Party in the Park!

What do you get when you put a one-year-old, two excited parents, four blessed grandparents and a gob of family and friends together? ..... A Party in the Park!!!

We all gathered to celebrate Brayden's First Birthday in the Old Poway Park on Saturday.. .and we had a blast! So many family and friends came to join in the celebration... not sure Brayden knew what to think about all the hoopla... we had the hot dogs on the BBQ, everyone brought some great side dishes to share, enjoyed the country festival music playing from the gazebo in the park, we had pie eating contest and a pinata to pop, we filled up the entire passenger car on the Train excursion around the park, got an extra lap just to sing Happy Birthday to Brayden, enjoyed Thomas The Train birthday cake, opened a flood of presents... but the best part was just being together making memories on a beautiful day in the park.

Holly had a great banner made for the occasion.....

We arrived early to help set up the banner and the pinata

Love this picture... like father, like son....

... and the cheese stands alone....

er uh... wait, I guess he's sitting...

While they were setting up, me and Brayden took a stroll around the park...

... he loved hanging out on the bridge watching the kids play in the creek below....

.... and of course watching the train continually circle the park!

.... benches that are just his height!

Friends from Murrieta (and Anaheim) came all this way... very special families.

Pandora loves  giving those belly kisses to Brayden!....

and think Brayden loves getting them too!

It brought back  memories of the first birthday of my first son..
so I tried to gett a self portrait of me and Allen.... tried..
guess one out of two aint bad...

Grandma D cuddles Brayden to see if he'll fall asleep...
He was already getting soo tired from all the activity!

Me and Auntie Claire... relaxing together..

 Love those self-portraits.... too much fun!

I think Noah's waiting for hot dogs... or maybe some cake....

Hey.. it's Barb and the twins, Jenna and Little Dave...

... and she does it... Brayen gives in and nods off to catch a few zzzz's

Why do we whisper around the house when he's sleeping???

Seems if he can sleep through train whistles and country singing,

he can sleep through anything!

OK time for pie eating contest....

The race is on... Caleb gets more whipped cream..

Who say's girls don't eat pie???

The winners are long done before everyone else...

 .
.. but then every one's a winner...

 ... even those who didn't get it all over their face..

Rebekah and Massey looking for some crumbs?

Allen and Brayden are having their own contest..
who can finish their drink first???
Cherry Coke vs Formula!

Pinata time.. Brayden gets first wack!

Then it's the kids turn...

Think this one does it.. here comes the candy.....

Grandma D shows Brayden the goods...

And Grandfather helps him collect them...

Then we all head over to the Train Station for an excursion around the Park...

Brayden's only 1 year old.. but this train is over 100 years old !!!!

Always love the Banner family photos.... and this is a keeper!

But we miss Geoff....

We tried to squeeze everyone into this shot...

33 people makes for a tight photo!

Even once on board couldn't get everyone in...but what a great looking group!

Where's Waldo.. I mean Brayden? Can you see him?

We were sitting across from Noah, Caleb and Rebekah...

so they took our picture...

Then we did the same!!...

I don't think Brayden ever got tired of pointing at that train.....

...and speaking of Trains... it's time for Cake!

Thomas was almost too cute to eat... almost.

Singing Happy Birthday to Brayden!

...and time for presents!!

He loves those books!! Good thing since mom's a teacher...

A very special gift, from a very special friend...
Little David passed down his very own Tonka truck to  Brayden!

 

... and he loves it!

..so many great friends, gave so many great gifts...each one is very special.

Brayden, still sitting in the Tonka truck... and is burried in love!

Brayden is thanking everyone....

actually he's just speechless!

He doesn't know what to play with first...

Ahhh.. here it is...

I think we have a winner...

Thanks everyone for sharing in Brayden's special First Birthday!!!

It's one we'll never forget!

xoxoxoxoxoxo