1/2 a decade under her belt

"Live in the present because soon the present will become the past"

Sorry about the flash...me and my 5 year old!

This is so true...my sweet baby girl, my 1st born is now 5 whole years old!  She is so proud of it too!  It is amazing how the years have flown by!  But, enough about how sad I am....on to the celebration of 5 sweet years of life!  

Chloe turned 5 on Tuesday, September 6th (at 9:28am--to be exact).  We decided to celebrate her birthday that day with a small get together and cake!  We ate pizza at Don and Sandy's house and visited with The Combs Crew too!  We went ahead and let Chloe open her treats from us.  We got her a Barbie Tablet (set up kind of like a little IPAD) because she is obssessed with Blake's.  I figure if she wants to "play" with it, then the learning benefit will be a good thing too!  We also got her a Barbie 'boom box' and a Taylor Swift CD.  She has listened to the CD every night since...thankful for a good role model that my little girl can look up to!  Chloe ended the night by telling me it was the best birthday ever.  Though she and I might butt heads, she really melts my heart.

Chloe and CKC

The girls and Uncle Scottie

Daddy with the kiddos

My Mom picked Chloe up on Thursday and spent the afternoon with her.  They ate dinner at Rafferty's and Mom gave her a few birthday treats as well!  She got her a Barbie Jeep that she LOVES and a kid friendly camera because Chloe has been crazy about taking pictures on my phone lately.

My Dad plans to pick her up this evening and let her pick out her own treat at Toys R Us.  I know she will just love that!  It will be a good time for them to spend together and catch up!

The BIG party is planned for Saturday at Action Gymnastics!  We are so excited.  It will be a double party with our buddy Addison.  They are 1 day apart in age!  The kids will have some time to play in the gym and we will do cupcakes too!  Chloe and Addison are looking forward to it!  

So far, 5 has been good to Chloe...looking forward to spending many more birthdays with this sweet face!

So much to catch up on....

Let's first start with my birthday festivities.  The week of my birthday, I was thinking Blake and I were going to have a low key dinner on Friday.  He had arranged everything...babysitter, reservations, etc.  All I was told is that we were to be in Nashville by 7:45.  So, to my surprise :), he was rushing me out the door at 6:15.  I was a little confused to say the least.  First stop, dropping off the kids at Grandy and Jenks' house.  

So I quickly get the kids loaded and grab their bags.  On the way over there (a few minute drive), I noticed Blake kept looking at his phone...I thought it to be strange, but didn't think too much about it.  Well, as we got closer to Blake's parent's house, he said "this is going to be a different kind of birthday!"  When we pulled into the neighborhood, there stood a large crowd of my friends and family...just waiting for us to arrive.  I was completely shocked.  I couldn't believe it!  They were all there to celebrate with me!  I was in pure shock for about an hour...nothing like this has ever happened to me.  Blake did an amazing job coordinating everything...with the sneaky help of my best friend, Brittnye!  

We had a few cocktails, visited, ate birthday cake and then headed outside...to my next surprise.  Blake had lined up a Limo for us to ride to Nashville in!  I was thrilled!  We all loaded in and headed to dinner at Cantina Laredo followed by a fun night at my favorite Nashville hot spot, The Big Bang!  If you live close to Nashville, please visit this place.  It's a dueling piano bar!  Needless to say, towards the end of the night, I was up at the piano having 'Happy Birthday' sung to me...a great night indeed!  Thanks Blake for a fabulous start to 28!!  I love you!

Here is the Birthday Photo Collection thanks to Casey & Betsy!

pulling up...

Surprise!  I love Chloe's expression in this picture!

Everyone...take 1

Have to have a little fun...take 2

My girl, we are 7 days apart...more on her birthday next!

The loves of my life!

The best friend a girl can ask for!

Blowing out the birthday candles!  Just 1 (for you, Amanda)!

The coordinator!  Thanks Babe!

Ready to hit the town!  Oh, there was a bunch of balloons waiting inside the Limo!  He really did think of everything! 

On our way... 

Everyone @ Cantina Laredo 

Jean & Amelia 

Yummy birthday cake with a sparkler...fun! 

On to The Big Bang on 2nd Avenue.... 

My photographer for the night, Betsy! 

On the stage for some Birthday singin'...good times!

 

Anyone that knows me knows I LIVE for Nashville Hot Dog Vendors!  Sadly, I didn't eat one this night...but had to stop for a photo-op! 

Impromptu stop at the gas station!

This really was the very BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!!  Here's to a happy 28th year!

NEXT, more on my sweet 5 year old's birthday celebrations...

A proud day!

Jenkins and Wynne received the Ford President's Award for the 7th time!  This is no easy task!  So proud of the business I work for and even more proud to be a part of the family that keeps it running day in and day out!  Check out the full article in the Leaf Chronicle!