Baby's First Birthday

We celebrated Luke Angelo's first birthday last month!  It was very special and wonderful to celebrate this baby boy.  I always feel like getting through that first year is a milestone for baby, mom, dad...really the entire family.  And so we had a big birthday bash for this guy!
We decided on a baseball theme for the party (big surprise!)...and with our crazy schedules, the best option was a Saturday morning brunch with some of our best family friends.  I made some cinnamon rolls, and we had a yogurt bar.
(Luke has had a haircut since these pics were taken!  He looks so different).

When it was cake time, we all gathered round to sing...of course, there were a millions things going on...and somehow in the middle of the song, Luke reached out and grabbed the flame!  Luckily, he wasn't burned...but just a little scared.  Gosh, I felt so bad.  I had to take him out of his chair to even get him to try the cake (our traditional pumpkin cake)  Such is the life of a 5th child!

Here is the whole family celebrating our last baby...strange to think, it will be our last 1st birthday party (until the grand kids, of course!)

I love these pictures with our dear neighbors.  William and Luke celebrated their 1st birthdays just 4 days apart.  I love these boys and Will's mama is one of my very best friends.

How wonderful it was to be surrounded by friends for this special event...it is hard to not have family around, but these sweet people help make up for it.

Luke's actual birthday (a few days later) was an interesting day.  Tod had knee surgery that morning...so it was just kind of crazy.  I did manage to let him open his gift that evening...every 1st birthday, we have always done a ride-on toy.  It is such a fun tradition.  And Luke absolutely loved his truck...and he loved how everyone was so willing to give him a ride.  And then everyone kept fighting about whose turn it was...and so it goes.  And then he would squawk when they stopped pushing him.  He is so very loved.

Do you like how this ice cream was already partially eaten?  We do try around here.

All in all, it was a great few days to enjoy our baby boy and celebrate his first year.  We are so thankful to have him in our family.   Sometimes, I have felt down knowing that Luke's first year has been so busy and crazy.  I feel like I haven't taken as many pictures of just him, and I certainly haven't documented all his baby milestones as I did with the other children.  I didn't write down the exact date he got his first tooth or when he first crawled.  But then I am reminded of the blessing that just having him here has been for us.  He has brought us all even closer together through his love.  He has taught us all patience and given us the opportunity to serve.  His siblings are absolutely in love with him, and Luke just adores his daddy.  I have enjoyed him so much and truly valued my time and moments spent with him.  This time around, I have been less worried about his milestones and what the experts say...I have been able to relax and marvel at the miracle that Luke is and will continue to be for our family.  I am so thankful to have him and to be his mom. Happy first birthday Luke!!!

My Wicked Weekend

I first saw the musical "Wicked" several years ago in Texas...and I absolutely fell in love with it...the characters, the story line, and especially the music!  When my sister saw that it was coming to San Antonio again, I knew I would do everything in my power to get there and see it again!  And what a weekend trip it was...not only did I get to see the show but I also got to spend time with some of my favorite people in the whole world.  And I got enjoy warm weather!  And I got to travel all by myself!  It was exactly what I needed!

I love going to San Antonio so much....mainly because I get to see this girl:

And these cute kids:

And even my wonderful brother in law:

I love this family...and when you live so far away, it is wonderful to be able to visit people and see what their daily life is like.  On Thursday, we went shopping and went to lunch and then picked the kids up from day care.  I loved seeing what a typical day is like for them.  They are such good kids...and Katy and Nick are amazing parents...and amazing people....lots of fun to be with too.

That evening, Katy and I headed downtown for our big night out.  We met up with Jasmine and Savannah, along with cousin Pam.  What an added bonus that the Day family has moved to San Antonio, too!

It was great to be able to visit and spend time together.  We enjoyed a yummy Italian dinner on the River walk and then walked to the theater.

I was so excited to see "Wicked" again, but I wondered if I would be as entertained as it was my 3rd time to attend...well, I was certainly not disappointed!  It was just as magical, spell binding, captivating, romantic and funny...maybe even more so because I understood the story line more this time.  I absolutely loved it.  The only thing that would have been better is if my Mellie (my other sister) could have been there, too.  Next time!

The next day, Friday, we just relaxed and did a little more shopping.  Then it was time to enjoy some great weather...which I really needed, given the long Iowa winter.  I played soccer with my nephew Sutton who reminds me so much of Cole.  He is so cute and good at soccer too!  He is just delightful to be around!  Stella kept me entertained, too...and I think by the end, she actually liked me a little bit!

Katy and Nick have recently moved into a gorgeous home, and the yard is spectacular.  We went exploring behind their property...it was cool to be so close to their house but feel like you were really out in the woods.

Then we headed to the Gristmill restaurant for dinner with Days.  It was wonderful to be outside in warm weather, and the food was so good!

 The onion rings were amazing....cannot wait to eat those again sometime!

Afterwards, we got to see the Days beautiful new home...and then we brought cute Savannah with us back to Katy's for a sleepover.  We were up early the next morning (which I was dreading because I knew it was my last day!), and we headed to Sutton's t-ball game.  I loved seeing him play.  Oh it is so hard to live away from sweet nieces and nephews!

And what would I do without this girl...my baby sister...and bestie friend.  I do not like saying good bye to her at all...I do not like being away from her at all...but I love that we have always made it a priority to see each other and spend time together no matter how inconvenient, expensive, etc.  I had a wonderful time with her...and I can't wait to see her again as our summer plans unfold!

(I have to mention that Tod did a fabulous job keeping all 5 of the kiddos...even baby Luke...seriously I don't even think they really missed me!  I am so thankful that he understands my need to see my family and is so supportive!)

March Little Things

Where did the month of April go?  Time is cruising by, and I need to get some updates on this blog.  Here are a few little things to remember from the month of March:

My dad and Pat received their mission call...to Stillwater, Oklahoma.  For the next 18 months they will teach institute classes (religion classes for college aged students) and have many other missionary adventures.  We are so excited for them and proud of them!  We are looking forward to seeing them, as this move will bring them much closer to us!!  On the day they opened their mission call, all 8 of their children's families joined in on a video call.  Such a neat experience!  The wonders of technology!

Ashton took on another new experience by joining the middle school swim team.  She has never done any kind of competitive swimming, but she jumped at the chance to learn more about something she loves.  She practiced daily for several weeks...and then participated in a swim meet.  She did a great job, and of course, we were so proud of her for continuing to embrace opportunities that are offered at her great school.   She also discovered her love for the breaststroke!  I was amazed at the progress that she made in such a short amount of time.

Here in Iowa, spring break is always in March...which means the weather is still very chilly...if you are not lucky enough to be jetting away to a warm location, you have to get creative for entertainment!  We actually had a very nice, relaxing break....it was great to be able to sleep in and have a break from all sports practices, lessons, etc.  One day we ventured over to the John Deere Pavilion...it was mostly for Cole, but everyone had a good time.

Jordan had been working for a very long time making a puppet in her art class at school.  She was so excited when her puppet was selected to be displayed in an art show at the mall.  One day, we all went to the mall to admire her accomplishment!

And just when I felt that I couldn't handle one more day of dreary winter weather, I got my opportunity to "jet off to a warm location"...and that will be my next post!