I'm #1 !!!

It's been a year! Congratulations to our little boy who has turned one. We celebrated with some friends and family in our humble abode. This is the first big shindig that I have hosted in my own house so I was meticulously preparing throughout the week. Of course I wanted some special touches for the party even though Eli wouldn't remember them down the road. I was inspired by my sister-in-law, who makes fabulous cakes, (http://tiersofjoycakery.blogspot.com/) to attempt a fondant cake for the first time. Unfortunately she lives out of the state, so she couldn't just make one for us. So my mom graciously helped me out in making one, given she is a busy lady these days.

I realized that a fondant cake would not lend to a child digging his fingers in and making a big mess, so we also made a smaller iced cake. However he didn't really dig in and make a mess any ways. He was a bit shy with the cake.

"Don't even think about taking my cake, Uncle Nate!"

Here are a few of our guests.

Does it look like they are having an intense stare-down. "Thanks Noah for teaching me to crawl. Now can you teach me that walking thing you do?"

Thank you for the Gifts

"I like wrapping paper."

"Thanks Aunt Carrie for the Curious George-in-the-box!"

It's a right of passage for all one year olds to take a nap after a day of celebrating. "Thanks Papa for the resting spot."

Actual "Birth"day

It's amazing that a year ago we were anxiously driving to the hospital, in the middle of contractions, excited to meet our little guy. Little did we know how much we would be blessed by his presence in our lives.

We decided that a picture with Santa at exactly one year old was a cute idea, until he was acutally at that moment. Why would so many parents routinely do this? We only waited in line about 30 minutes, but Eli was antsy to be crawling around by the end of the line. He was smiles up until the point that we were second in line. So by the time he reached Santa's arms he was crying, "I want down"! So dollars and heightened blood pressure later we got our crying picture. Can we photo shop a different picture onto Santa's lap?

My mom wanted to make Eli a birthday cake that looked like a bath tub. Didn't work with the party theme we had, so she made it for his actual birthday.

A couple more presents to unwrap....

Eli has been enjoying the kitchen toy that his Mama and Papa got him. He likes to open and close drawers and cupboards, so I thought he might enjoy the same with this refrigerator.

"Nuttin for Christmas!"

See "Actual 'Birth'day" for details on visit with Santa.

Perfect Timing

You know how God has perfect timing? We were able to take a short vacation at the beach back in October. It was a perfect getaway. We enjoyed time in our beachfront room, eating crab, playing with Eli, roaming the shops, munching on rocky road, walking along the beach, eating ice cream at the Tillamook factory, and marveling at the beautiful sunshine. The Lord truly blessed our trip!

(side-note: ...isn't he cute!)

Perfect

Our last day at the beach we walked along the coast. It couldn't have been a more perfect day. Sunny, no wind, and barely any people (great for picture taking).

Bye Bye!

Bzzzzzz....

Introducing "Super-Bumble-E"!!!

Eli loves to fly around with his Dad. His Grandma enjoyed creating this costume for him.

Here we saw some bugs on the go. Cousin Gretchen couldn't be cuter.

Here we are at our church's Harvest Festival. Thanks Mark for the picture! Eli was very sleepy.

Be sure to notice Tim and my costumes as well.

Field of Orange

We took a trip up to Sauvie Island for Eli to visit his first pumpkin farm. He got to explore a barn of animals, ride on hay and see a squash nearly his own size.

He was a bit more interested in the dirt and vines than the actual pumpkin.

Happy hunting!

Just a funny expression. I like the silhouette on the pumpkin.

Our only family pic from the day. We are on the hay ride.

All I Want For Christmas Are...

My two front teeth!

Here's all four.

Just a picture...

Wouldn't it be amazing to see things through the eyes of a child again?

I Think I Can, I Think I Can.....

Eli started crawling!!!

He seems to be drawn to the fireplace, which is off limits. He gets over there, reaches out to touch it, and we say "No fireplace, Eli." We then move him away from it, and try to distract him. Then he goes back to the fireplace, and this repeats several times a day.

Hey, I guess it's a good motivator to practice crawling. The cats better watch out, because he's going after them next!

Now that's a fort!

I came into the nursery the other day and to my surprise I found a fort. This is probably more fun for the parents than the child at 9 months old. I was allowed to join the fun once I found the entrance and used the correct secret password.

Some race car excitement in the toy bin...
A lineup of fun...

Row, row, row your ski boat

Eric Allphin took us out on his boat with Susan, a friend from church. Eli was a good sport, here's what he had to report:

• likes...the rocking of the boat on the water, warm weather
• dislikes...the lifejacket, the loud engine, direct sun

Here's mama, blazing a trail on the waterskis!

Here's papa, shredding it confetti style! How's that for cool lingo?

Holy Roller...

So I guess the "1" doesn't really match. But it kind of looks like a "7" if you turn your head a little bit...

Anyways, I was pretty excited for this, hence the picture. It's going to be an awesome mile...until it reaches 177778, then it's all downhill.

Pearly Whites

Eli's first two teeth have arrived! Congrats eight month old!

(You might have to click on picture to see the teeth a bit easier.)

Da da da

Elijah was really focusing on the sound "da". For about a half hour he kept repeating "da da da". Before and into his bath time. Perhaps he will soon realize that he can say "Da Da" to his Papa.

For Cat or Baby

Tim was trying to get the cats to play and ended up entertaining Eli instead.

New Experiences

This is Eli's second time on a swing.

Roll Over

I finally caught Elijah rolling over on video.

A Sunny Day

Eli and I enjoyed a nice day at the park last week. It was a gorgeous day and the park was practically empty. Nice and quiet.

It's amazing how you can take a picture of your own child and then think, "wow, that doesn't look like my son." He is quite expressive in this picture.

Eli loves being outside. If he has a fussy episode then we walk outside and he calms down. Hopefully we will catch many more park days before it gets too cold. :)

Growing up...

Elijah just turned 7 months old. He's definitely getting bigger!

Here's Elijah only 3 days old.

On his 7 month birthday.

Six Months

I can't believe our little boy is half a year old!

Eli's First Solid Food

We think he likes it.

Eli Talking

We've been working on the vowel sounds with Elijah. He seems to be catching on!

O-Aw-Whoo, Hawaii I

Tim was honored to be the best man in his friend's wedding. As an added perk Elijah, Tim and I had to travel to Hawaii for a week to celebrate in the union of Wesley and Deedee's marriage. It was an absolutely beautiful ceremony. I truly believe this couple is stronger together as they keep the Lord front and center.

Deedee was born and raised in Hawaii, Wesley is Oregon raised. Deedee performed a Hawaiian dance for her new husband.

Tim and Wes met in college. This group picture includes the other friends from OSU that were present.

O-Aw-Whoo II

Wedding dress attire.

Believe it or not the bridal party (Bride, Groom, Tim, and 2 Bridesmaids) went into the ocean on surfboards in their wedding attire for some amazing photography. The original plan was to catch some bigger waves, but this beach was most feasible.

Gorgeous!

With our first big traveling experience with Eli we tried to downsize our packing as much as possible. So Eli's bed was made from a dresser drawer. He didn't seem to mind it so much. I just have to put a side-note in that my mom made Eli's hawaiian shirts that you see in the pics. Thanks mom!