Phoenix Zoo!

One of the greatest things about living in Arizona is right about now when everyone is pulling out their winter clothes and wearing as many layers as they can, our weather is just right.  We've gotten through the heat, now we get to enjoy months of summer 2.0.  It's great.  

So, to take advantage of such great weather, and to celebrate Graham's birthday, we went to the Zoo!  Our library has this really cool program where you can check out a Culture Pass and get into the zoo for free. Pretty awesome, seeing as it's $18 a person to go.  Expensive.  But we had a really good time, and we think Graham liked the animals.

"Oh, hi, monkey." 

"Hmm...What's over here?"

Graham was unfazed by the monkey.  He was sitting really close, and didn't seem to notice it was alive.

Graham didn't want to get very close to these animals, though.  Gross.

The Zoo has this really cute Little People farm with giant Little People.  Super cute.

the party

 Yesterday evening we had a cookies and milk party for Graham and his little baby friends.  We put up some decorations,

and served cookies and milk to everyone.

We put the table on the floor and gave each baby a sippy cup with their name on it.

It was cute when the baby friends arrived.

Poor miss Dinah was the only girl, but she didn't seem to mind too much.

For the most part, the babies stayed at the table.  Occasionally they would all try to crawl across it, which was expected, seeing as we put the table on the floor.  : )  Wes did an especially good job, and gobbled up his cookie, as maybe everyone else's too.  Yum.

We sang to Graham and gave him his birthday cake.  He wasn't terribly interested in it, he licked the frosting here and there, but he didn't really eat any.

At the end of the party we tried to take a picture with all the party guests.  They weren't having it.  Here only two are crying, but more tears were shed shortly after.  This is the best picture we got.  Not quite what we were hoping for, but much better.  

After the party, we opened Graham's presents.  He got some great stuff.  Thank you to everyone who sent and brought gifts and cards.  We appreciate your thoughtfulness.   

We think Graham had a great birthday!

One Year

Yesterday our baby Graham turned one year old.  It's a little strange to think that he's not just a teeny baby anymore, and it definitely doesn't feel like a whole year has passed already.  The other day I was looking for some jammies for Graham at the store and I came to the realization that Graham is a little boy and not a baby.  Time flies.  We love Graham so much and are so grateful for his sweet little spirit in our home.  I am overwhelmed with gratitude to our Heavenly Father that we are blessed with such a wonderful boy.  He is such a blessing to us and we love him to pieces.  He has the best little personality, too.  Graham is always happy.  Always.  Rarely do we have a day where he is upset or just plain grouchy.  He keeps us entertained and is so loving.  It's been fun watching him grow over this last year and see what kind of a boy he is.  He loves to play.  He gets really excited when Matt gets home from school and can hardly contain his little body from all the excitement.  And he is so. dang. cute.  (I realize all parents think that about their kids, and we're no exception.  : )  )  Here are some pictures of Graham's first year.

 Graham's very first picture...moments after he was born.  This is the expression he was making the second we laid eyes on him.  So cute.

One day old.  Cutest face ever. 

1 Month.  Look how teeny he was.

2 Months.  Just starting to smile...one of his best characteristics.

3 Months.  Story time.  Now Graham's a pro at turning pages. 

4 Months.  Go Cougars! 

5 Months.  Easter basket. 

6 Months.  We couldn't find any bibs this day.  A towel worked just as well.  Better, really.  : ) 

7 Months.  Peas.  Yum. 

8 Months.  Cheeser face.  Now whenever we take his picture we get some kind of cheesy expression.

9 Months.  Graham does Disneyland.  How cute are baby Mickey ears? 

10 Months.  Our first attempts at coloring.  He still eats crayons.  We're working on that. 

11 Months.  Swinging at the park. 

 12 Months.  He's a really fast crawler.  Really fast.

Happy Birthday, Graham.  We love you to pieces and are so grateful that you are part of our family!  We can't imagine our lives without you!

Happy Birthday to our Sweet Baby, Graham

Happy Birthday, Graham!  We love you SOOOOO much!

We'll tell you all about the big day later.  : )