Your Birthday Party!

Anniston's Old Fashioned 4th of July Birthday Party! 

I cannot believe I am writing about your first birthday party already! I find myself reading through old blogs and it is truly amazing how much you've grown in one short year! I feel like all our friends and family were here celebrating your birth! 

Since your birthday falls so close to the Fourth of July, I thought I would do an Old-Fashioned 4th of July theme! It was so fun getting stuff ready for this party! I love how it all came together and couldn't be more grateful for all the family and friends that came to help celebrate your special day! 

Here are a few of my favorites! 

Dig In Anniston Jean! Her Smash Cake!

My favorite family photo! Say Cheese!

Make a Wish! 

Table Centerpieces!

She loved opening gifts!

Happy 1st Birthday Anniston Jean! 
Daddy and Mommy Love You to the Moon & Back!

52:51 Father's Day

I Want to Remember

Father's Day

 I want to remember your first Father's Day. We had just gotten back from Vegas and this holiday came up so quickly! Your Grandpa Parr and Daddy spent the entire day and night working away in the basement and actually finished it! So it seemed more like a Mother's Day gift! We dressed you up in a Daddy's Girl outfit and worked away in the kitchen, while they worked away in the basement! We made them Walleye, potatoes, beans, salad, and a yummy chocolate dessert! Then we opened gifts and you snuggled up with your daddy and went to sleep for the night. You always seem to fall asleep so quickly whenever he rocks you to bed. I think that you feel safe and loved in his arms - as you should. I can't wait to watch your relationship grow, as you grow. You are such a Daddy's girl and have been right from the start. Your giggle whenever he dances with you, your smile shines as he does brave things with you and you melt away whenever he rocks you. I hope you know how lucky you are to have such a wonderful Father!

Good Morning Daddy! 

I love you to the moon and back! 

You love writing with pens and crayons!

Papa loved his card and watching you open his gift!! 

And you even loved his gift! How does this work Daddy?

My two favorite Daddy's finishing our basement!! 

Daddy rocking you to sleep. 

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

  Daddy's Little Helper
Anniston loves "helping" with all our household chores - dishes, washing windows, and folding clothes. But she really seems to loves helping her daddy with everything he does! She is so intrigued by all his tools and gadgets. It is ridiculous trying to finish all these projects and keep this house baby proofed. So instead, as Nick works, I am constantly removing things from Annie's reach, her mouth, and even her diaper. Yes, she has put tools in her diaper...oh Anniston! But at least she is an adorable helper to have on hand! 

52:50 Going to Vegas

I Want to Remember

Going to Vegas

 I want to remember bringing you to Vegas. I know, Vegas isn't your typical first born destination, but it definitely held your attention! Your Auntie A and Uncle Ty wanted to celebrate their 30th and 21st birthday, so we decided to make a big family trip out of it - of course! I wasn't sure how you would handle the time change, the heat, the busy lifestyle, and the airplane. But you were such a riot! You spent the days splashing away in the pools, walking the strip, taking in the busy casinos, trying new foods and dancing to the music! You seemed to make people smile wherever we went and we couldn't have been more proud! We didn't win any money while we were there - but we sure felt lucky having you there for the journey! 

Getting on the Plane to Head to Vegas! Show me the Money!

A view from the top!

At the Venetian Hotel just before our gondola ride! That Accordian player sang songs specifically to you! He was so sweet!

At dinner with Auntie A!

One of Nick's Elevators in the Cosmopolitan Hotel! 

Nickolas in an MEI elevator!

On the gondola! 

He sang Anniston lullabies!

We went out for dinner at this fun restaurant! You loved trying all the new foods!

 What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas
Well, I don't think that phrase was meant for me to leave my purse containing my iPhone, credit cards, and camera. Unfortunately, they were all left on the taxi as we were getting dropped off at the airport! Terrible timing right?! So my pictures of this trip are VERY limited, which really saddens my heart! I had to go through some ridiculous security and even got felt up - why not, isn't that what Vegas is all about?! 
Crazy enough I was able to track my phone until 4:35am, when it actually died. iPhone has this amazing feature that your phone can go into "Lost Mode" and you can track it to the exact intersection every 30 seconds. Unfortunately, Vegas is the land of taxi cab drivers, so they wouldn't notify the particular taxi that we were in, saying they had my phone. So, long story short, I knew where my iPhone was, I watched it drive around Vegas all day and night,and enjoy another day in Vegas! But, I couldn't do anything about it. Infuriating actually! But oh well, I guess those are just memories that I will have to hold onto. And to think, I ALMOST survived Vegas, with a baby, and without shenanigans!
So Close!

Oh yeah, and I spilt coffee all over my arm on day 2 in Vegas! This is the aftermath. This baby blistered, leaked white stuff, and peeled.
So Unattractive and So Not Cool. 

52:49 Your Brave and Busy Body

I Want to Remember

Your Brave and Busy Body

I want to remember your brave and busy body! You aren't even walking yet, but you are all over the place! Crawling up stairs, climbing on top of anything and everything, rocking things, and opening and closing doors. There is never a quiet or dull moment. You are fearless in the way that you love to be up high and fall down fast. You purposely roll off the edge of bed, just so you can do an upside down somersault. Luckily for you, we have always caught you, but you make your momma's heart flutter every time you do it! I guess that is what happens when you have a mom that likes to be flown in the air and a daddy that likes to fall out of planes! I think we are going to have a future full of bumps, bruises and owies! 

Be Prepared to hold your Breath! 

Exploring things up High!

Dancing on her play table!

Upside Down Fun!

 Crawling on Boxes

 Right before she crawled right off the box!

 Flying in the Sky

Climbing up the Stairs

52:48 Summer Days

I Want to Remember
Summer Days 

Our Winning White Ducky!

We went to the duck races this weekend in St. Peter. It was this cute little event set up to raise money for the Children's Museum in St. Peter. It was a perfect day and we went with some of our friends! We enjoyed some pizza, sunshine and water! We didn't win the grand prize, but our duck was actually the 8th duck in - out of hundreds! Talk about a lucky charm! We won a free family day pass to a great watermark! We can't wait for the weather to stay warm enough out that we can actually use this pass! 
Cheers to it ALMOST being summer! 

Getting ready for the Duck Races

Watching the ducks take off!

Playing with Ava!

Fun with neighbor Laura (baby due any day now!) and Ava! 

You are 11 Months Old!

52:47 Your Love Bear

I Want to Remember

Your Love Bear

I want to remember your love bear. This is the first animal/toy that you have actually attached yourself to. And you actually say bear quite well. It is always this high-pitched "Brr!" sound, but it is too cute! You give it hugs, kisses, pat it and snuggle with it before you go ni-night! We love watching how sweet you are with your bear. I am sure you will attach yourself to many more things throughout the months, even years. But this one is special because it was your first lovey and your first snuggle buddy.

Shopping with Bear!

 Shaking your Bear

Peek-a-Boo with Bear!

Playing Games with Bear

Fun With Foods

I know I've already posted about foods, but this was too fun! 

Doing her sign language!