The Birthday

Finally getting around to sharing a bit of Charlotte's big 1st birthday and party! 

Friday morning . . . coming in to say good morning on her birthday.

Here's the big one year old!

Kisses for the birthday girl.

We took in some cupcakes for the big celebration at school and then on Saturday it was party time.

Looking pretty for her party!

I love this girl so much!  And now she is a toddler.

Party time!

Some crafts for the older kids to kick off the Halloween season.

The cupcakes for the birthday girl.  She was all about a blue cupcake.

Some snacks during craft time for Charlotte.

A little swinging outside before dinner.

Present time. (And like any good diva Charlotte did a couple of wardrobe changes.)

Ready for a cupcake!

Happy Birthday to you!

She really liked the frosting. A LOT.

Silly string time . . .

Watching the silly play with Ashlie.

The birthday girl crashed and then big sister finished the night off with a little tag!

Thanks for coming and celebrating with us!

Playdate

Sisters at play . . .

Charlotte is so physical.  She loves to climb, roll, fall . . . any time she can get on the floor and play with Addy she starts giggling and can't get enough.  Addy just laughs at Charlotte's silly antics.

Charlotte is 1

On Friday, our Charlie Brown turned one. We've had a wonderful year with this girl.

We are so blessed with this happy, adventurous little girl!  She has a big personality with lots of smiles and babble.  We love her so very much!

Happy First Birthday!

Not Nothing

Most of the time I am backed up and can't post quick enough.  It seems like this last week was more about "life as usual" then anything else.  Scott was out of town for a week.  I realize for most wives that is just a normal occurrancce.  For me, I am a wuss, and it means I kick in to survival mode.  Its all about ensuring the basics get done.  Kids up, dressed, out the door, hopefully with me dressed too, drop offs, work, pick ups, dinner, baths, bedtime, and chores, chores and chores.  We had a very good week.  Addy's first feild trip, school pictures for both girlies.  That being said, I really like it when Scott is back.

I did get one fun project done - I found this summer ivy wreath at Michaels for 90% off ($3.00) and I falled it up.  That is totally a word! 

I laugh every night as Charlotte eats her dinner - what a mess she makes but is so funny because she is so proud of herself as she shovels it in. 

Oh, how I love my battery candles from Costco:

And finally Charlie Brown (that is my new nickname thanks to our friend Rhema who started calling Charlotte Charlie Brown) is just loving her new standing trick.  She can get into a lot more trouble this way.

Look its Addy Bear way back when:

Many seasons in life

This is a new season in our lives in a number of different ways. 

Its fall - my favorite.  Time for crisp mornings, sunny afternoons and the smell of smoke in the evenings around our house.  Fall decorations.  Of course.

And I haven't even gotten out the pinecones or fall wreath yet, that is for this week.

Time to find some leaves to dry and press and some pumpkins to carve.  And my absolute favorite time at the farmers market, all locally grown here in WA:

Already made my first batch of my favorite pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  As always - thanks to Brandy D. for the recipe.

We survived our first full week of school.  Addy did great and is really enjoying every thing about her new world.  But man were the last two weeks exhausting.  All the families are talking about the toll its taken.  Hopefully now we can ease into a maintenance mode and enjoy a breath or two.  (I know, as I type this the first fall germs are just waiting to pounce.)

And then there are other changes in our house, baby food dinners have transitioned to meals like this:

I know - classy on the paper plates huh? :)  Haven't found anything she won't eat yet.  That includes the unfortunate time she found the dog throw up before I did.  Yup.  I just keep telling myself its all part of building a great immune system.  Right?

Her favorite food hands down is cheese.  Just plain old cheese.  Sometimes  I can't just put it out because she will shove so much cheese in her mouth at once.  I have to ration it out to her for fear of her choking on her joy of cheese.  A close second is peas and green beans - loved them pureed and loves them in big girl pieces.

The other day we were at the market and Charlotte and I were waiting on Daddy and Addy and she was getting super bored.  I took out a plum and peeled away a side of the peel and then let her nibble on it.  She ripped it out of my hands and grasped it in both of hers before I could rescue it.  Safe to say I don't struggle to get her to eat.

And instead of scootchin around everywhere Charlotte just started standing this weekend.  Its a whole new level to explore.

And now she's added in a little traditional crawl to the scootchin!

So cute to come in after her nap and see this face peering over the rail at me:

We are sure to be busy as we enter the season of holidays, birthdays (a big 1st birthday and 6th birthday), and most importantly time with friends and family to celebrate.  But its a great time of year to take in the beauty around us and the simple joys of the season.