Lots to Celebrate

Over the weekend, my husband and I flew to attend the first birthday party of our oldest grandson, Will-John. He was named after his two grandpas.
The lime green party invitations focused the party theme and color scheme.
Zoo animals,
zebra print,
and bright colors followed.
Rachel thought of everything...from favor bags with a toy animal for each child...
to Ghirardelli-chocolate-filled favor bags for the adults.
The kitchen was decorated with blue candles and pink peonies.

On the island was a display of individual baby photos plus three--that's right three--albums, Rachel put together of Will-John's first year.
Brunch was served in the dining room where paper pompoms by Martha Stewart were suspended from the ceiling.
For dessert, guests moved to the hearth room where chocolate fondue for dipping fruit and homemade chocolate and vanilla cupcakes waited. Because the birthday boy has barely tasted anything with refined sugar, he found the cupcakes worth the wait!
When Rachel, her sister, and brother were little, I coordinated colors, cake, and napkins for their birthday parties. But Rachel's party for Will proved the saying: "What you do in moderation, your children will do in excess." Even Will-John's blue outfit with zebra motif coordinated with the party theme!

As all four grandparents watched Rachel and Curt this weekend, we celebrated the adult parents they have become. The day after Will-John's birthday, they promised to bring him up to know and love the Lord...just as their parents had done for them.