Aiden's Pumpkin Party {1st Birthday}

Thank you Erin for designing Aiden's party invitations!

Since Aiden is our little Halloween baby, I knew I wanted the theme of his first birthday to be festive and very seasonal so I used candy corn and pumpkins as my inspiration. Aiden loves being outside and loves our (almost daily) walks to the park around the corner from us so I thought the park picnic shelter would make the perfect party spot! (Especially since our house is currently under some construction.)

I worried all week that it would be cold and wet, but the weather was just fine. It could have been a few degrees warmer, but since Chili was on the menu it was the perfect "chili" day.

I kept the menu simple. I had a few different chilis, Cornbread muffins and some veggies and then had fun with the sweets table. I made Candy Corn Popcorn Balls and seasonal pies. Then the tables had a festive trail mix as part of the centerpiece.

I kept the decorations simple and used burlap table runners, hay bales and lots of real pumpkins. I of course made the progression of monthly pictures into a banner as well and had that hanging up. Other than that I had a few of Aiden's 1 year pictures framed, set out his memory book and that was about it. The setting of his party made it pretty easy. One thing I loved was my little circle of hay bales. I wanted Aiden to have a place to play that was enclosed. We also sat in the hay bale circle to open all of Aiden's gifts. We called it his hay bale corral. Ha.

I decided to make Aiden's cake myself and he loved it. My kid is serious about his dessert! He was very focused as he ate and kept saying "MMMmmmmm" after every bite!

Waving and saying "Hi!" to everyone watching him eat his cake! Too cute!

We were so blessed by all the people that came out to celebrate our precious little man with us. Aiden had both of his Great grandma's there, which was extra special and several of his Aunts and Uncles traveled from out of town to celebrate with us! My Dad even showed up with his videocamera to record the event. Aiden is one loved little man!

And it's nap time...

We had such a wonderful day celebrating our boy...our ONE year old boy!

The Cutest Baby Harry Potter I Ever Did See

Our Halloween this year was one I will never forget. It was a full day since we had Aiden's first birthday party earlier that afternoon, but Aiden did awesome! He is such a laid back little guy and was such a trooper keeping his costume on (glasses and all) and pushing through even though he was probably exhausted not to mention he was also cutting his first tooth!

I knew early on what I wanted Aiden to be for Halloween. It only made sense that he be Harry Potter since I read all the books while I was pregnant with him. I can honestly say he is the most adorable baby Harry Potter I have ever seen. I didn't want to stop taking pictures of his cute face.

Being that it was Aiden's first time Trick or Treating, some of his Aunts and Uncles came over to hang out. A few of them even got into character themselves! My Mom, Grandma and Aunt even swung by the neighborhood and drove alongside us. I think Aiden might be loved...a little bit.

Our neighbors absolutely loved seeing Aiden in costume and he made out pretty well with his candy stash. I was surprised to see him actually grab candy out of the candy bowls that were offered to him. He became so attached to an unopened Milky Way candy bar that he had to push his walker one handed up a hill. He apparently has his Mama's love for chocolate.

It was a magical night and we had so much fun taking our boy Trick or Treating for the very 1st time.

Do you still dress up for Halloween?   I plan to milk family costumes for as long as possible!

Candy Corn Popcorn Balls

If you are like me, you bought way too much candy corn and are now trying to figure out what the heck to do with it all besides eat it by the handful. So today I am sharing a fun way to use up all that candy corn!

Ingredients:
Makes 6 popcorn balls
1 bag microwave popcorn
1 bag Kraft Caramels (unwrapped)
1/2 cup candy corn (or more if that's what your heart desires)
2 Tablespoons Water (plus more to wet your  hands before forming popcorn balls)

Instructions:
1.) Pop the popcorn and remove all extra unpopped kernels
2.) Place popcorn in a large bowl
3.) Add candy corn to bowl
4.) Put unwrapped caramels in a medium saucepan, add water and turn on medium heat
5.) Continuously stir caramels so caramel doesn't burn
6.) Once caramel is melted, pour over popcorn
7.) Stir caramel, popcorn and candy corn together until mixed well
*Don't skip this next step...wet hands make all the difference when forming the popcorn into balls!
8.) Lightly dampen your hands with water and then begin forming balls with the popcorn mixture
9.) Add a festive straw to the top of your popcorn ball
10.) Place on wax paper to allow to harden
11.) Eat up! Yum.

Another easy way to use up your candy corn is to make a festive trail mix.
Do you have any other fun ways you use up your halloween candy?

Aiden is ONE! {1 year pictures}

My baby is O-N-E! We had so much fun celebrating his birthday on Saturday and I can't wait to share pictures from his party! In the meantime, here are some of my favorite pictures from Aiden's 1 year photoshoot. How does he keep getting cuter and sweeter and funnier and...okay I'll stop.

We just couldn't be more in love with our little Halloween baby.