Guess who's ONE!

Hard to believe that a whole year has gone by already!!! Also hard to believe that we were just taking her home one year ago, yesterday. There were a few trying moments those first few days...mostly due to lack of sleep, pregnancy hormones and oh yeah, this was THE BIGGEST THING that ever happened in our lives up to this point!!!! But even just one year later I'm having trouble remembering just how that all went. When did she start sleeping through the night? When did she first smile? When did she first really notice us? When did she start eating solid food? Then feeding herself? And laughing? And talking? And meowing at Pesto? And crawling? And cruising? Sure I have all these things written down...but it is so amazing to me just how much has changed in one short year. She came to us totally helpless and dependant and now, already she is such a little person! I love to hear her babble and wonder just what is going on in that head of hers. I love to watch her respond to people...everywhere! She is quite the social butterfly these days, waving, staring and smiling at almost everyone...whether or not they even realize it.
We really are so blessed and thankful that God gave us this special little girl. We continue to be amazed at how God has been so gracious to us. Tobi is a constant reminder to us of how amazing our creator is and also how dependant we are on Him for her future. We can make all the decisions we want, but it is only God who really knows what lies ahead, what plans He has for her...and we are the fortunate ones who get to be there and witness it all first hand.

Happy Birthday sweet baby girl! We love you SOOO much!


For the rest of the party pictures you can go here.

Sun, sun and more sun!

It's been a while since my last post...but with the arrival of the sun who has time to sit inside. We have been busy...and loving every minute of it (with the exception of Tobi's ER visit).

July 4th weekend started off with a bang...literally. Tobi slipped trying to pull herself up on the kitchen chair and split her lip open. She was bleeding... a lot...and I was useless. Fortunately Ben was there to take over and tell me that my "oh no"- ing was not helping. A trip to the ER and 4 stitches later and she was good as new.I thought my Dad was joking when he called the next morning to say that Nate was in the ER. Of course they had to one up us...Nate went in the ambulance, neck brace and all. He did a headstand on the couch, heard something pop and then couldn't really move after that. He spent a few hours in the ER getting x-rays and all kinds of other tests...but they couldn't pinpoint the problem, they could just rule out the big stuff. He eventually made it to the cookout and he arrived in style...
But a few hours later he was able to get up and even run around (tentatively) with the other kids.

We had the 3rd annual "Parade around the Parade". It was short lived due to impending rain and storms, but still it was fun! Tobi got to ride with Shanayah, pulled by her Daddy...she seemed to enjoy it:
And of course Morning Glories...what would a family gathering be without them?

For more 4th of July pics you can go here.

On July 1st Sadie Mae turned 1 and Makayla Ruth turned 3 on July 17th...so of course there was a party...a Princess Party!
One year old meets cake...and enjoys!
There were some princes at the party too.

Some other outings included a hike in the very wet woods of Patuckaway...
Trips to the ocean...
Trips to the pool...
and to the park...
We are not sitting still...and we like it that way!