This Thursday Jordan turns SEVEN!  How can that be??  

We celebrated last Saturday with a --- what else??--- FROZEN theme.

I mentioned on Facebook last week that I'm glad I spent the last six months pinning ideas for the party, and decided to finally get started two days before the party.   But i guess I work best under pressure (maybe)...

The night before the party we got several inches of snow.  We woke up to a beautiful white canvas and Jordan was certain it was an early present from Queen Elsa!  (Todd who was shoveling the driveway... did not think it was a gift).

Here are a few decorations from the party:

And can I say THANK GOODNESS I have the two most amazing best friends in the world who helped me pull this off--- my friend Jennifer made the incredible Elsa castle cake, and my friend Melody (Carpenter Photo & Design) took all the photos in this post (all photos can be seen in my flickr gallery).  Seriously, what a gift and what awesome friends I have!

Ok, can we discuss this cake for a minute?

The details of this cake were ON POINT.  The ice crystals that mimicked Elsa's castle was just out of this world.

So along with Jordan's friends, there were two other special guests that came by--- can you guess?  Here are the girls faces when they came in the front door:

Anna and Elsa!!!!!!!!!  They were literally in awe!  (maybe I was too.....;)

You could hear a pin drop when they walked in.  Totally fascinated.  

Jordan was crowned Birthday Girl by Queen Elsa and all was right with the world.

Then, Anna and Elsa began to tell their story and sang EVERY song in the movie.

It was amazing!  They sang "Do You Want to Build a Snowman", "For the First Time in Forever", "Love is an Open Door", "In Summer", and of course, "Let it Go".   All of the favorites.

They danced with them, taught them to curtsey, twirl, and the princess wave.

The girls were literally entranced watching Anna and Elsa.

And they sang along to every.single.word.   See? :



and here during "Let it Go".  There sweet faces, oh my goodness.



Confession: I had to fight back the ugly cry several times during the party.  which was unexpected.   i DID NOT WANT TO BE THAT MOM.  the lip was for sure quivering, but I concealed, and didn't feel:).   but the sweetness of those girls.  oh my word, they did not miss a beat--- they knew every word and every motion.  priceless.

They just had the best time and it was SO much fun to watch Anna and Elsa interact with the girls.

Obligatory group shot.

We then headed into the dining room for lunch, face painting and CAKE!

Anna and Elsa NEVER broke character which was a riot.  One of the dad's stayed and he Facetimed his wife so she could see A&E and they were going CRAZY over his "magic mirror" (phone).  It was great.

Someone's dorky mom got a selfie with Anna and Elsa.  oh wait, that was me.  ahem.

Singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY.  Her face (!!)

Queen Elsa cut the first piece for Jordan.  

At the end of the party they sang a special song to Jordan.  Um can you see that Jordan is IN THE ZONE here and was totally focused on Anna.  It was awesome.

Alas it was time for them to return to Arendelle.   But not before hugs all around.

And by everyone, I mean ME too.  I totally hugged Anna and Elsa like a 7 year old.  NERD ALERT!!!!!!!

What a special day for my sweet girl!  She declared it the BEST DAY OF HER LIFE!!!  (and maybe mine too? lol).

(you can see more photos by clicking any photo to go to my flickr page)

Anna and Elsa: Happily Ever After Productions

Photography:  Carpenter Photo and Design

Cake: Jennifer Walls

my first trip to disney

So lately, (for reasons i can not yet share ;), i have Disney on. the. brain.

It is no secret I adore all things Disney.  Obsession is probably a more appropriate word.  I love the parks, the history, the facts, the business, the movies, the planning... all of it.

OBSESSED.

So i decided to dig a little and look into MY first ever Disney experience and review my first visit to the Walt Disney World Parks... from a three year olds perspective.  (see knee socks above)

Hello 1982.

Here is a three year old Jennifer Leigh Conner on her first trip to Walt Disney World.  I think there were three major childhood trips to Disney, but this was the first...one to treasure because it was just me and my parents.  yet, even though it just the three of us, and i have don't have many personal memories of this vacation.   however,  i wanted to offer a few personal observations as i reflect on these photos....

Observation #1: I met Brer Fox....  and my dad is rocking the white shorts.

this photo is such a gem.  my dad is 30-- six years younger than i am right now.  isn't it crazy to see photos of yourself with your parents when they are younger than you??  and also when they are wearing shorter shorts than what you current wear???!!! ....  GO DAD!  you are ROCKING this look...

Observation #2 : Meeting Peter Pan.  

I met Peter Pan.  But WHERE?  where am i here?  my geeky disney self is trying to figure out where I am in this photo.  (I'm thinking and nearly positive this is near the entrance of MK where Tony's restaurant is located).  But my mind is playing tricks on me because EPCOT opened a year before this photo and there is an EPCOT sign in the background, but c'mon, PETER PAN IS NOT IN EPCOT.  right????  right?   Problems of a Disney nerd.


