Birthday extravaganzia!

Get ready for a marathon blog post! We celebrated Henry's first birthday on Saturday with TWO parties! Our first was a birthday brunch with family. Above is Henry's personal cake (carrot cake with cream cheese frosting)!
. . . and the cake for everyone else!

Henry was very interested in the candle!

He was pretty mesmerized by the flame. Cousin Nolan tried to help him blow out the candle, but after several attempts on Nolan's part, we had to pass the duty on to candle-blowing expert: Cousin Brynn.

Henry's first taste of something sweet! To be quite honest, he wasn't all that excited about it . . . . he certainly enjoyed the taste, but didn't go gaga over it. I guess we'll have to go back to his healthy diet again! :)

Henry and his partially eaten cake!

Henry had fun opening all his awesome gifts!

"Birthday parties are so fun- especially when they are for me!"

After everyone left our birthday brunch, we had a few last minute things to do before round two! Auntie Jennies practically lived at our house while she helped with all the preparation for the party! THANKS! :)

Lion cupcakes for the friend party at the park! We had the kids wear Halloween costumes and Henry is a lion this year (hence the lion cupcakes). (On a side note, the blog is automatically turning this pic on its side- weird!)

Getting ready to pass out the cupcakes!

Below is an elephant and giraffe enjoying the swings! :)

Pumpkin painting

parachute playing

After all the fun at the park, we headed back to our house with a few of the party-goers and opened up more gifts (even though no one was supposed to bring a gift!). Henry got this adorable chef hat and apron from his buddy John!

And here is Henry on Sunday morning enjoying one of his new gifts!

All in all, an amazing weekend celebrating our little buddy!

Henry turns 49-51 weeks old!

I was soooo good at taking weekly bunny pics . . . up until the very end of his first year. What can I say, life has been crazy busy! Here is the little man on Monday, October 11, 2010.
In the last few weeks, Henry has lots of new tricks! He gives high fives, says "yes" (pronounced "yeesh"), says, "ma" and "da", throws anything and everything over the stair gates and watching the objects toppled down the stairs, walks proficiently, climbs on, in and out of baskets, hampers, etc., and throws his cup and food off his tray (a trick we're trying to break!) He is such a fun guy!

Duluth with the Aslesons

We spent a gorgeous weekend in Duluth with my sister and her family! We did a bit of hiking on Saturday afternoon.

The Aslesons- Jen, Darren, Brynn & Cara

Walking through the woods . . .

The dads took the kids for a dip in the pool Saturday evening.

Henry and his dad!

Cara doing a bit of relaxing.

Brynn showed us her diving skills! Very impressive for a three-year-old!

Rub a dub- three kids in the tub

On Sunday morning we walked along the water. This is our first picture together without our little man since he's been born (he happened to be sleeping in the stroller at the moment!)!

Henry and dad in front of the lift bridge.

All in all, an awesome weekend! Great company, great food, great weather!

A visit to Farmer Dan and his donkies

After visiting the Farmington Clinic last week (another ear infection), we stopped by Farmer Dan's vegetable stand. Henry was delighted to pet the animals! :)

Splish, Splash I like to read in the bath

West Point

Tom had his 10-year reunion from West Point this past weekend. We left early Friday morning and after two plane rides and an hour-and-a-half car ride, we were all ready to move our bodies! Tom and Henry stretched out in the pool!
Later on, Henry dined at the hotel room desk. Afterwards, he checked his email, facebook page, twitter account, etc. to keep his peeps updated on his travels.
We got Henry gussied up for the fancy dinner on Friday night. He lasted, hmmmm, about five minutes. I'm sure glad I brought my fancy duds to wear for that whole time!

On Saturday, Henry got his first experience dining in the mess hall. Let me tell you, it is quite the experience. I'm still not quite sure what it was we ate!

Tom and Henry posing in front of one of the many monuments on campus.

Henry and dad walking through the fields.

He loved running around in the grass! :)

We tailgated before the game . . .

You wouldn't know it from this picture, but it was a pretty good games as far as Army football goes (Henry must take after his dad and get a bit bored with the game of football!). They were actually leading at the half, but then promptly lost that lead and never regained it. Bummer. When Army does score, they shoot off the cannons- which are VERY LOUD! But good ol' Henry slept right on through them!

Dad and Henry with the stadium in the background.

Don't let these honky dory pictures fool you . . . we did have a great time connecting with some of Tom's old college buddies, however, traveling with an almost-one-year-old is not easy!!!

When we finally got home on Sunday night (again, after an hour-and-a-half car ride and two flights), Tom said, "I really love playing with Henry. But I think I love it best at home." I couldn't agree more. We needed a weekend away but it sure felt good to be home. Now I just have to gear up for our trip to Dallas in two weeks. YIKES!

My great helper!

Henry helped me get some mums planted last week. He was such a great helper! :)
Never in a million years would I have thought I'd let my baby eat dirt. But I never thought I'd do a lot of things I've been doing once I became a mother! (I'm not really "letting" him eat the dirt, but at the moment I thought it would make a cute picture so what can ya do?!?!?)