ONE YEAR OLD!

There is simply just never enough time!  Time has flown by!  On Friday we celebrated our baby girl's first birthday and then had a party with friends and family on Saturday.  I can remember the day that Josephine was born very clearly.  We were so anxious for her to get here, but she came when she was ready.  She definitely does things at her own pace and as she wants to...you can't force her into anything.  She is a stubborn one!  This year has been absolutely amazing.  She has taught our family so much in the short time she has been with us.  We have all grown together as a family and can't imagine life without her.  She is a ray of sunshine to anyone she meets.  We frequently have people who stop us in stores, parks, church, pretty much anywhere that just want a sweet smile from her and to oogle over her sweetness.  I hope she keeps that sparkle in her forever.  This morning she went to the doctor for her checkup.  She was all smiles as the doctor checked her ears and eyes and giggled as the doctor checked her tummy.  Then, as the doctor was getting ready to leave, Josephine reached out her arms to her doctor for a hug.  This brought tears to the doctor's eyes.  She said that she needed a hug this morning and she couldn't imagine getting a better one, especially an unsolicited hug from an innocent one year old.  That is the kind of baby Josephine is.  She knows how to make people feel important and loved.  Even after getting her shots she mustered up the courage to blow the nurse a kiss as we walked out of the room.  Words cannot express how much I love her!  Here are some fun pictures from her amazing photo shoot by Kat's Photography and from all the many birthday celebrations.

Showing off her outfit on her birthday

The kitty she picked out and made at BABW

What is a trip to the mall without playing in the play area?!?

Showing off her new shoes!

The table at her birthday party

She loved opening presents

I think she was excited about this outfit

She loved the cradle we gave her.  It was mine when I was a little girl and I restored it for her.

BIRTHDAY CAKE!

YAY for Sugar!

Oh my gosh!  I'm ONE!?!

Little Ladybug!

LOVE this one

Look at those eyes

 Here are some fun facts about our BIG girl!

*She is in the 65% for height and the 50% for weight!

*She is still cruising and has tried standing a few times.  

*She doesn't like to walk around barefoot and prefers to be in shoes to try walking.

*She loves to eat and will try anything if you are eating it too

*She cut two molars without me even knowing!

*She waves, blows kisses and nods her head

*She is BUSY and we frequently misplace her around the house (good thing our house is small)

*She loves baby dolls and giving them kisses

*She is a cuddler

*She gets scared around too many people and let's you know quickly (and loudly) if she has had enough

*She really doesn't like the cup much, but we are trying

*She needs to move up a size in diapers but I am determined to use up the ones I have 

*She LOVES ice cream and is furious if you don't share yours with her

*She is making listening in church more and more difficult...she just wants to go and visit EVERYONE

*Her brothers are her favorite

A Camping We Did Go, A Camping We Did Go...

Alex had asked that we go camping as a family for his birthday.  I was thrilled to not have to worry about the hassle of a birthday party while the house is on the market, so I jumped at the idea.  We picked a place that we had never been and decided to rent a cabin for the weekend.  We went to Caddo Lake which is located in east Texas.  It was absolutely gorgeous there.  Spring was just starting to come alive.  The Wisteria was in full bloom and the Red Bud trees were popping little purple flowers everywhere.  I have to admit that it was a bit chilly when we were on the lake (crazy Texas weather decided to send us a random cold front) but it was beautiful.  We spent a little time fishing (no luck in that department), hiking (our favorite part) and enjoying the quiet.  We completely unplugged from all electronics.  It was really nice not to worry about emails, phone calls, Facebook or anything else for a few days.  We also enjoyed learning about the history of Caddo Lake and the surrounding cities as well as learning about the Civilian Conservation Corps and seeing the things that they had built and had been restored in the state park.  We loved reconnecting as a family and decided that we need to do these simple little trips more often.  Maybe one day we will go to ALL of the state parks in Texas (that might be a bit ambitious...Texas is HUGE).  Here are some fun pictures from our trip.  I hope I will remember this time with my family forever, it was truly a blessing to have this time together.

Big as Yo' Face Pancakes!

Inside a Cypress Tree

It was COLD while fishing

Teaching Eric how to fish with his new fishing rod

Playing outside

On our hike

Love them!

My silly boys

Eric being Tarzan

My favorite memory from the whole trip.  I walked out of the bathroom after taking a shower and found them curled up together sleeping.  They had been reading a book by the fire and they stayed like that all night.

Our cabin

Playing outside