Turning One is SOOO much fun!

Balloons are SOOO much fun!

Dad is thanking our guests for attending the party.

Dad is carving the turtle cake.

Can I keep playing with this toy before we move on?

Side view of the turtle cake.

Although Colin doesn't officially turn one until this Wednesday, we had his big party this past Sunday and he had a fabulous time! We packed in 16 adults and 9 kids (including Colin) into our kitchen/den area and Colin had such a fun time walking around with a balloon and watching everyone. He was definitely excited to have all of the guests greet him when he woke from his afternoon nap.

We all enjoyed great food and fellowship, and Dad said a special birthday prayer for him before we all sang happy birthday. Then after that we all enjoyed a chocolate turtle-shaped cake (which Mom slaved over in the kitchen a good bit of the day Saturday -- turned out pretty good) and Colin and Dad opened presents. Colin just wanted to stop and play with each toy before moving on. It's hard at this age to understand the whole "opening multiple presents" concept.

Colin was fortunate to have his Grandparents and Uncle Dave visit from Colorado, and they helped with much of the photo taking during the festivities.

Take a Hike

One of the best things about living in the PNW is the abundance of urban outdoor hiking. This past weekend we all went for a hike in South Bellevue on some trails we enjoyed when we lived in our old condo. Everything is so lush and green, and the days are getting longer so that we have more sunshine to enjoy the great outdoors. Colin LOVES taking in the sights from the backpack. He gives Matt a nudge with his feet now and then as if to say, "Giddy up horsey, giddy up!"

Colin's First Steps

Colin has been crawling since December and is a little turbo, but he finally decided last week that walking might be more fun. After some cajoling from Mom and Dad, he hobbled a few steps between us. Now he's "Colin on-the-go!" He rarely walks without something in his hand(s) -- life's just too short to wak without a toy in hand!

He still stumbles over the toys that he has thrown about the floor, but he is becoming less tentative and more willing to give up the furniture cruising to walk to one of us in another room.

"Owning" My Hunger

Messy eating. It's what being a baby is all about, right? Good thing for hardwoods in our eating areas. I recently visited a friend with carpet in the dining area and wondered how she managed to keep it clean with her 11 month old's eating habits! I have been hesitant to let Colin go "all out" and just pig out on a food like yogurt with his own bowl. At this point, 5 percent lands in his mouth, and the rest is on the rest of his body, the chair (cloth chair cover, what was Graco thinking?), and my (fortunately) hardwood floors. So here goes! I let Colin "own his hunger" (as one of my books calls it). We went through several shirts this day. I guess I will continue to do lots of laundry until he learns to fully "own that hunger" with a higher hit rate!

Zoo @ the Zoo: Plan B

Last Friday was just a gorgeous day! It was indeed Good Friday! I was going to take Colin to his first outing to the zoo (my first here, as well), and a friend called as we were pulling out from the house: "There's no where to park here at the zoo!" Everybody else in this area had the same "great" idea. So, as we were driving towards Seattle, we hatched a new plan and joined Micha and Andy at the Aquarium. The boys had a good time watching the fish and seals, and even got to touch starfish.

Colin's First Easter

He is risen indeed! What a beautiful Easter Day for celebrating Colin's first Easter! We went to the third church service on Sunday and then Colin got to go on his first Easter egg hunt. He was interested in picking up the eggs, but it took a bit of coaxing to convince him to deposit the eggs into his basket. We tried for a late afternoon hunt following his nap, but in true Seattle fashion it was drizzling.

Kone Kitty

Elliot is recovering from his surgery, though he is not too fond of the elizabethan collar he has to wear. He is slowly learning how to get centered when he walks through the baby gate so he doesn't bump the collar. The vet called on Saturday to report on the lab work -- the surgery was successful in getting all of the cells from each growth -- such good news to hear!