Lily's Winter ONEderland Party

We had a Winter ONEderland Party for Lily's 1st Birthday!

Mom made cute penguin cupcakes and even made them dairy free for Lily & me!  

Even though Lily can't have dairy, I wanted to do a hot cocoa bar for her guests!  We also had mac & cheese, sweet chili meatballs and a cranberry-almond-spinach salad for lunch.

Lily had no idea what to think about everyone singing to her.  The minute we were done singing, Cait blew out the candle so we had to try again.

Lily REALLY got into her cupcake!!!

She did not, however, like being cleaned off!!!

Cait also had fun with her cupcake!

Lily got lots of fun toys and clothes and shoes.  Her cousins and siblings enjoyed helping her open her presents!

It was a grand birthday party and Lily slept 2 hours afterwards, being passed from mommy to daddy to Gramma while we sat visiting.

Lily had her doctor appointment yesterday and she weighs 23 pounds and 10 ounces and she is 30.5" tall!  Such a big girl!

Life is Beautiful!

Here's a look at the adventures our family has had this month.  It's been a busy whirlwind month with lots of fun.  Birthdays, Valentine's Day, dates, road trips and more!  School is going great for both Cam and Bren.  Bren will finish Geometry soon and we're gearing up for him to start his Senior year early!  Cam is progressing well in reading and math.  He had a great memory!

Earlier this month, Lily celebrated her birthday early with Grandma and Grandpa P.  Cait and Cam had fun helping Lily open her present.

Lily got adventurous climbing the slide out back!  She LOVED it!  It's been amazing to watch her blossom this month.  She's really taken off on her abilities and personality!

We had a quick trip to Lawton to celebrate PawPaw's birthday.  Bren helped Granny with some rental property work.

On Friday we had a Valentine's Day Party with our PE group.  The little kids had fun playing games with balloons and then eating lots of treats!

This past Saturday we had a great time volunteering at the Anadarko Food Bank at Oakridge Camp. This has been a way for our whole family to serve together, even the littles!

After serving, we had lunch with our Oakridge friends and then got to play on the camp grounds.  Bren, Cam, Cait and even mom played on their massive tree swing.

Lily enjoyed being outside, especially a ride on daddy's shoulders!

Cait in her Valentine's outfit from Granny; Lily in her birthday outfit from Grandma P with her new walker from Aunt Laura and family.

Grandma P gave us some cookie cutters during their visit.  This week, Cait made heart cookies and Cam made bats!

Cait has been wearing shirts for skirts!  It sure is funny what kids will come up with!  I am so thankful for these blessings.  They make life challenging.  They make life beautiful!  Thank you, God!

My Baby Turns ONE!

It sure happens fast.  Seems like it just happened.  Lily, you took your time getting here and it wasn't the wonderful birth story I thought I would tell.  In fact, it was the hardest of my four.  But once I held you, sweet little one, all thoughts of pain and agony were forgotten.  It's a miracle that God gives us, to hold new life.  One that was knit in my womb for almost a year.

We've struggled with tummy problems and PPD but look how far we've come!  You are blossoming everyday and we can tell that you are enjoying life more and more.

Your favorite thing to do is to sing with mommy or daddy.  And we love to sing to you.  You have started to climb recently and even took several steps yesterday!  You love your brothers and sister.  Spaghetti and blue berries are the only foods that you seem to love but you are branching out more and more.  It's true that your favorite activity is nursing but you seem to be accepting that I'm trying to get you to eat more food and nurse less.  You are timid of others and you like mama to hold you.

Lillian, you are so precious to us.  We love your hugs and kisses.  Your smile brightens up a room.  You are a smart little cookie and we can't wait to see what the next year of your life holds!

We'll go to the doctor next week to see how you've grown.  And your party will be Saturday, what fun we will have!

Happy Birthday, Little Bit

We Love You!!!

Everyday Life

Last Sunday, before the museum but after lunch, our church friends joined us in making Valentine cards for children at the JD McCarty center in Norman.

Laundry Day!  Yay for helpers!

Lily's favorite food is spaghetti.  It is also her favorite moisturizer and hair conditioner!

Tuesday ended up being my office day so that I could check out some new insurance rates.  I also made my all-time favorite pork ribs!  Lots of soy sauce, garlic, Italian seasoning and lime juice!

It has been beautiful weather this week and we've gotten some good outside time.  A must for a stay-at-home mom!  My pansies are thriving and they are so cheerful!

Bren still avoiding photos.  And doing "school" in PJs.  Cait and Cam enjoyed Valentine craft time thanks to a special delivery from Granny.  And Cam had fun playing with his Pocket Volcano from Gramma and Papa.

Wednesday we visited some really special friends and I took no pictures at all.  Just relaxed and enjoyed good coffee and good conversation. {above: Cait is finishing a cupcake that we brought home from our friends house.  MESSY!} Thursday we crammed school in.

Friday we went to the JD McCarty center to deliver our Valentines with our church friends.

I got treated to a pedi by my sweet hubby and then I painted Cait's toes.  I also gave Lily her first toe polish.  Aren't those the cutest fat toes you've ever seen?!

On Saturday, Grandma and Grandpa P came to visit us for lunch and an early celebration of Lily's first birthday.  Then Family Night with my family.  {I stole the pictures from mom - thanks, mom!}

Cait wore pig tails for the occasion!  Bren entertained his cousins with the X-Box.

Cam brought his science kit and the cousins helped make goo.  We ate homemade soups with homemade croutons, a tossed salad, toasty bread and ice cream sundaes for dessert.  It was all delish!

Even though it was a busy week, we're making good memories.  Life is ever changing and I'm trying to embrace the busy and the slow.  These kids are growing up way too fast.  They sure are my treasures!