Eliza's First Birthday Party

We had such a fun time planning Eliza's birthday party. We debated themes and decorations and favors and food and so on. In the end, the theme was Eliza! We spent hours and hours planning and planting flowers and cooking and decorating. We had our backyard all set up and went inside to get the food ready. Our "vision" of the party was coming together. I thought for one sec, hmmm maybe we should take a picture, but decided to get all the food out then take pictures. We were inside making chicken salad sandwiches, lemon tarragon pasta, spinach salad, fruit kabobs, cupcakes and homemade peach ice cream. Among the chopping and stirring we saw our picture banner (just about 300 pictures strung around our entire backyard fence) start to wave as the wind picked up. We then heard a balloon or two pop. And then downpour. We weren't sure what to do. We had just hoped for good weather and not planned an alternative. After I stood there and cried (and cried and cried) we decided to bring in as much as we could. Ben moved furniture out of the house to the garage and we moved the tables into the house. The balloons around the fence, the newly planted mums and the picture banner didn't make it inside. Our little living room couldn't accommodate quite the same as our backyard but it turned out and the party went on! Luckily the rain cleared so the kids could go outside and play. All that mattered in the end was our sweet little Eliza turned one! She loves people. She LOVES kids, especially her cousins. I'm sure she didn't know that everyone was there for her, but she did have a lot of fun. Our house was a disaster from corner to corner but every little crumb of cake on the floor was worth it. Happy Birthday Eliza!

We wanted a cute way to tell people they didn't need to

bring a present. We found this picture and it just came to me!

The food, the decorations, the candy box favors, the 

personalized water bottles... all a little damp but all survived!

Eliza eating dinner and showing off the decorations.

The parents, grands and greats, cousins, aunts and uncles.

The sidewalk chalk.

The cake.

Eliza watching daddy light the candle. 

Eliza clapping to everyone singing happy birthday.

Eliza showing how old she is.

The cake smash.

The cake mess.

The tired little girl.

The end.

Birthday Dinner

After frosting a billion cupcakes (that's what if felt like at least) we were starving and still had to take Eliza out for her first birthday dinner ever. We ended up at Mimi's. It was delish and Eliza had a fun time. I know she doesn't know it's her birthday but I think she could tell something was different. At least I hope so.

Cupcakes

Cindy is my friend and former young women leader. We spent so much time at her house eating mac and cheese and purple juice. Oh the memories. Her daughter Jess got married on Eliza's birthday. She asked me to help with cupcakes. It was a lot of frosting and a lot of sprinkles and ended up being a lot of fun. They had a carnival wedding which Eliza loved! She thought it was for her birthday I'm sure... She even got a number 1 balloon hat from the balloon boy. Congrats Jess and Bent and Happy Birthday Eliza!

Waking up

Ben was home when Eliza woke up on her birthday so he blew up some balloons and put them in her room. She loved it! It was such a fun morning with her. I cannot believe that my little baby is one year old. I've had a few tears thinking about it. She is so precious. I love every thing about her. I am so thankful to have her as my daughter. Happy birthday baby bug!

1 Year

Eliza at one year...
third tooth finally making its way out
loves to touch mommy's and her eyelashes
gives the best kisses
getting a little attached
walks like a pro
completely terrified of remote control helicopters
always pulling pillows off of couch
leans back on anything behind her
says mom and dad
claps to if you're happy and you know it, and taps her toes pretty cute too
"talks" and talks and talks
laughs when other people are laughing and has a pretty good courtesy laugh
sticks her tongue out of the side of her mouth
loves loves loves books
rolls toilet paper off the roll
uses signs for all done, more, and please
likes to turn light switches on and off
puts things in, takes things out, puts things in, takes things out
runs around her crib
not so sure about vitamin d milk
tries to drink from a cup
likes to talk on the phone, especially to daddy
likes to play in the dirt, and eat rocks, and help pull weeds
turns on her cd player
loves animal noises, stuffed animals, drinking from a big water bottle, licorice, music, going to primary with daddy, friends, cousins, and so much more
has given us 365 days of bliss

Brothers and sisters, our children take their flight into the future with our thrust and with our aim. And even as we anxiously watch that arrow in flight and know all the evils that can deflect its course after it has left our hand, nevertheless we take courage in remembering that the most important mortal factor in determining that arrow's destination will be the stability, strength, and unwavering certainty of the holder of the bow.
Elder Holland

Just a spoon full of sugar

The last show of the 2010-2011 season. I loved the music and the message. It totally made me want to go fly a kite. It's been way too long! We had a great time.

Can't wait for next season starting in December... Blue Man Group, South Pacific, Beauty and the Beast, and Million Dollar Quartet are all part of the season. And we already have tickets for Wicked!!! I have seen it a few times and am still excited to see it again. I'm also hoping to see Rock of Ages, Rain, and maybe Mannheim Steamroller at Christmas. YAY!!!

Labor Day Weekend

We had a fun weekend up at the cabin. It was pretty warm during the days but so nice and cool at night. It was a nice little getaway.

The ride was a little bit messy. Licorice and Jess kept Eliza occupied in the back seat.

Chili morning.

Eliza is sporting her new Ohio State beanie from Vicki. She loves it and looks adorable! Her first birthday present ever!

Eliza will never be bored as long as she has cousins around. I think they kind of like her...

 Eliza sporting her one year birthday picture outfit. I must admit, I am a sucker for tights and boots!