Shoes!

"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world." - Marilyn Monroe

Well, our girl got her very first pair of big girl shoes and they are precious!  We had been anticipating their arrival in the mail and then, finally, they arrived!

They are Keens and we've heard really great things about them.  Plus, we got a great deal on them so... we'll see how our girl likes them!

We tried them on while she was having a little snack (and couldn't squirm away).  She didn't fight me on it so that's a good sign!  She did try to pull her foot up through the highchair to see what was going on!

Checking out her new kicks!  I think she likes them!  She really enjoys putting them on and taking them off... a fun game!

Now, everyone has shoes!  She loves her daddy's running shoes and I think she's happy to have her own pair in the shoe basket by the door!  Our girl is growing up so fast!  Cute pink shoes today... heels tomorrow?  NO WAY! 

We all scream...

for ICE CREAM!

While, thankfully, she did not scream... our girl did LOVE having a little bit of Daddy's ice cream after a wonderful family lunch last weekend.  I think every restaurant that caters to families should serve FREE ice cream after you've (over) paid for your lunch.  It is such a great way to end a meal!

And if ice cream isn't available, go for the baby sugar!  It is WAY better anyway!

The Birthday Bash!

For weeks leading up to our girl's birthday party, we've been planning, preparing and getting ready for a really fun time!

The Polka Dot Party Planners!

Finally the day of the party arrived!  Everything was perfect and precious and POLKA DOTTED!

Then the birthday girl arrived in her oh so cute polka dot bathing suit and matching sun hat!

It was so great to see friends and family come out and celebrate this very special birthday with us!

After swimming a bit... it was time for CAKE!

And I was not surprised at all that she did, of course, LOVE eating cake!  Like Mommy like daughter!

Happy, happy, happy birthday sweet girl!  It was so much fun celebrating you!

1st Birthday

Our sweet girl turned one nearly a week ago.  We had a GREAT day!  Of course, she woke up early as ever (these days around 6am) but was a happy girl from the very beginning!

A little birthday breakfast (yes, in Christmas pj's!) telling us she's 1!

After breakfast and a little time to play, our sweet babysitter came over to sit with our girl during her morning nap so Mommy and Aunt Christy could go decorate for the big birthday bash that would come the following day.  (On a side note, I adore our sweet Aunt Christy!  She has been such a huge, amazing, wonderful help for our girl's party!)

Once lunch had been gobbled up, Daddy came home early from work to spend some good QT with his precious birthday girl.

The birthday girl with her Daddy!  Again, telling us she's 1! (we'd been working really hard on that)

Nap time gave us time to figure out the birthday dinner plans.  We decided it was only fitting that we begin a birthday tradition at one of our all-time favorite restaurants - Nuevo Laredo!  I ate so many carne asada tacos at Nuevo Laredo when I was pregnant, we were certain our baby was going to come out wearing a sombrero and speaking spanish!

The birthday girl did not like the guacamole but did enjoy the refried beans! Fantastico!

Dinner was yummy as always!  Our girl LOVES people watching!  She is happy as a clam as long as she can check out everything that is going on around her!  After dinner, it was time to head home to open presents and begin our bedtime routine.

Beau looks on as she plays with her new xylophone!

In addition to her new instrument, our girl begins The Music Class next week!  We think she is going to love it and have lots of fun!

Happy birthday sweet girl!  Daddy and I love you so much and we are so proud to be your parents!  We are so thankful that God gave us you!