Partay Photogs

Harper's Birthday Party ended up being really great!  We worked our tails off in the weeks before to get our house and yard spiffied-up.  All the hard work paid off, and her little shindig was lots of fun!  Short and sweet for all the kiddos, lots of stuff to do, and no meltdowns--woohoo!  Here are some pics to recap:

You Were Born.

One year ago, our lives changed forever.  You were born.  The joy and anticipation of the 9 long months waiting for a first baby is like nothing you can ever experience again.   We were simply deliriously excited for your arrival.  I was high on pregnancy.  On May 18, 2012 you were finally here-in our world-via a beautiful birth that I love reminiscing on, even now.  It has been a magical, tremendous, awe-filled, and challenging year.  You have taught me so much--about the depths of life, the depths of myself, and you.  I know you will teach me even more as the years go by.  I cannot wait for all we will experience together in the years to come!  Even at merely a year old, I am so proud of you.  Your life has been the greatest gift and my love for you is truly immeasurable.  Happiest BIRTHday, Harper Jane.

Birthday Shoutout!!

Baby Kyle is TWO!!!!  

Hardly even a baby anymore...but, let's face it, Kyle...you will always be baby Kyle to us.

You were the first baboo to join our awesome circle of friends.  When you were born, you suckered us all into baby fever with your extreme cuteness!!  You led the way for us all into parenthood with your easy going and adorable personality.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Kyle!  I have SO enjoyed watching you grow up.  You are incredibly special to our family.  We love you.

Texas Vaca Recap

We came, we saw, we conquered our Texas vacation!

Our family had a wonderful time visiting old friends, eating at some old food favorites that bring me great nostalgia, and also chasing a wild baby around at a wedding!  My friends from high school finally got to meet our little gal, which meant so much to me.  She's at the perfect age for introductions!  Cuter and more fun than ever!  She even got to play with my friend Jess' son Noah who just turned two.  He loved baby Harper.  The next morning after they had played together, Jess texted me that the first thing Noah said into his baby monitor was "I play Harper."  How cute is that?!

But, of course, our trip was way too short.  Luckily, Josh and I will be back at the end of June (JUST THE TWO OF US, WOOOO!) for my 10 year reunion.  SO looking forward to that little getaway!

So quick story: the best part of our trip??  Well, we arrived JUST in time for Lauren and Stefan's wedding (we literally walked in as they were ushering the mom's down the isle to their seats).  Phew, we made it!  It is a gorgeous ceremony, in a stunning Baptist church that is disguised as an old Catholic cathedral.  My friend Scott sings two jaw-dropping songs during the wedding.  During the second song, our feisty little girl starts BARKING LIKE A DOG (woof-woof)...oh my gosh...the more we shushed her, the louder and more pronounced her 'woofing' got.  Oh, she is too much!!!  We were all dying laughing.  Harper is woofing uncontrollably while Scott is singing a beautiful rendition of Ave Maria.  Josh had to take her out into the hall.  I will never forget this one!  I predict we'll be retelling this tale for years to come ;-D

Now we're back home and working our hiney's off to prepare for our almost ONE YEAR OLD'S birthday party this weekend!!  WOW!  More on that later...xo

The Mud Prince and Princess

So...THIS happened at the end of our zoo date today.  Tara and I both just kinda watched in amazement and let it happen.  Oh my, what a huge mess!!!

They were having so much fun.  Obviously in baby mud heaven.  It really was hilarious.  One minute they were roaming around on the green, the next they were splashing (and then sitting) in a mud puddle.  Thank goodness for cameras, baby wipes, and extra changes of clothes!  Oh, and serious car snoozes after fun like that.  Too cute.