Turning One...

Walker had a great first birthday celebration on Saturday. We celebrated his first year of life with Walker's grandparents and his aunts and uncles plus his favorite babysitter. :) We had his party at Lazy Acres, which is a cabin with a lake located near our house and owned by some dear family friends, Judy and George. (Judy as in Walker's sitter).

Here's a picture of the Curious George cake we had made for Walker and of his smash cake that we actually made ourselves. We had fun make the smash cake and in our opinion it didn't turn out terrible. Pretty good for two inexperienced cake decorators!















This was the center piece on the table with snacks. Cute, huh? :)












Let the cake eating begin!! He was so cute with his cake. It started slow and I thought he wasn't going to dig in and then he just started flapping his arms up and down in the cake and it was flying everywhere...He laughed and screeched and had a good old time. He rubbed it all in his hair and insisted on feeding us some as well.















He even decided to show off his mean face on this special occasion.















This is the last picture taken of Cliff and I before things got out of control. Seconds later I was covered in cake as well. Nice sticky hair.














And since Mommy's hair was sticky...Walker's had to be also!











He wasn't interested in opening his presents, but these came already put together so they were fun! Once home, he liked all his presents. Some still aren't put together though because he got several things that require space and time. Neither of which we have an abundance of. :) Cliff's working diligently to get the "game room" turned into a playroom so that all this stuff can reside there.


























And what better way to end a party than with a birthday nap?? He fell asleep while my mom walked around singing to him about an hour after the party was "over" and we were all just hanging out and enjoying each other's company. He didn't even open his eyes when we laid him down on Aunt Red's sleeping bag in the grass. He slept about 45 minutes or so.

I wanted to keep this short because I've got lots to do but I do have to mention that Walker has recently found humor in seeing Cliff and I kiss. He was in his highchair when Cliff came home the other night and when he gave me a kiss, Walker started giggling. So, we did it again and again and again and every time, he cracked up. The next night while he was in the tub, Cliff came in the bathroom and kissed me. Walker again boiled over with laughter. I guess it gives us an extra good reason to kiss, huh? :)

He's also started telling us what he wants to eat and when he wants his milk. He goes to the fridge and says "milk" or "unh" whichever he's in the mood to say and that means "get my milk, please..." When he's done with his milk he always puts it away...just maybe not in the right place. Sometimes he does take it to the fridge and indicate that he wants me to put it up, but other times I find it hidden in the kitchen cabinets, inside his bus, in the trash can, on the window ledge, etc. It's always placed somewhere strategic. Silly kid.

He gets to walk into church now. He has started resisting this. He walks across the parking lot proudly, holding our hands...but as we get closer to the doors he starts to squat down and put all his weight in his "sit" and pull back on our arms. He does this if we are outside playing too and he isn't ready to come inside...and when he manages to get in our bathroom, which we work hard to prevent. Related to that, he will turn and look at us when he's venturing into "no-no lands" and then giggle and take off with a very fast walk/slow run into wherever he knows he shouldn't be going. What a character!

Tomorrow our baby turns 1. This day last year I was pacing the house wondering if I was actually in labor...calling everyone I knew that I thought could figure it out for me...and wondering what in the world the next 24 hours held. I had no idea how one day could change my entire life. I'm so unbelievely greatful to the Lord for the way He's blessed us with our little boy. Why in the world He chose us to raise one of his precious children is beyond me, but I can honestly say this has been the biggest blessing we've received as a married couple. We absolutely cannot wait to see what the next years hold for us.