...and then my baby turned one

 Emmett pulled out a blog book I published a couple years ago this morning and it was so neat reliving so many memories and moments I'd forgotten (and sharing ones with Emmett he wasn't even around for yet!) And I kicked myself thinking Poor Tate, he's hardly made on appearance on here. So I'm going to dedicate this post to all things Taters.

We celebrated Tate's 1st birthday in both Idaho AND Utah which was so awesome! Not only were we able to party with both sides of the family, but also some of my very best friends. I love that even though we've been spread out, my college roommates and I have been able to be at so many big events for each other (baby showers, birthday parties, holidays etc).  Celebrating a special day is 100 times better when you're celebrating with loved ones!

The Idaho Celebration


And here's his birthday party in Utah

 

That's a whole lot of partying!!! Tate may be lacking on the blog presence but he can't say we neglected his birthday! (Is it sad that I'm so used to  my iphone, my writing feels incomplete without emojis?? Anywho...)

Tate is such a sweet, tender hearted baby. He's a momma's boy and he thinks big brother is the absolute coolest. The first thing he does when he wakes up in the morning is look for Emmett - if he's asleep he runs and throws himself on him, and if he's awake he squeals and takes off to join him.

He LOVES to eat and will eat anything, In fact I have to stop myself from creating a "golden boy" because every night when I'm trying to get Em to eat his dinner (yes, EVERY night, the boy refuses to eat), I say "Look, Tate ate all HIS dinner, and he likes it." If anyone in the house is eating ANY thing at ANY given moment, Tate can sense it and will be at your feet begging like a puppy dog in seconds. Drop any on the floor on accident? All the better, he'll gladly pick it up. If you don't share, his begging quickly turns to a meltdown - which will continue until he's given food. And it has to be the food you're eating, you can't pull the wool over his eyes.

He does NOT like when Emmett takes something he had first, and uses me as his attack dog. He gives me "the look" or comes running to me babbling his complaint, then looks at Emmett like "You weren't supposed to do that and now you're gonna get it!" The antics between these two are downright hilarious. They're just two little best friends.

Happy first birthday Tate, I can't imagine our family without you and I love you to pieces!!! Now just stay little ;-)

birthday shebang and visitors

October was stuffed to the brim with visitors and birthday celebrations (basically it was awesome. Top it off with Halloween and it's a pretty good contender for the best month of the year!) Also yes, I'm just now writing about October. oops.

It's midnight and I was doing some late night web surfing, then thought "what are you doing! You have at least five blog posts that need to be written! So I'm going to try and condense at least two of them into one here.

 My dad surprised my mom with a ticket out to visit us for her birthday! Of course with a sweet little babe she'd barely gotten to meet (between the NICU and short trip at his birth) there was nothing she wanted more. I'd heard really good things about The Coffee Shop and its right near the airport. So as soon as I picked her up we headed straight over! It may be one of my favorite places here so far. It's totally my kind of place - similar to Kneaders but more of a hipster/urban feel to it. Very coffee shop-esque. A coffee shop/bakery/grill. They serve gourmet sandwiches, wraps, and do breakfast too. Afterward we walked around the grounds - it's out in a cool farm area called Agritopia.

The following day was my moms birthday and we made sure to pack it full. We started it off with the firefighters breakfast and then came home for a bit, headed to Oregano's for lunch (and a free birthday pazookie of course!), then were off the Phoenix zoo!

This guy was a favorite

But after seeing him yawn, we quickly decided we wouldn't want to get on his bad side.

Right?!?!

Emmett got to have lots of time playing with Gramby in his playroom, and we made sure to hit up the hot tub a couple times. When it was time to say goodbye, we were all sad. We sure love Gramby and are so happy we got to spend her birthday with her!

The next weekend was MY birthday, and it just so happened it was the weekend of a cheap flight for my sister Kirsten! The coffee shop was such a success the first time, we (I) couldn't help making a pit stop on the way home again. Well actually The Coffee Shop is in the same place as Joe's Farm Grill (another delicious place that was on Food Network's Diners, Drive ins, and Dives). And Joes Farm Grill gives you a whole free meal on your birthday. So we went there first and split my birthday meal then walked over to the Coffee Shop for dessert.

This burger may look ordinary but it was topped with sauteed mushrooms and fresh blue cheese crumbles... it was delish.

Good thing we split our cupcake, cause when Jared come home from work he surprised me with this torte from Wildflower Bakery -which I'd never been to but am now a big fan!

Love this boy!!

Here's what the inside looked like... Yum. The bottom layer was like a soft homemade english toffee. And all that thick cream on top was heavenly. Almost cheesecake-ish

Oh and I forgot to mention that we went to Verizon the night before and picked out my birthday present!!

That's right, I joined the modern world and FINALLY got a smart phone!!! Ive been waiting for so long! And just like everyone says, I now don't know how I used to do without it! (Not sure that that's a good thing) Anyhow, I was beyond excited and love the cute buttercup yellow color!

That night we got MORE free food at Joe's Real BBQ (yes its the same Joe as Joe's Farm Grill. He does real well around these parts. And for good reason. His food is ahhhmazing). Gee on this post I'm realizing it seems like we just ate and ate and ate the entire day long... which I guess we did! 

Kris and I got up early on Saturday and headed out to Nordstrom Last Chance where we cleaned up with my birthday money! We then headed over to Scottsdale to Sprinkles Cupcakes which I've always wanted to try! 

