Over the weekend, we celebrated Madeley’s second birthday!
The theme this year was Madeley is 2 Cute :).
Madeley was discovered in front of a police station on December 19, 2014 and was taken to the hospital for a medical exam. At that time, they estimated that she was about two months old, therefore they gave her the birthday October 19. Just like with Ashby, we’ll never know her actual birthday…and just like with Ashby, it kind of bums me out for the girls that something so important will never officially be revealed to them…BUT, we will celebrate October 19 every year like it’s the best day ever :). We felt incredibly blessed this year to get to spend her actual birthday with her. I’m so sad we missed the first birthday, but it’s nice to know we’ll never miss another one.
Originally, I had a big party idea in my head…but you know what, she’s just not ready. I decided to scratch my original theme and idea for this year and focus on something a little more intimate and small. We didn’t want to overwhelm her, confuse her, scare her or set her back. So, we invited my parents, grandparents, brother and his family over for a quiet little family dinner…and it was exactly what she needed.
Our menu for the night.
Guacamole
Roasted Green Beans
Sweet Corn Chili
Pumpkin Spice Latte Bundt Cake
Miss Madeley was into the balloons :).
I made a bundt cake (my very favorite to be exact!!) but also picked up some cupcakes from the bakery for a little something extra.
Candles for the ladies as their party favor.
The Shull Six ready to par-ty!
I just liked this. All my peeps milling around before we ate.
I made my chili in two slow cookers so that we would have enough for everyone.
A simple supper for a second birthday.
The birthday girl LOVES anything with ground beef, so chili is most definitely a favorite of hers!
After dinner, she visited with Samuel a bit…
…and then we all went outside and took turns holding Samuel…
…because everyone loves Samuel.
It’s really a shame that she lacks personality.
Her too.
How sweet is this? Ashby is having Papaw smell a flower she picked :).
They played football: Lowe boys verses Shull boys.
Lovie and Samuel.
The boys.
The girls (and Samuel too!).
We came inside to open presents. I wasn’t sure how that was going to go…but Madeley quickly figured out that if she took the paper off one of those packages, something shiny, that lit up and made noise would be inside.
It’s so fun when it’s your birthday!
Woohoo!!!
This girl is set now!
I mean…cuteness overload, right?!
And after that, we sang Happy Birthday to Madeley for the first time ever.
It was such a sweet little party for the sweetest little girl.
Kensington’s Spa Party
Leslie says
Morning Shay! After seeing your Insta video this weekend, I was seriously hoping to see a birthday recap! Yay! It looks like everyone had the BEST time, especially Miss Madeley! I realized something really funny this morning. Reading your blog posts over the past few years has become a regular part of my morning routine. It’s like wake up, take a shower, brush teeth, read Shay’s blog, and then finish getting ready. Thank you for being such a great blog to start my day!
http://www.withlovefromgablog.blogspot.com
Paula says
It has been apart of my morning routine for the past 4-5 years or so myself! Such a sweet family!
Francie says
I was hoping to see a birthday recap also. The subject is perfect, because this birthday party was too cute! http://Www.supersimpleways.com
Erika Slaughter says
Yay!!! What a fun little party for such a sweet little girl! Looks like you guys partied hard and had fun! On a side note, we played football last night-girls against boys and I’m fairly certain I looked like Papa Jay every time we scored. 🙂
Regine Karpel says
Love.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Sheaffer says
A perfect little party for a perfect little girl! 🙂 Love all the pics, but my favorite is all the girls together!
Jen says
She is the cutest! What a wonderful family party!
Random question…. I love the signs you have made, but is there a time when you will stop, even if you had them done until they were each ten, 40 signs is a lot LOL. I have signs similar to that but I only have one kiddo
Mix and Match Mama says
Haha! I don’t know…I guess I’ll stop when it feels right. For now, I’m going to keep going :).
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
Best post ever! Love that y’all were able to be with Madeley on her 2nd birthday! What a perfect day!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Amy Heinl says
Haopy Birthday sweet Madely…looks like the most perfect party for her. Can you tell me where you got your candles at?
Mix and Match Mama says
Bath and Body Works :).
Sarah says
What a wonderful celebration for sweet Madeley!! Happy birthday to her!!
(And thank you for reposting your recipe for the bundt cake!!! I was looking for that this weekend haha!)
-Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Paula says
Such a sweet 2nd birthday! I love how much Madeley smiles! She’s truly happy! A gift I know!
I bought the same shirt you’re wearing and LOVE it! Perfect fall shirt.
Narci says
What a perfect party for a precious little girl! Loved the pictures of her amazing smile! She is just a doll!
emily @ a little bit of emily says
It looks like everyone had a blast at Madeley’s birthday party – gotta love small, family parties! Your menu sounds delicious, and ohhh, all the toys! She is going to be having so much fun!
Britt Hensley says
2 cute!!! Love your dad’s pose too! It looks like a great time was had, & HBD Madeley!!
Holly Hopkins says
Yay! Sounds like a blast! I am getting to celebrate my Son’s first birthday this weekend he was born on the 26th. October Birthdays are fun! We are doing a lumberjack theme. Your bundt cake sounds delicious I was lazy and ordered maple cupcakes. I look forward to costume parties in the future! You have a beautiful family!!
Grace says
So sweet & totally understand what you mean about not wanting to overwhelm her! Hopefully you can use original party theme for future party! I love your birthday signs. We hope to have/adopt more children & have limited wall space so I think I’ll keep birthday invitations (along with birth announcements and I may do Christmas cards, too!) in an album so it’s easy to keep together & flip through! I also love this post to see more background pics of your beautiful home! Praying for continued blessings for your sweet family!
Elizabeth Feldpausch says
What a sweet party and what a blessing that sweet little girl is!
Sarah @ The Teacher's Wife says
What a sweet little party! I think it’s great that you adjusted your plan to make sure it was exactly what she needed. Our youngest turns two today, so they are almost birthday buddies!! Happy birthday, Madeley!
Tammy says
What a sweet little girl !!! Happy 2nd Birthday sweet girl !!!
E Omland says
As I read your post I just smiled the whole time. What a wonderful story and a perfect party! I also was struck by the though that those girls will have their birthdays revealed to them when they get to Heaven. 🙂 For now, I think any day they get to celebrate with you is perfect!
Brooke Richardson says
First things first, everytime I see Madeley she melts my heart! Her smile/laugh lights up a room. Her Birthday party was Two Cute and perfect for her.
Secondly, I made your sweet corn chili a couple weeks ago and it was a favorite for sure! Her entire menu for her party is making me quite hungry!
Laci says
Madeley is adorable!!! Hope she has a fabulous birthday week!!
Lizzie @ This Happy Life says
This looks like the perfect party!! I love huge parties but I’m all about intimate ones too 🙂
Katie W. says
Happy birthday to Madeley! What a perfect little birthday party! Hope you guys have fun celebrating all week!
April Parrish says
So happy for you and your family!! Madeley is just precious!!! I know she brings so much joy to all! God Bless!!!
heidi says
What a perfect birthday party! Her little face opening gifts is priceless. X
Dana Powell says
We are just in love Miss Madeley over here! My daughters ask me every day if you have an update. 🙂 This is random, but can you tell me where Andrew’s shoes are from? My husband has been looking for some boat-style shoes and those look like what he might like. His shirt is super ‘cute’ too!
Mix and Match Mama says
Nordstrom!
Heather telenko says
What a special celebration! I also love Ashby’s burlap bow, where is it from? Thanks!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
http://www.onestopbowshop.com 🙂
SuzyH says
What a precious sight! God is so so Good!!
Keisha Dawson says
What a perfect little party for your sweet little girl!
cassie {hi sugarplum} says
I couldn’t love this more!! Such a precious girl and precious family!!! xoxoxo
Angela Ellingson says
I love your party posts! Love the theme! Adorable. And the happy birthday song you posted on instagram captures the joy of the day even more than the pictures do. Love, love, love!
Yolanda McLean says
I loved the excitement on the face of the person wearing the denim shirt. I had to scroll back and see who it was. Your brother! That picture is priceless, just such joy on their faces.
Amber Sult says
Shay, first of all I love seeing all of the Birthday pictures. I think that was a perfect party for her. I loved the menu as well. Madeley and Ashby are so lucky to have a loving family as you all and I am sure they will be forever grateful to you all for giving them such a wonderful life that their true Birthdays won’t even matter to them. Have a blessed week.
Jenny says
What a sweet party! The small intimate parties are probably my favorite anyways. Glad sweet Madeley got to be home for her 2nd birthday!
