The official 1st birthday party!!!

Okay, so you should know by now...there are gonna be a lot of pictures...25 to be exact, but who's really counting. Out of 290 pictures, 25 isn't really a whole lot!:) So, without further ado...

I chose this theme because not only is B my little monkey, but this particular monkey looks like him!

And this cake is extra special. Nonni made the monkey face and ears! She sent them home with Aaron when he was just in CO! I was trying to figure out how on earth I was going to decorate the cake when I am an amateur (and I mean amateur) cake decorator! The timing was perfect and the cake was a sinch for me to make!

Thanks, Nonni for saving the day and helping me make the cake!

I had so much fun planning this party. It was all about monkeys and bananas. You have to start off with some games...

Game #1: Make a banana out of playdough contest

Here are some of the entries...I was really surprised at the creativity. There were lots of whole bananas, but also 1 banana cream pie, several peeled bananas, a sliced and peeled banana and even the word banana spelled out!

Game #2: Find the banana's hidden around the house. (there were 42 banana runts)

This game was originally intended for the adults but the kids took to it as soon as we explained the rules. Who knew they'd have so much fun looking for little banana's everywhere!

Game #3: Poem writing contest. You had to create a poem including 4 given words. I was really impressed with the rhyming!

Game #4: Guess how many bananas in the container. (I think we like this game a LOT. Its easy, doesn't take a lot of thought, but gets people thinking.)

And then there's the food.

Since it is a 1 year old's birthday party, I wanted it to be things that he likes and enjoys, so lots of snacky foods.

We had all kinds of fun hanging out and playing the games...

And of course....the pics you've all been waiting for,

Pre-cake...

Making a wish,

And then digging right in. Not really. It actually took him a while to get into it, but I think he was more aware of all the people watching him. Noah even ran to get him a fork!

Not a bad start, but come on buddy. You can do better!

Ummm. Okay. Not quite what I meant either, but glad to see you're enjoying it.

And of course, there he goes sticking it in the ears.

But every kids gotta find out what chocolate tastes like in your ears.

I think he liiikes it!

Another tradition.

Taking a pic next to the covered-in-chocolate birthday boy. Too bad Noah didn't want to be in the picture!

And the word UPSET is an understatement for how he felt at having to be cleaned up.

I love that there is still chocolate in places even after all that clean up!

He loved seeing all the people, but liked sticking close to Mommy and Daddy for most of the time.

And then there are the guests...minus one family who was husbandless at the time of pictures and so they'll have to remain faceless:)

Bill, Eve and baby Eden.

Steve, Katrina, Caleb and Lauren

PJ, Lai and Bowen

And why not try for one more family photo. Oh, wait. What's that Noah? Gotta go save the damsel in distress. Couldn't you atleast stay for 1 picture? Pretty please?!?

I'd say the party was a smashing success!

Breven's steps to the perfect birthday...

Its my birthday....did you hear?!

Step 1:

Gotta start my day out with a good, well balanced meal. Noah...I'd like some breakfast, please.

Step 2: Send Noah off to the grocery store to get some ingredients for breakfast. Just look at all the great finds he got.

Step 3:

Celebrate!!

Oh, I'm so excited!!! I love to eat, I love to eat, I love to eat my yummy food!!

Step 4:

Watch the master at work. Can't you just smell the eggs?

Step 5:

Bond with big brother and find out what he does while I take my naps. This TV stuffs pretty interesting. How come Mommy hasn't shown me this before?

Step 6:

Chill (writers note: this is the easiest step, repeat often)

Step 7:

Listen to them all sing some silly song while they smile at me. I did like the pancake and blueberries though.

Step 8:

Learn something new. Daddy is teaching me how to show how old I am now.

Step 9:

Laugh. A lot. Everything seems better when you laugh.

Step 10:

Enjoy some family time. And a new toy doesn't hurt either.

Brotherly love

I'm gonna love you even if it hurts!

Playing with the boys!

Its fun to see them all playing so well together.

