Family photo shoot

Just for fun, we decided to recreate pictures taken last year when Anders was just a week & a half old...

LAST YEAR:

And now THIS YEAR:

Anders with Grammie & Papa (I don't understand why Bella isn't laying in Grammie's lap for these photos?)...

Anders NEW Wagon

Anders got a mac-daddy Red Flyer wagon for his birthday from Grammie, Papa, Aunt Katie & Uncle Chip.   

Holding on tight & looking worried...

It's official, he LOVES it!

Off on his first wagon adventure...it was HOT outside, so the wagon ride was short.

Playtime

Mom & Dad came to help me get ready for the birthday party -- the house needed to be put back together after painting and tiling and everyday chaos.  So Mom entertained Anders while Dad & I knocked out the projects.  Then while Anders napped, she cleaned & cleaned...it was WONDERFUL!

Anders having fun with Grammie...

Anders' pet froggie

Don't worry, we didn't keep it!  But while the frog was living in our baby pool (for three days), I just had to get pictures! The frog is a little hard to see, but look closely in Papa's hand...

YUM, Yum....CAKE!

At first Anders did not know what to think about everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to him, and he definitely did not know what to do with the cake.  Like us, he probably thought it was too pretty to dig into and eat!

Bringing the cake to the table and singing "Happy Birthday"...

Sweet Anders looked like he was going to cry -- I think he was a little overwhelmed...

Blowing out the candle...

Daddy helping Anders get into the cake...

His first taste...

Realizing that it is REALLY good and wanting more (and MORE)!  Anders sat at the table for more than a hour just eating away at the birthday cake, and sharing with Bella of coarse!  By the end he was completely dusted with sugar and needed a bath...(warning, LOTS of pictures - but I love so many of these!)

Shoveling it in (so funny)...

My sweet mess...

Our big boy using a spoon to dig into the cake...

Happy Birthday Anders, we LOVE you so much!

More BIRTHDAY party pictures...

Sarah baked & decorated BOTH cakes...

Mommy reading Daddy's sweet note to our little birthday boy...

Grandma signing the picture mat...

Anders DID NOT nap well the day of the party (maybe about 20 minutes in the morning and again in the afternoon).  It is like he knew everyone was coming over and he was going to get to eat as much birthday cake as he wanted -- and so he did not want to sleep!  He ended up falling asleep 10 minutes before the first guests arrived. So after 20 minutes of a nap, Anders woke up to find a house full of guest for the PARTY!  He wasn't sure what to think & note he is still in his PJs and not in his party clothes yet.

Looking down at all the party-people below...

Checking out a birthday balloon with Grammie (Anders is still not sure what to think about this party)...

The buffet of food - BBQ, grilled veggies, chips, coleslaw, relish tray and fruit...

Anders' BIRTHDAY Party

Anders' first birthday party was this past Sunday -- it was the final hurrah to his birthday week and a half celebration!

The INVITE:

The DECORATIONS:

The CAKE (isn't it the CUTEST, made by Sarah Holley):

The SMASH CAKE:

Picture mat for the guests to write a little birthday note to Anders:

Little more DECOR:

More birthday pictures and details to come...

Opening his FIRST birthday gifts

Anders has celebrated his FIRST birthday numerous times -- he has gotten to eat sugary treats and open gifts through out the past week and a half.  So I have a lot of blogging and picture posting to catch up on! 

Here he is opening his birthday gifts from Daddy & Mommy.  We gave him a few musical instruments including a drum, xylophone, and concertina.  But his favorite so far is the push cart full of wooden blocks (pretty sure it is Todd's favorite too).  Anders likes standing and pushing the cart around, and Todd likes building beautiful block towers and structures (for Anders to then knock down).