Mel @ The Larson Lingo says
So sweet!!! What a perfect party for her! Happy 2nd Birthday Madeley!
Staci Smelley says
How much do you spend on groceries now that there are 6 of y’all? The last post I saw said 250$ a week. I’m just curious because I cook about the same amount you do.
Mix and Match Mama says
I spend more than that if you factor in the extra food I make for my books/blog. We all eat breakfast and lunch from home food (sometimes, I eat out but the kids and Andrew always eat food from home), plus dinners at least five nights a week…so it adds up!
Maria D. says
It looks like the birthday girl had a great time! And so did everyone else….lol…these are the best kind of parties – families together! Happy 2nd Birthday Mandeley!
Marisa says
Such a sweet celebration! What a great way to keep a simple them and make it personal! LOVE the stand up chalk board where you posted the menu for the party! Do you remember where it is from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Nebraska Furniture Mart!
Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says
Happiest of birthdays to your sweet little babe! I know it just warmed your heart having all of your favorite people there to celebrate her!
Lauren Austin says
What a fun party! Sometimes the best parties are the small, intimate ones with just family, love that Madeley has such a fantastic family to celebrate her now! On Friday I posted a picture on Instagram of Sydney helping me bake. Well, we were baking your caramel apple Neiman Marcus bars…holy cow, we can’t quit eating them!! I think we found a new favorite bar! Thanks!
Megan Butler says
Oh my goodness!! So much cuteness and fun! Happy 2nd birthday miss Madeley!
chelsea jacobs says
So much fun!!
Kelly says
A sweet family celebration for a sweet girl! Madeley will never remember a time that she didn’t feel loved and cherished. Thanks for posting your menu, the sweet corn chili is already a family favorite at our house! Happy Birthday (on Wednesday!;) to Madeley!
Jana B. says
Such a cute and simple party! Curious what crock-pot and other kitchen staples you recommend. With crock-pot season upon us I have realized I am in the market for a new crock-pot.
Mix and Match Mama says
One of my crock pots is 13 years old. It’s the one pictured on the right. It’s very, very basic from Target. The other one is an All Clad from Williams-Sonoma and I love it too!
Chrissy says
Thanks for sharing Madeley’s special day and all the fun pics! What brand/size do you wear for your layering tanks?
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re the Nordstrom brand camisoles. I LOVE them!! I believe I linked to them on Friday’s post.
Nourine says
I am really the biggest fan of your family!! 🙂 dreamed of you even once haha
God bless you.
Random question, have you mention Madeley’s health problem yet? I just want to make sure that I didn’t miss that post.
Mix and Match Mama says
You’re very sweet! I haven’t yet :). Hopefully, by her 2 month post-adoption update!
Jeanie says
I love every picture. Looks like Sean has Samuel working out already! Happy birthday, Madeley!
Karen says
I had to come back and reread this post because it is just so so sweet! The six of you are just so so blessed to have each other. Happy Birthday, sweet Madeley!
Kirsten Juenke says
How sweet! Happy birthday Madeley! We think October 19th is a great birthday 🙂 my daughter shares it with Madeley!
Christy says
Looks like a super cute, low key party! Question: How do you make your roasted green beans? Thank you! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Place them on a cookie sheet with a liberal drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a big pinch of salt and pepper. Roast at 425 for about 45 minutes.
Christy says
Thank you!!!!
Diane says
I can’t hold my tears back! This is a earthly representation of what God does for us when we accept Him! We are adopted and showered with His goodness and love along with a showering of all His gifts…salvation…peace…mercy…grace…hope…etc. Just like these pictures of you celebrating and showering Madeley on her birthday. As I look at Madeley, I think she has no idea what just happened to her 1 month ago. Same with us in the kingdom of God.
Kame says
Totally unrelated (although Madeley is absolutely presh!!) but can you tell me what type of wood your floors are? Oak/Hickory/handscrapped, etc??? We are redoing our and I cannot figure out what wood in a larger setting would look like.
Mix and Match Mama says
They are 5 inch red oak planks that have been hand scraped and stained :).
Brittany Rae says
Ok, so I found your blog a few weeks ago and have been very inspired so I put it in my reading pane. And then there was a moment just now when I was like yo, that guy looks just like Sean Lowe and scrolled down to see Carherine. So it totally is Sean. Too funny. This post was great and I love the pic of the flower smelling. Its great to take time and smell the flowers, really.