I don't know if I can say it was without a doubt the best cupcake I've ever put in my mouth... but it was pretty darn good! You can tell its made with much finer ingredients than the average cupcake. 

That evening we went to my ward halloween party, but I'm saving that for the next post :)

I was so lucky to have family here on/around my birthday, cause really that was the best gift I could have asked for! I love them and miss them so much and had the best time partying it up and eating ourselves sick. haha what are birthdays for?! Emmett was beyond thrilled as well. Thanks to everyone who called, texted or left a facebook message for me - you all added to the wonderful day! 

bon anniversaire a mon ami

A couple weeks ago we celebrated Jared's 27th birthday. I know such a baby, right? I always love to remind him I'm SO much older (a full 8 months) ;) We had only been down in Arizona for a couple weeks, so we didn't really know many people to celebrate with, but we still made sure to party!

I baked a Vanilla Tres Leches cake for his big day which ended up being a little more involved than I anticipated, but turned out soo good! Emmett and I surprised him with it when he got home from work, and I'm not sure who was actually more excited - Jared or Emmett!

See that gorgeous watch he's sporting? That was his birthday present from Emmett and I!

Emmett had been patiently waiting all day to eat the cake we slaved over.  And was just as excited as could be to help blow out the candles.

Project Tres Leche (Pronounced in a Puss in Boots accent) was a success! 

A couple friends informed us off all the restaurants around us that provide FREE dinner on your birthday! So we MAY have hit up not one, but TWO of them! (Next day's work lunch for Jared!!) haha. We're all about free things!

I'm so grateful for Jared and all he does for our family. I feel lucky to embark on all life's adventures with my best friend :) 

trucks, tools, and tractors, oh my!

Our little bug turned THREE last Saturday. I still can't believe it. It was only fitting to throw him a "truck party" since he worhips anything with an engine. Particularly rescue vehicles lately - firetrucks, police cars, helicopters, ambulances.. they fascinate him. He knew his truck party was coming, and asked me every morning the preceding week if it was here yet :)

I was particularly proud of his birthday cake. His face lit up with excitement when I showed it to him. The trick was getting him to leave it alone until the party started!

His favorite activity is just some good ole fashioned playtime with friends, so we turned on his favorite DVD (Truck Tunes), pulled out his train set and his bin of cars and trucks, and let the boys go wild. I had plans for another favorite pastime of his, play doh, but once the boys were playing with their vehicles - there was no distracting them.

He was overwhelmed by all his fun presents, and didn't know which ones to play with! He cleaned up quite nicely: a web-shooting spiderman glove, silly string, a slinky, a sticky hand, a nerf gun, Cat in the Hat book and stuffed animal, ParaNorman DVD, Lightning McQueen dishes, a chainsaw with googles, a Tonka rescue "copter", and a trampoline!! Talk about a lucky boy!!

I love this picture!

We had a fun game of "Pin the Stop Sign on the Construction Site". There is actually a designated spot it was supposed to go on, but one of the boys covered it.

And then Emmett got to blow out his special cupcake. He just kept spinning in a circle looking at everyone singing to him with the biggest grin on his face. He was beyond happy. It was the cutest thing.

But perhaps the best part of the party, was watching Emmett sneak up and pelt Jared and my Dad with his Silly String :)

The party was a success and Emmett had a blast (which of course was the ultimate goal). Now I just have to come to terms with the fact my baby is another year older.

Sure do love this guy

ladies and gentleman, the greatest show on earth

I had high expectations for my 27th birthday celebration, and I think they were well lived up to. I threw a murder mystery party, and since I have a fascination with the circus, that was naturally the theme. Plus since it was the weekend before Halloween I thought it would make for some great costumes (and I was right!)

So Ladies & Gents, I present to you....The Hargrove Family Circus

 

 Here we are in all our glory, Harold & Matilda Hargrove (the Circus Owners)

Many tasty concessions were served, and each character's objectives were given out

Then the mingling / crime solving began

 

From top left: The Strong man and the Tightrope walker, The Trapeze Artist, The FBI Agent, The Tattooed Man and the Skinny woman, the Clown (AKA the Murderer!), the Knife Thrower and Sword Swallower

The Trapeze Artist Part II, The Ringmaster and his assistant FuManchu, The Deputy and the Animal Trainer, The Ticket Taker and the Lion Tamer, The Clown murdering Ariel Swinger, Animal Trainer(again) with the Acrobat

And a few more family shots for good measure. 

It was such a fun and memorable night, and I am so grateful to have such wonderful friends and family to share it with. I live for hosting big events, so everyone making time and participating was the perfect gift. It's going to be hard to top this one!

birthday boy

Since the Shrektacular was the weekend after Emmett's birthday, we had to do a little bit of celebrating on the actual day of course. Emmett and I started the day by going on a special run to Kneader's (home of the best french toast EVER) and got a plate to split.

His favorite part was the whipped cream and strawberries that came on the side.

When Jared got home from school in the afternoon, we took Emmett to Provo Beach Resort where he played in the the toddler playgym and even did a couple arcade games.

                       
The Ericksons stopped by to give him his birthday present a few days later

....which was a lawnmower! We're hoping it will substitute for the doll strollers he loves so much (Jared refuses to buy him one! sad, right?)