More pictures from birthday weekend...

On Sunday we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon playing and going to the park. Here are some fun pictures from the day.

Eating leftover pasta tastes better with your sunglasses on...

Ian and Henry Farthing gave Abby a rocking horse for her birthday. She loves to ride it and to press the ears and hear it sing and neigh! It's very cute and was a big hit at the birthday party.

Again...even more fun in sunglasses.

We discovered a new park less than 1/2 mile from our house. Abby and I will definitely be frequenting it once the weather warms up.



With swings and slides...it's a great time!




And the bunny statue is fun to sit on too!

Abby's Birthday Party

On Saturday we celebrated Abby's birthday with a few good friends. Here are pictures from the big event.
The decorations...

We had Dr. Seuss books around with balloons and pictures from Abby's 1st year playing on the digital picture frame.

The cake...

James masterfully carved a number 1 out of three layers of funfetti cake and iced and sprinkled it like a pro. He has been officially designated the birthday-cake-maker for all birthdays in our house.

The guests...photographed while eating mac and cheese, fruit and hot dogs.

Nathan and Noelle (and Anna)

Ransom

Hayden

Carter and Charlotte


...and the birthday girl.

The adults ate chicken pesto pasta, which is about the easiest recipe on earth, especially when you buy pre-made pesto. I made about three times too much, but we'll have leftovers for lunch all week.

Time for cake...

Abby wasn't quite sure about all the singing...

but she got into it eventually...

and apparently the light from the candle was blinding. Just wait until you're 30 baby! Now that's some blinding light!

She ate the cake and liked it OK, but didn't care for the icing at all. James tried to put some on her lip, and she looked at him like he was torturing her. The cake has been sitting on the counter since Saturday, and she has shown no interest in wanting any more. Guess she's her father's daughter...and now I can clean icing off two plates instead of just one!


Time for presents...


the pretty pink sunglasses from Hayden were a big hit...

Ransom especially liked them.

Nathan!

Sweet Charlotte and Gracielle

Hayden and Leslie

Abby in her birthday hat...formerly a tub of cookie dough.

The balloons were a big hit.





Abby had a great time with these good friends and their parents. We appreciate all of their friendship and support not just on her big day, but all year long!

Happy Birthday to You!

As Dr. Seuss would say, today is Abby's "Day of All Days." We are so thankful for her little life and all the love and joy she has brought into our home this year.



We'll celebrate tomorrow with some cake and a few friends. Messy cake and icing pictures to come...

Abby's New Shirt

Abby got a new shirt while we were in DC.
You might have to click on the picture to see what it says...

She has no idea what she's in for on September 2nd. Hopefully, she will be able to share her vast 18 months of life experience with her new sister or brother when it arrives.

I have been feeling pretty terrible and am hoping to turn a corner at the 12 week mark next week. No complaints though-- we are very excited and thankful to see a strong heart beat and healthy little bean-like baby.

"Marvelous are your works, O God, and that my soul knows full well." Psalm 139:14

Geoff's Wedding

James' brother Geoff got married to Emily last weekend in DC. It was a joyous time of celebration with family from all over North America.

Abby liked having Xaverie to explore the church with her during the rehearsal.

Abby and dad at the rehearsal dinner (and Aunt Lorna in the background)


The Wedding Party--even though this picture is out of focus, the black dresses and black suits with red scarves and ties looked stunning with the beautiful old church.

Christopher and Abby

The nieces and nephew with the happy couple...again, out of focus.
Xaverie was the flower girl and Christopher was an usher.

Hanging out with dad...it's past someone's nap time!

Abby fell asleep on Aunt Lorna during the reception (which NEVER happens) and kept sleeping right on through the celebration in her comfy car seat.


Introducing Geoff and Emily Goodman

Anyone know what happened to Geoff's car? Christopher?



Waving goodbye to Uncle Geoff and Aunt Emily

And they're off...to the car wash.

Misc.

Here are a few snapshots from the last couple of weeks around the house...

This is Abby's birthday dress from Granma and Granpa Sligh...very cute!


One of Abby's favorite things to do is to pull ALL of the toys out of the toy box. We're still working on putting them back in.



Abby was getting tired about halfway through the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. It was too good a game to leave, so I actually ended up getting Abby to sit on my lap for about 5.5 minutes--far longer than usual. She did get upset with a few of my screams, but I tried to control myself...

Hanging out with dad...



Abby's new doll from Grandma and Grandpa Goodman...she mostly likes to poke her in the eyes, but we're working on that too...