A walk at the arboretum

Tonight was a wonderful night to take a walk at the UofI arboretum. Noah and I went with Grandma's Paula and Becky. Andy was out of town, so he didn't get to enjoy the walk with us. We played in the daffodils. Instead of putting Noah in the backpack or letting him ride on my shoulders, I put Noah in the jogging stoller. Which I was sure was the dumbest thing I could have done. But I was wrong. This stroller is amazing. It drove through paths of the arboretum without any problems.
We stopped to play in the tulips. At least that is what I wanted Noah to do. He was more interested in the wood chips and dirt than the flowers. Typical boy!

We walked down to the ponds and checked out the different kinds of ducks.

Noah rode on grandma Paula's shoulders. When I put him on my shoulders, he reached down to get to his grandma.

It was a beautful night for a walk and we had a lot of fun. This is only the beginning of our outdoor adventures, now that spring is here.

Goldfish Swim Class

A few of my friends from work enrolled their babies in swim class, so I did too. This was our first class. Noah jumped into the water from the side of the pool. He loved swimming in the warm water.
We had so much fun together!
Our first swim class was a success. Noah loved the water and had a TON of fun. After class was over, he fell asleep in the car on the way home and took a 3 1/2 hour nap, once we were home.

Happy 1st Birthday Noah

Today we celebrated Noah's birthday at our Church. We had a great time with many family and friends. Here is the birthday boy early in the day, before he is tired of partying.

Noah and I. Here is our newest family photo.

My mom, sister, and I spent all day in the kitchen preparing the food for the party. We had veggie bars...chocolate covered strawberries... as well as chicken alfredo casserole, and baked spaghetti with garlic bread. But of course I forgot to take a picture of the casseroles. Many people were present for Noah's party; great grandparents, great aunts and uncles, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. Here is Noah's uncle Charles and Cousin Sophia.
This is the best shot of everyone all around the room before the party started.Here is Mike holding Ella, who is fashioning Noah's new sunglasses.

Noah's great-aunt Deb, aunt Annie, grandma Paula, grandpa Pete, great-uncle Kim, and great-aunt Pam.

Grandma Paula and Noah.
Noah's lovely cake that matches the birthday napkins.
This is Noah's personal cake, ready for destruction. Noah was a very dainty cake eater in the beginning, but once he tasted how sweet and delicous it was, he dug in.

A messy boy.
Noah probably would have eaten the entire cake, but I took it away, so he didn't sugar buzz to bad before bed.

I gave Noah a rinse in the kitchen sink to get all the cake off. It was everywhere.

Then we opened presents. Noah was more interested in playing with Sophia, so I opened his presents for him. He got a lot of fun presents.

Andy is fashioning the new backpack, for us to carry Noah around in.

Noah and I having a snuggle before the party is over.

Noah had such a great birthday party. Two hours was definitely a long party for the kids at the party, Noah went right to bed once we went home, and he slept great.

It is hard to believe that he is one year old already. But what a fun and exciting first year we have had together. Nothing gives Andy and I more joy than seeing the little boy Noah is turning into.

Annie's 21st B-day Celebration

Today we celebrated Annie's 21st b-day "family dinner" style. We had a great time with each other. This is the first time Annie has been back from Eugene; so we were happy to celebrate and party. Every time our "sisters" get together we have a sister picture. These go back a long long way, we just get older and older.Annie wanted steak fajitas for dinner so that is what we had, with all the best toppings. YUM! And for dessert, angel food cake with strawberries and cool whip. Here is the birthdayday girl!
And Annie opening her presents.
And Noah just being cute like always. Annie and I.

This is the first time in almost a year since all of us have gotten together. These memories we will cherish forever.

"A Day with Duckies"

I got an email about Archer Photography's Easter portrait special "A Day with Duckies." I immediately called Andy and said, "what time works best for you because I want Noah to have pictures with these ducks." I was working so I couldn't be responsible for taking him. Luckily it was a calm day at work so I was able to go to the session. I was so happy, and we had a great time. Before the session even started, the photographer said, "Wow, look at those eyes, I have to get some pictures of those." So, we got two sessions for the price of one. And here are the pictures that were put on the CD for us. Enjoy!

This is Andy's favorite picture of them all.



This is my favorite picture, just the way he is looking at the duck. Such a boy, ready to grab and sqeeze. And he did, but the duck survived.



Noah thought the ducks were pretty cool. He was very interactive with them; watching them, grabbing them, and trying to follow them where ever they went.



This is one of the "eyes" shots.


This one is pretty sweet. I can just picture the little halo over his head.



The chair was slightly nerve wracking for me. Multiple times he tried to push him self over backwards, but I was there to save him. The photographer said he might put this picture at the mall, so keep your eyes open for it.

Spring has finally Sprung!

Noah and I went to play outside today at the park up on Residence Street. It was a beautiful day, with temperatures in the 70s.

Noah loved feeling the wood chips in his hands.

Since Noah isn't walking yet so he wasn't able to do much. But he loved to play with the shapes on the sliding bar.

After we played at the park for 1/2 an hour it was time to go home. Noah cried when I put him in the car. He wasn't ready to leave. What he doesn't know is, we can play at that park all summer because it will be just down the street from us.

Playing with the Puzzle

I don't have as story that goes with these pictures. They are just some cute pictures of Noah playing with his giant puzzle, in his diaper.

And then he forgets the puzzle and comes for the camera.