{Our Birthday Boy}

A year ago today our lives changed for the better. We welcomed our little boy into the world with open arms, tender care & love. It really blows me away that a year has passed so quickly. It really feels like only yesterday that my little Gavin was a tiny little thing & so fragile. Isn't it amazing how fast & how much they change?!

A year ago when we first met...

Our little bundle of joy!

And now, an entire year later...

My oh my, you are too cute!

Today has been a fun, but a crazy busy day. It was so fun to come get him this morning while singing 'Happy Birthday'. He opened up all his gifts from us, his aunts & uncles & grandparents. He loved everything! I wonder if he knew it was his special day?! :)

He got to test out his new car seat while we ran a few errands. Then he helped dad with some chores & even got to help mow the lawn!

While the boys were outside, I was in the kitchen getting things ready for Gavin's little party. Why is it that there is never enough hours in the day when you really need it? Well, everything got done & set up in the nick of time before Gavin's friends showed up. I had a lot of fun planning his party & working on all of the little decorations, table scape, treats, etc. {you are about to be hit with a picture overload - sorry!}

The Goodies
{cupcakes, cookies, chips n' salsa, pb&j, fruit n' dip, cream cheese pinwheels, gumballs, licorice, tootsie rolls, gummi frogs...}
And of coarse his very own FROG cake! It was so much fun to make. I think it turned out pretty darn cute if I say so myself :)

Some of the guests

Hanging out with the Birthday Boy!

Singing Happy Birthday.
He was more amused by the flame of the candle than by all of us singing to him.

He was timid again when it came to eating the cake. He just stared at it & would randomly poke it with his finger. So I gave him a little bite of the cake to see if it would help. It didn't. He mauls everything else, why won't he eat it? ;)
So I thought I'd bring in the professionals. Once the kids realized I was giving them permission to eat the cake, they were all over it! However, they did know it was Gavin's cake & they were very polite & cute & would ask every time if they could have some cake.

I just LOVE these pictures of the kids sharing the birthday cake!

Once the kiddos were done Gavin snacked a little more on his frog cake. Maybe this whole smash cake is more appropriate for birthdays 2 0r 3....anyone else agree?

Gavin & Mommy

Opening his birthday presents.
He had fun seeing what everything was. So did the others. They all took turns helping him open his gifts. It is so fun to see how excited the kiddos get about presents. It doesn't even matter if they're not theirs, they still give the 'ah's & oh's'. Too cute!

Thanks everyone for helping Gavin celebrate his special day! Whether near or far, he knows he is loved by his family & friends. I feel so grateful to be surrounded by such love.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAVIN!!!
Mom & Dad love you very much!