Charlie’s First Birthday Party

I was so excited for Charlie’s birthday party! Normally this sort of thing would give me anxiety (I was stressed for weeks about his blessing day!). Don’t get me wrong, it was a lot of work, but I was at peace with the event and more excited than stressed. Once we decided on Mutual Dell and the reservation was successful, I couldn’t wait to share that day with family!

Jason and I are both from Utah...so we have lots and lots of family who live close by. We wanted to serve a BBQ dinner, and as much as we wanted to have everyone there...there was no way we could feed all our Utah relatives...and there was no way we could even start thinking about inviting our friends. We had to keep it more simple. We invited our immediate family and Utah grandparents (and the families that lived with them). That brought us to 25 people right there!

Cute party invitations I made using Pixingo! Check it out!

Luckily, we were offered so much help! Family members took care of the side dishes, tended Charlie while we prepared up the canyon, helped set up, helped BBQ the chicken, and helped clean up after the event. We couldn’t have done it without them!

George and Jason - grilling 60 chicken thighs! They were miracle workers!

The spread included BBQ chicken thighs, baked beans, watermelon, green salad, and chips.

These two love each other SO MUCH!

Me, Charlie, Aunt Erin, Darnel, and Uncle Fa'a

Kim, Camry, Aryana, Grandpa Arbon, Grandma Arbon, Dylan, Bryan, and Tyson 

(George and Darnel in the back)

Alese, Jason, Elsa, April, Karl, and David

Uncle Lloyd, Mya, Nancy, Alex, Grandma Gruber, and Aunt Jean

(Again, George and Dylan in the back...talking football I believe?)

The party was on Saturday, June 22nd, and it was such a success! It was so much fun and the weather was great! The food was awesome, just as we hoped it would be! Jason and I had spent a few days prior preparing 50+ cupcakes and Charlie’s smash cake. It was quite a task but I’m so thrilled with how they turned out. Everyone enjoyed the cupcakes, and Charlie REALLY enjoyed the smash cake. He especially loved massaging his fingers through the cake and frosting.

The cake in progress.

A double layer yellow cake, with a vanilla cream filling and vanilla frosting.

...some encouragement...

proud parents

The destruction

...and this is how it all went down...

Charlie was seriously spoiled with gifts! It was ridiculous! Charlie definitely needed an upgrade in the toy department and the family did not disappoint! Thank you everyone!

Plenty of present-opening helpers!

Yes, I know it is Charlie's toy...

Charlie, we love you and we can’t believe you are ONE!