(btw-I've started watching a friend's little girl, so its not that we have a new child,

but a new friend to play with us all the time.)

I just LOVE those big blue eyes! I think the shirt makes 'em look even more blue.

Noah is such a big helper. He loves to get right up close to her and make her smile. And he's pretty good with a bottle too:)

We love our Miss Lori!

They were playing peekaboo, but this is the best shot I got...

Too bad its a bit blurry, but I love this pic anyways!!

Do you ever wonder what's going on inside their heads?

CRAZY HAIR!!!

(B has so much more hair than Noah did at the same age and its always crazy like this. Thank goodness it only takes a little water:))

I love to see how much fun these 2 have together. Noah makes Breven smile like no one else!

There are always ways to entertain on a cold snowy day, especially when friends come to play

Where did Breven go?!?!

PEEK A BOO!!!

Daddy helps Noah work

Okay, Daddy. To be able to work with me, you gotta wear your goggles.

Okay, we're all ready to work.

What? the stairs need some work? You can count on us. We'll start working on it right away.

Okay, Daddy. Make sure you saw it straight. I'll hammer this over here. Good work, Daddy!

Breven's special recipe

Hey, B-man! Whatcha doing?

I'm cooking, Mama! Can I make you my special recipe?

Okay, pot-check, spoon-check, measuring spoon-check,

Now, I just gotta remember what the recipe says...let me think...

And I can't forget to turn on the stove,

Check to make sure its working,

Oh, I remember now...just stand back and prepare to be amazed!

Chop sticks

We had stir fry the other night and we were using our chopsticks. Noah was fascinated by them and wanted to try them out for himself...

Hey, look! I have a piece of meat.

Now, how am I supposed to hold these again? And how am I supposed to eat if I can't get any of the food onto the chopsticks?

There, thats better!

Who says a boy can't play dress up?

Having a little fun with the Mr. Potatohead accessories...

You think I'd look good with an ear right here?

What else should I try?

Mama, what's a poodle skirt and why do you say my friend needs one?

And I've always wanted to try out being a fireman.

Happy birthday baby boy!!

Happy Birthday, Breven!!!

Its just so hard for me to believe that its already been 12 months since I welcomed this little one into my life. I feel like it was only yesterday I was snuggling him like this while I posted to the blog and checked my email.

Breven, you have been like sunshine bringing joy and warmth to our hearts. Your quiet, calm and laid-back personality have made the transition from 1 child to 2 much more smoothly than I anticipated.

We love your passion for food and are amazed each time we get you out of the highchair that someone so small could make such a big mess.

You solidified your hold on your brothers heart the day you "let" him come into your crib with you. We have cherished watching your friendship grow and can't wait to see all the trouble you two will cook up.

Happy birthday, baby boy. We love you!

Patience and Forgiveness

Have you ever had one of those days? Wait. Who am I kidding. We have all had one of those days. Well, I had one last week. The kind where you wish that Supernanny could come and take over all discipline from now until my child leaves for college. I had battle after battle with my willful 3 year old all day. And let me tell you, I was about to wilt.

But interestingly, it brought another picture to mind. I was standing there figuring out the best way to handle the situation and a thought came to mind: How often do I stand before my Savior and say "I want it NOW!"? How often do I demand my own way like a 3 year old or put my foot down when he asks me to do something I don't agree with? (probably more than I want to admit)

And that thought in turn helps my attitude towards my child because I know what God's response is towards me. Pure patience and forgiveness. And knowing that if God can forgive me after my countless temper tantrums, then I can show my child some patience and forgiveness as well.

And that's not to say there aren't consequences. I believe for every action, there is a consequence. For every good action, there are good consequences and for every bad action, there are bad consequences. But it allows me to deal out those consequences in a better way.

What has God been teaching you lately?

Instant growth!

Wanna know the best way to watch your child grow before your very eyes??!?!?

Have someone smaller come over!!!

Just look at how big he suddenly looks? I can't believe he's turning 1 this week! YIKES!!