn't come with a car wash. So we had to fashion one for him out of cardboard. So classy, but functional. (It doubles as a slide for his cars to go down too!)

Grandma and Grandpa Richens gave Ben a Mud Pie Mixing Station. It is awesome. The sink pumps water and he has his own mixer! Girly? Maybe a little. But now he can mix stuff in his very own mixer instead of trying to stick his hand in my KitchenAid!

What is a cake without some sprinkles?

Apparently we need to hone in our cooking skills. Looks like it didn't pass the taste test.

Scott is a major Jazz fan. So when we found a Korver jersey on clearance, it was a must have! Ben thought it was great to play "bath-ket ball" in his new jersey.

My baby is so grown up. It makes me happy and sad at the same time. He has been such a joy and such a trial at the same time. I know that I am a stronger, more compassionate, more loving and patient person because of him. I don't know how I will ever be able to thank him for helping me become the person I need to be in order to be his mother. I am so excited to see what our future holds and what adventures we have in store together. I love you with all my heart little man!