Observation #3: Snow White loves me.  She really does.

It's true.

One of the major highlights on this trip was that Snow White came out for the parade, she saw me, and said "Ohhhhh!" AND GAVE ME THE FIRST BALLOON OF THE PARADE!!  (how can you not?  again, see knee high socks above)

P.S. does anyone notice that this is the SAME Peter Pan in the photo above?  this my friends, is 1982 Disney: where park characters are also parade characters only 5 minutes later.  just saying'!!

Observation 3.2  (via June 2014): Snow still love me.

See?
Ahem, Anyway.

Observation #4 : Mom got in the photo too

And i am so glad she did.  One of the few photos of the two of us on this trip.  I love that I am posing like my mom here.  Just like my mom, i too am always behind the camera.  However, I am so glad she got in the photo because I love this photo of us (and also i love the consistent white shorts theme:)....

Observation 4.2  :  The legacy lives on.

So here is twenty nine year old Jennifer Leigh Hufford, on her (approximate) fifth trip to Disney World.

She is at the same age her parents in the photos above and also experiencing taking her children to Disney for the first time.  Her husband Todd was likely holding the camera and caught this fine moment with Pooh... so glad I got in the photo.   The fun fact is that her mom and dad were also there to experience this sweet moment.

I get it. Taking toddlers and babies to Disney is hard.  And you wonder if they will remember it.  And you wonder if it's worth it.  And you wonder if there's enough luggage in the world to pack all the baby/toddler necessities.

But my goodness, even if your kids won't remember this trip, you will....

and that is 100% magic.

PROJECT LIFE WEEK 3

Today I am sharing week 3 in my 2015 album.



I have gotten a little behind in sharing my layouts--- life has been busy here lately!  I completed this last week and love the results.  I used the Elle's Studio February 2015 Kit (along with some other Elle's Studio goodies).  There were many loved themed items in this kit, but as you can see, I was still able to use tons of the kit for a January spread.  I love the versatility.



Our week was pretty much summed up with appointments, basement, Colts, friends, and typewriters. As you can see, I really don't have many photos from this week, but no prob... but there was plenty of journaling to make up for it.



I love the bright colors in this kit.  Just what i needed for our grey winter.  And yes you read right above- I am teaching a first grade math club at the kid's school.  Which is hilarious in itself due to my (lack of) math skills.


Elle’s Studio February 2015 Kit, Elle’s Studio January 2015 Kit, Elle’s Studio October 2014 Kit, Foodie Journaling Tags, Numbers Stamp, Hello 2015 Stamp, Miscellaneous Cork Bits, Letter and Number Stickers- Kraft,

I added my grandma's quote from our regular Wednesday night dinner--- she always comes up with gems.   This one was no exception.    I got some awesome "Colt's Flair" custom made by Toni From-- loved including it in this spread!

Thanks for swinging by today!  have a great monday!

Balloon Love

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

It's been a busy week celebrating Valentine's Day at the kids school!   We have a balloon ministry that I volunteer in every Friday throughout the school year.  You can order balloons, candy, gifts to be sent to any student in the school.  Well on Valentine's Day EVERY student (at least in the elementary) gets a balloon from parents and/or friends.

You can get an idea of what it's like just by seeing all the balloons in Jordan's classroom.  Imagine how neat it is to see all of the kids waiting in the gym at pick up!  It's like straight out of the movie UP!


It is such a busy day as the volunteers are spread throughout the school to blow up these balloons.   It's a lot of fun though- but literally I came home and fell asleep I was so exhausted!

I hope you have a lovely valentine's day!!!!

Project Life

Today I am sharing the week of January 5-11th in my Project Life Spread.


Technically January 5th had an entire week of it's own, but I included this because I am OCD with keeping the week together in the title.  :)    You can sum this week up with Birthdays, Cupcakes, Colts, and COLD.   Yep that's about right.



This is the second year in a row that the first week back to school after Christmas we have had snow and subzero temperatures.  Last year on this particular week was way worse... but IRONIC.  I made a mental note to possibly head to Florida next year instead of Back to School.



This cupcake photo is a screen shot I received in an email last year.  I used it last year on Birthdays and loved the simplicity and consistency in documenting birthdays, so I used it again in this spread for my birthday.  Very simple.



I also added a screen shot of Taylor Swift... because it's Taylor Swift and someone sings it ALL the time (Jordan).  And a screen shot of the -8 temperature.   Just bone chilling cold this particular week!

Thanks for swinging by today!

Products Used:  Elle’s Studio Exclusive January 2015 Kit, Elle’s Studio Exclusive December 2014 Kit, Letter and Number Stickers- Kraft, Letter and Number Stickers- Red,  Hello 2015: 3×4 Calendar Cards, Christmas Ephemera Pack, Winter Ephemera Pack, Numbers Stamp, Foodie Journaling Tags, Good Cheer Paper Collection Pack, Sycamore Lane Journaling Tags, Sycamore Lane- Cork Shapes