Birthday Bash!

Yesterday, we were blessed with the oppurtunity to throw our first birthday party for our first child. I never knew how much fun birthdays were until I was able to celebrate my own child's birthday. We had absolutely gorgeous weather! Last year, it was hot-hot-hot the week after I had Zane, and most days were ozone action days. The weather was indeed a blessing, as was all of the family that was able to share in our joy with us! In total, there were about 46 of us celebrating. Though that may seem like enough people, we did still miss those who couldn't make it. :)

The decorated garage.

I decided to make Zane's cake because it was so much cheaper. I made cupcakes as well.

This was Zane's little cake.

These are Z cut out cookies I made. I must say they were delicious! This is a tradition I am hoping to start with Zane and any other future children we have. :)

It was a little daunting for me to think about all those people at our house. I worried that there wouldn't be enough to do or that we would run out of food. However, the kids stayed buzy with croquet (Joe showed some of them how to play, and they enoyed it.), horseshoes, hillbilly golf, beanbag toss, wagon rides, cars, and a scooter. We also had plenty of food and then some!
The boys show off their tossing skills.

Some of the girls hanging out with Zane. After all, he was the star of the party!

What is usually a big family basketball game, turned into croquet. We do not have a hoop at our house, but the kids really enjoyed the game! I think they liked the part where you get to go back and slam everyone else the best!

After enjoying some play time and snacks, Zane opened his presents. He really received a nice variety of gifts. He had books, clothes, diapers, a mower, sprinkler mat, wobbly penguin, silverware and dishes, balls, a Tadoodle activity center, and drum.

Zane had some help from his cousin, Allie.

Looking at a book from Great Grandma.

This gift was the most unique gift he received, and he loved it. My cousin Eric saw it at a garage sale and just had to get it for Zane. (I think it is really paybacks from my Uncle Denny and Aunt Vel when we bought Eric a marching band set!) Zane really enjoyed banging on it...especially once we removed the cover. :)

After opening presents, We all sang to Zane so that he could enjoy his own cake. It was funny; the wind blew out the candle as soon as we were done singing. :)

I think he decided he liked it! He didn't really make a mess or play in it. He just wanted to eat it. He is a kid after his Mommy's own heart!

My son is obsessed with sticks, so it is fitting that the last picture I took included them. I mean, really, what is a birthday without some birthday sticks! Ha ha!

What a wonderful day!!

Whew! What a day!

We had SO much fun for Zane's first birthday. Here are way too many pictures to illustrate it.

We got up and he had his oatmeal with yogurt and jelly toast like the previous post showed. Then he had some of his morning playtime and a bath.

Playing with the truck that Borks bought for him. He really likes it!

Play with the ball popper. Whoever made these made them backward I think. Zane wants to put the balls in the top, but that is where they pop out....hmmmm.....

We ate lunch at Olive Garden. Zane enjoyed playing with the silverware. He also enjoyed a little bit of garlic bread and some potatoes out of the soup. After our outing, he also was able to share a small bit of Daddy's vanilla Frosty. YUM!

After lunch we went to the mall to Build A Bear. We gave Zane a choice between a zebra and this dog. He chose the dog (more than once).

Here he is picking out a heart for his dog. The machine that filled the dog actually scared him. It was quite humorous.

Zane and Grandma showing off Scruffy. Yes, we gave him such an original name.

Mommy, Daddy, Zane, and Scruffy outside of Build A Bear....Well, in our case, Build A Dog!

Zane got to ride the carousel again for his birthday. He has ridden it about 5 times since it is free until age 1. When we were there last week, we mentioned that we would be back for his birthday. The ride conductor that day was so nice she gave us 6 tokens to use. When we got there for his birthday, we tried to pay, but they let us ride for free again. Daddy, Grandma, and Mommy all took a turn. :)

Judging by the movement of his arm, do you think he is enjoying himself?

See this sad little face? This is the face of sad boy because the ride had stopped. He cries every time he has to get off of the ride, or inbetween rides stopping and starting. The lady running the carousel that day was so nice as well. She would make a comment every time we went around about how cute he was, etc. It was more fun!

After the carousel ride, Zane was ready to go home and take a nap!

After supper, we had one final bit of fun before bedtime. Zane always enjoys his swing. This time he got to enjoy it with Scruffy too.

What a fun day! What a fun boy! We are blessed indeed.

My! How he's changed!

This is how Zane looked around 8:28 on July 14 last year.

This is how Zane looked yesterday, July 14, around 8:28.

He looks much happier now! Ha ha!

Jelly toast always makes him happy though!

Look Who's One!

It's hard to believe that Zane is already one. This year has flown by and has had many different ups, downs, and flips....kind of like a roller coaster. Honestly, it wast he best ride of our lives! :)

What started out as a skinny little man who would not sleep for more than about 40 minutes at a time all night long has turned into a filled out cutie pie who will give us about 12 hours of sleep at night. He was born at 7 lbs 8 oz and was about 21 3/4 inches long. Now he weighs in at about 25 pounds and is over 30 inches long. He has seven teeth, and we believe he is working on the eighth. His personality is so fun and pleasant, but he will definitely make it known when he is not happy. We feel so blessed to have such a fun little man! What a great gift God has given to us! Happy Birthday, Zane David!!
Mommy and Daddy love you very, very, very, much!

Lake Michigan

We had a good time the past two days visiting Joe's brother at his lake house in Michigan. It was our first overnight with Zane. I was very nervous about how he would sleep, especially with a broken pack and play, but I must say he slept better than I did!!

We visited Lake Michigan in Benton Harbor in the morning. It was such a beautiful morning. Zane loved the sand and loved the water. It didn't scare him a bit as it came rushing up around him. He wasn't keen on keeping his hat on though, so luckily the sun wasn't too strong. Here are some pics from our short visit at the beach.

He really liked the let the sand run through his fingers.

The waves didn't even bother him, though he did like the noise they made. :)

Here comes a wave!

SPLASH!

The wet sand was fun to squish!

Oh, another wave? No big deal.

Zane, Mommy, and Joey.

Daddy, Zane, and Mommy

(Zane was ready for a nap...hence the thumb going toward the mouth!)