Brighton's 3rd Birthday Party

It's no surprise to anyone that Bright wanted the Cars theme for his party. However, he has been telling me for months that he wanted a Cozy Cone cake. Translation = he wanted his cake to look like one of the cones from Sally's Cozy Cone Motel in the movie.





Brighton's first two birthday parties were at Mimi's with his family, but he told me that he wanted to have this one in Springfield with his friends.

Mimi came down for the party, too!

Due to his extreme affection of the movie Cars, Bright also really likes anything Route 66. So to go along with the theme, we held his party at the Route 66 Cafe, which is an original diner sitting on the old mother road of Route 66.

Bright had such a good time with his friends playing games.



And, of course, opening presents.

Brighton is Three!!!

Brighton turned 3 years old today. I can't believe how fast it has gone, he is getting so big. His party is tomorrow, but we let him open some presents today.

There must be cake on your birthday, so I made him a small one to enjoy today.

He wanted to go to Silver Dollar City for his birthday, so we headed south. However, he fell asleep on the way there and wouldn't wake up. So, he spent the first part of the time at the park like this...

He did eventually wake up and get to enjoy it. Mimi even went on a ride with him!

Rigley's 1st Birthday Party

Rigley had his 1st Birthday party at Mimi's house in Bethany so that he could celebrate with family.

The kids waiting for it to be time to eat the cake - especially the polka dots!

Rigley wasn't quite sure what to think of his cake.

He decided he'd try it. Hmmm... not bad!

Going back for another round!

I was quite surprised that he liked it so well! He had no interest in the cake we used for his one year pictures and barely touched the one I made him on his actual birthday at home. His daddy says he didn't like that one because it was organic with no refined sugar!

After practicing at home on his birthday, Rigley is a pro at opening presents! If he got stuck, though, his cousins were there to lend a hand. :)

The boys with Grandpa

Testing out the new Cars cup from Grandma Dixie

My baby is ONE!

My baby boy turned one year old today! It's amazing how quickly it goes by, it seems like just the other day that the nurses and doctor were making guesses on how much he would weigh! (No one came close, Rigley held his 9 lbs 10 oz well!) We just celebrated at home as his party will be at Mimi's later.



After cake, Rigley opened presents. Daddy & Brighton had to help him at first.

It didn't take long, though, before he got the hang of it!
There were lots of breaks to play with new toys.


This was his reaction when Daddy brought out his big gift...
a kitchen!


Rigley has been through so much his first year of life, but he is doing so well. He cruises along the furniture and will walk while holding your hands (with and without his brace!). Rigley doesn't let his brace slow him down; he is incredibly quick while crawling in it and can even climb into the rocket at the play area with it on!

Rigley is also talking quite well. While he has a number of words that sound alike to the untrained ear, Mommy & Daddy can tell what it is that he is saying!
He can say:
-mama
-dada
-milk (muh)
-book (buh)
-ball (bah)
-brother (duhduh)
-dog (dahdah)
-Shocker (shahshah)
-shoes (shuuz)
-that (dat)

Photo shoot

I was trying to get a picture of Rigley to use for his birthday party invitations. He apparently wanted to show me how well he could display the whole range of emotions!

Brighton Nelson: Photographer

Brighton has many skills besides his ability to do kickin' personal training sessions. He has also developed an interest in photography. Here is a sample of his portfolio.