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.