Look who is 1!

At the end of May Lizzie turned 1! She is so much fun! She says mama, dada, brother (not sure how to spell it the way she says it), mo (more), and her favorite at the moment...uh-oh. She is really a lot of fun. She is friendly and gives out smiles to anyone who smiles or talks to her. She is a little girl who knows her mind, if she wants something there is no distracting her, she will get it. This is a great adult characteristic not so much a great toddler characteristic from mom's point of view. She love her mom and gets so excited when her dad gets home that she totally forgets about mom. She adores her big brother and asks for him the moment she wakes up.  She is a climber and a walker. 

We love this little girl!

I bought cupcakes since, her party was planned for Saturday. So yummy!

Patrick switched his call so he could be there for cupcakes.

Lizzie, enjoyed every bite!

Our friends joined us.

Kisses for mom!

  Grandma, Granddad, Aunt Laura and Uncle Randy were able to come for the weekend to celebrate with us. Granddad and Grandma even helped paint our playroom, gone are my mosaics from trying to decided which color to choose, Patrick was pleased even if he was too tired to show it as he was on call all weekend.

Grandma time!

Yummy Food!

We were so lucky to have Patrick for a few hour, we waited to have the party until he could get home.

This girl loves watermelon! 

Waiting for Patrick meant that the party was right during nap time.

A little juice... 

...a promise of cake...

and Lizzie was ready for a little more fun!

These three girls are our best friends. We do a lot with them. Andy has recently decided to marry Belle, she had to do some convincing to get him to decide that it wasn't gross even if she was his friend;).

Andy and I made Lizzie a pinata. 

Lizzie enjoyed it even if it was a ladybug with a neck-brace.

Gathering pinata treats...

...and a few more treats.

 Present time!

So this picture does not do justice to how wet Lizzie was after Andy turned the hose on everyone while filling up the pool. All the adults dove for cover leaving Lizzie to fend for her self. I think she enjoyed it.

Lizzie love all of her generous gifts.  Thank YOU!

Since my Dad's only wish was to go to the beach, and he was well deserving of it after painting all Friday, we cleaned up the party we went to the beach. Lizzie loves the water just like Andy. I don't know how I gave birth to two fish especially since I am a land lover, but I did.

I laugh every time I see this picture. They were watching one of the amusement rides near the boat ride.

This little guy loves anything that "drives".

MAY

It is only the 2nd of June and I am getting pictures from May up. Are you impressed?? Well you should be. Patrick is busy studying so I thought I would post some pictures. 

Our little Ladybug trying some watermelon...

Do you think she liked it? Look at those two bottom teeth. (5/01)

Patrick took a long weekend off work so he could go fishing with my Dad, Troy and Randy, we followed him to spend some time with my sisters and the cousins. My mom spent a little time with us but had to leave for Utah for my cousin's wedding reception shortly after we got there. We all had a good time. I don't have pictures from the fishing trip, Patrick will have to post those. We all had a marvelous time.

Andy pulled out our camera to take some pictures, he had Grandma take one of him first. (5/02)

Pretty good picture, he has Grandma centered and in focus.

My turn to be photographed.

And we can't leave out "spider-man" bear.

While the Men where fishing, the girls (except my mom) and the kids spent a couple of nights at the cabin.

Lizzie enjoyed Ava's blocks. (5/03)

Watching and learning.

We took a guided tour of California Cavern. Laura was nice enough to stay behind with Lizzie. Which was a good thing since Andy ended up getting a little scared and wanted to hold both of my hands the entire time saying "I want to turn back." Even though the guide offered us a chance to head back early with another group and get a refund, I told her that if she didn't mind we would complete the tour. Andy finished the tour on his own two feet. His anxiety lessened when we talked about the cave being "the Bat Cave". He decided that batman was not there because he was out catching bad guys.

The group at the entrance, happy with our hard hats. (5/04)

In the cave Andy not so sure about the whole thing didn't want a picture.

I talked him into letting me take a picture. Can you tell he was just thrilled?

 After the tour Aunt Leta bought a couple of bags of dirt with treasures for the kids to pan for in the sluice at the visitor center.

Panning done, treasures extracted from the dirt, time for snacks.

Yummy Oranges!

The next day we packed up and headed back to my Parents to meet back up with everyone else, but first we stopped to play at a lake.

Cousins! (5/05)

Braving the water.

Enjoying the snacks.

Lizzie loves water...

and rocks...

and mud... Just kidding, that is chocolate on her face...I think.

 Leta, Malissa and the kids went home to change while we waited for my mom and the men. Andy and Lizzie enjoyed some quiet sibling time.

blowing kisses

hugs

cheese.

 Once the men of the family got home and parked the boat the kids though they would climb in.

Andy felt that he should be the captain.

Funny faces.

Lizzie's photo shoot.

 The next morning we got up loaded up and said our goodbyes. I really hate goodbyes, I wish we lived closer!

Daddy's girl.

Snuggles.

Ready to go.

 The Saturday before Mother's Day my friend Julia and I run our first half marathon. It was a lot of fun, although I think I am still recovering. We did most of our training with four kids and two double jogging strollers. I guess Andy's "super fast bubblegum" he gave me to store behind my ears and chew during the race (imaginary bubblegum less you think I put gum behind my ears and then chew it) worked because we ran 15 minutes faster then we thought we would. Our time was 2 hours and 15 minutes plus a few seconds. I am pretty proud of us. I have been wanting to run a half marathon for years. Thank goodness for Julia who decided to join me in training! She is a great friend! Patrick was so good to watch the kiddos that morning and packed them up, with my sister's Leta and Laura to come support me. I am so blessed.

Our fan club/training crew. (5/11)

My partner in crime.

"Mom these towels and apron, just jumped out of the drawer and caught me totally off guard!"

I will just help you put them away.

 Happy Mother's day to Me! I got to spend it hobbling around with my two sweet children and amazing husband!

Wrestling. (5/12)

My Little Monkey!

 Lizzie took her first hands free steps on May 6th but I didn't get any pictures but here is a video we took of her on Mother's Day. Enjoy and stay tuned for Lizzie's first birthday withing the next couple of days...hopefully.