Toy Story 2nd Birthday Party

For the boys' second birthday, we had a Toy Story themed party at home with lots of family and a few of the boys' closest buddies. It was a hot Saturday afternoon, but we had a great time! Here are a few pictures starting with their adorable Toy Story 2 (2 because they were turning 2) birthday cake made by the super talented, Janet Mayer, who also made the boys' birthday "sock monkey" cakes last year...

Janet made the cake (which was banana and chocolate!), and then I added all the figurines...it took weeks of shopping online to get all the characters I wanted "semi-affordably"!

If you look closely, Mr. Potato Head is actually a key chain...I chose that on purpose so that we can send it to Aunt Pat in New York (who adores the boys and collects key chains!) so she can have a "piece" of the boys' birthday cake. So, Aunt Pat, be expecting this in the mail soon!

I think Zurg is the only villain that made it on the cake...

Of course, we had to include Mr. Pricklepants! Surprisingly, Hamm and Slinky were hard to find!

The night before the party, after the boys went to sleep, Evan and I started decorating the house with balloons...

And during their nap on the day of the party, we put up the Toy Story decorations. Ben woke up first and was so excited to see Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the rest of the gang all over the house...

The sweet face of a 2-year old!

Guests started to arrive, so we went outside to get their new water table ready...

We decided it'd be a good idea to change the boys into their bathing suits...

Ben decided to go for a swing...

That smile melts my heart...

Cousin Claire and William playing with Bryce...

Aunt Beth went for a quick swim and played with the boys before heading out to Grant's next soccer game...

The bubble machines soon came out...

The  big boys getting showered with bubbles...

Next came the water balloons...

Laila picked a pink one for herself...

And, of course, Ben got yellow (the boys' favorite color)...

Cousin Audrey getting soaked...

We were so happy that Sam and his beautiful momma were able to make it to the party for a little bit! (Sam has a newborn baby sister at home keeping everyone very busy!)

Cake time! The boys went crazy trying to grab the figurines as soon as they saw their cake for the first time! We decided to skip the candles!

At that point, it was tough trying to keep the boys off the table!

I think Audrey was ready to eat some cake!

After everyone finished their cake, we started opening presents...

Stickers!

Audrey and Oma helping Ben open one of his presents...

Bryce checking out his new police car (with cake on his face)...

Ms. Laila came up to check out the boys' next gift...

More Disney Cars metal toy cars to add to the boys' collection...

Once the boys got a hold of their new Cars cars, there was no letting go! Here's Ben with two in his left hand while checking out his new Mater truck with his right...

Winston getting a close look at Mr. Potato Head...

Looks like the Mr. Potato Head set got all the little people's attention...

Pure excitement on Bryce's face as he pulled out a Disney Cars Mack Truck...

Winston trying out one of the Buzz Lightyear 4-wheelers...

Daddy showing Ben how to drive his new car...thank goodness, we have 14 more years before the real thing!

Traffic jam...

What an expression! I guess he's thinking, "Okay, dad, I know how to do this!"

Claire decided the boys' old baby car/walker is just as fun...

Bryce, still with cake all over his mouth, trying out his car...

We're having trouble trying to explain to the boys that they have to keep the power button pressed to get the car to keep moving...

Beautiful cousin Alivia watched safely from the sidelines...

I got to snap this picture of Winston and his parents before they left. I've known Winston's dad since the 6th grade, and about a year ago, we found out that we now live just a few miles from each other!

Great party...but, I'm sure glad we have almost a year before planning the next one!