Stella Turns 1!

Stella turned 1 this past week.  On her actual birthday we went to the Children's Museum.

 

Stella and Abram had fun stopping electronic bugs.

Abram really got into squashing bugs.

Stella got some beautiful silver sandals to start off her birthday morning.

She got a mountain of cards and beautiful flowers.

Grandpa Martin and Grandma Linda came for Stella's party and Abram put Grandpa to work right away.

 Stella couldn't wait for her party.

Abram picked out the design for Stella's cake.

Abram got an early birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa.  He was able to put it to use on a Saturday afternoon fishing trip with Papa and Grandpa.  When he came home he could barely talk he was so excited.  When I could finally make out what he was saying it was, "I catched mosses...I catched mosses..at first I was afraid but then I wasn't."  It was pretty adorable. 

After the big fishing trip it was time to PARTY!

What party would be complete without snuggling with Grandma.

and Grandpa!

Stella was a bit confused by the candle and Abram and I 'helping.'

She didn't want any help eating her cake. At first she wasn't sure if this was something she wanted to try.

She quickly learned that she like cake.

"Why have you kept this from me?"  "Cake is sooooo good!!!!"

"Thank you for chocolate papa"

"What?  I thought the camera was off"

On to presents.  It was like Stella was born opening presents.

 While it was sad to see our little girl turn 1 - we had so much fun celebrating!

Rachel & Caity

We were lucky to have a visit from Rachel and Caity (and their adorable puppy Gus) last week.  Somehow I didn't get any pictures of Caity or Gus :(

 Abram and Stella were excited to see everybody - especially since Rachel was willing to be a human jungle gym.

Abram and Rachel caught up by baking delicious treats.

Thank you for coming to visit - we miss you!!!

I can't help but post pictures of this beautiful face.

Stella now poses for the camera - I think she was trying to 'vogue' here.

Stella thought Josh needed a shave. 

 

Firsts

Abram went to his very first baseball game last week with Nana.  He LOVED it!  He started off with a giant hot dog and ended with a balloon animal, oh and watched about 15 minutes of baseball.

He did come home with lots of stories about how the game went.  He said that 'they didn't like the pitchers so they had to sit down.'

Since Abram and Nana were out having fun, Stella and I decided to have some fun of our own.

I gave Stella her first pedicure.  This is the best picture we could get of her tiny toes but trust me that they were adorable.

Swing Set

Aunt Vicki was supposed to visit us last week but had to cancel her trip at the last minute.  We were very sad to miss out on a visit. We had the trip all planned out and Vicki and Chris with Grandpa Clayton were providing the materials for Josh to build a swing set for the kids - so Josh had everything ready to go but left the swings off until her arrival.  Since she had to cancel her trip she didn't want the kids to miss out on playing so she had us go ahead and give them their Easter/Birthday present without her.  The pictures below are trying to capture the moment.

Abram knew there was a present for him in the backyard, he just wasn't sure what it was.

What is that?

IT'S A SWING!!!!!

Let's go Papa, let's go.

First attempt

This is awesome

I like swinging

 Push me higher!

Sheer joy

Hmmm...I'm not sure about this

Double the fun

I'm getting the hang of this

Happy baby

Happy Papa with the finished product

 Thank you Aunt V, Uncle C and Great-Grandpa Clayton!!!

Everyday Moments

We are really lucky that we live within walking distance to the South Bend Zoo.  It's a perfect zoo for small children and we have gone a few times since we've been here but I still haven't gotten very many good pictures.  You can't actually tell that it is Abram in the pictures because his face is hidden but I promise it's him.  

The picture below is Abram getting food out for the fish - if you take Abram to the zoo you have to be sure to have quarters.  Josh called me in a panic when he took Abram and Stella on Friday.  It was his first trip to the zoo and he took the kids by himself.  As they walked in the front gate he asked Abram where he wanted to go.  Abram said "the fish."  Since Josh had never been there he asked Abram which way to go, Abram said "first we go left and then we go left and then right" and Josh actually followed him...into dead end after dead end.  Abram looked around like someone had moved the fish and that he was right and the zoo was wrong.  I got Josh turned around and everyone made it to the fish safely - I'm sure you were all on the edge of your seats during that story.

Stella had mango for the first time the other day.  I took a picture of her that reminded me of a picture of Abram eating mango when he was this age.

This was actually an Easter picture that I didn't get on the Easter post.  The kids were really well behaved during brunch which was a nice Easter surprise.

My little spring flower.