Evie's First Birthday Party

Poor Evie's first year of life has been a roller coaster, with us first thinking we were moving to Dallas, our home for sale, her Daddy working out of town during the week, and then finally selling our house and moving to Denver.  I was worried about not being able to have her a party because the move fell the weekend of her birthday.  I hated that we couldn't have a party in her first home with her friends, but it worked out that we could have one at her Pops' house the day before the drive to Colorado.
This party literally came together in less than two weeks, while everything we owned was in a moving van, but I think it turned out nice.  It also was a little goodbye party too, since this would be the last time to see our families for awhile.  Pops grilled hamburgers and we had cake and presents and that was it.  It was short, simple, and sweet!  Evie is one loved little girl!

yay it's my party!

her pictures from each month

Lorraine made these cute cakes

the princess' throne.  Thanks Erinn for the skirt!

Aunt Kim made this adorable wreath.  I can't wait to use it every year!

This banner was adorable that Lindsey made too.  I wish the picture showed it better.

Brayden loves Evie

We were so glad that Merm could make the trip with Mimi and Papa

my sweet family

Lez and Sophia

Evie is scared of Uncle Brian since he tried to make her feed herself!  :)

yay!

still fun!

not too sure about us singing...

"what is this?!  You want me to get my fingers dirty?!"

My favorite picture ever.  My little pork chop who will eat anything, will not eat her cake.  She stopped crying as soon as we took cake away from her!

Aunt CC and Aunt B were a big help getting the party ready.

So glad Pop's let us use his house

my family

Matthew's family

kisses!

Party's will wear a girl out!

Brianne and Mason always have the best time together.  Here they are finding grasshoppers.

Mimi and Mason

kisses for baby

Their favorite little guy.

Evie at 12 months

Yikes!  A whole year has gone by with my baby girl.  We are searching for a new pediatrician, so I will update your stats once we get you in.

Weight: 22 pounds 13 ounces (75%)
Height:  31 inches (97%)
Size 4 Diapers
Size 18 month clothes

• NO more bottles!  I cut you off cold turkey and you never missed a beat.  The first morning you woke up and cried a little because you were hungry, but I gave you a full cup of milk and some breakfast and you were fine.  It took you a couple of days to get used to cold milk, but now you drink it like a champ.  This is new to me since your brother has never drank a sip of milk!
• You love to eat.  You have yet to turn anything down.  You must be like your daddy in this department!  You are starting to want to feed yourself and not be spoon fed, so I need to find more finger foods for you.  Whenever you eat, you will always chew and say "mmmm".  It is so cute!
• You have been sleeping so much since the move.  I guess all the travel and change has worn you out.  You've been sleeping 13 hours at night, and depending on what time you wake in the mornings either one or two naps a day anywhere from 2-4 hours each.
• You have 4 teeth.  Two on top and two on bottom.  Your other two on top are starting to break through.
• You wave, blow kisses, give open mouth kisses (my favorite), sign more, clap, and have lots to say.  You will even dance a little when you hear music.  You love to say "hi" whenever we get you out of your crib.
• You are a crawling master and get into everything.  You also put everything in your mouth.  I have found coins, bugs, paper, a bottle cap, and so much more in your little mouth.  You will pull up and furniture cruise a little, but not standing independently yet.  You are starting to be a climber too.
• You love baby dolls.  We catch you kissing them, rocking them in your new cradle, and feeding them a bottle.  We also walked in on your brushing your hair with my brush the other day.  It is so fun have a little girly girl!
• You have been swimming a few times and love the water.  You will just stick your face down in the water and come up laughing.
• You are a sensitive little girl.  If you sense someone around you is unhappy, you will start to cry. You are terrified of the vacuum!  You scream and your whole body shakes whenever it is on.

Evie, you have brought so much joy into our lives this past year.  It has been a hard year on us as a family, but you (and your brother) have been the light that has gotten us through it.  I love your girly personality, your big eyes, chubby cheeks and thighs, your infectious laugh and everything about you.  You are a momma's girl and I hope that I am always your favorite person.  

Saying Goodbye to LA

I've been trying to write this post for a week now, and can't do it without tearing up.  I can't seem to put into words what living in Shreveport has meant to us these past 4 years.  When I found out about our move there I was about 10 weeks pregnant and thought I would hate it.  I remember thinking I couldn't wait for our time there to be finished so we could move back to Ft. Worth.  While at times it was hard not being close to our families, Matthew and I grew stronger as a couple and created the best memories.    The first year was tough because I wasn't working and didn't have Mason yet, so I had no way to really get to know anyone.  Once Mason was born, I was able to get out and meet other people.  I remember meeting Lindsey and Bennett in Level 1 at Gymboree and she invited me to her family's crawfish boil that Saturday.  Matthew is normally the one who is meeting people and being invited to things, so this was all new to us.  As we were walking up to the Yacht Club, Matthew was asking me if I was sure that I was invited.  ha!  I remember Georgia was just a little thing barely walking around and Lindsey spilling beer on my stroller.  From that point on, we continued to meet people and get more involved.  Our Sunday School class started shortly after too.
There is something special about finding a group of friends that have kids the same age, both the wives AND husbands get along, that have the same beliefs and values, that enjoy doing the same types of things, and that just genuinely love being around each other.  I know that our friends can't be replaced, but I hope and pray that we can find something close here in Denver.
We had a great going away party in May, so on our last night I wanted to do something with our closest friends.  The Lewis', Buteau's, Raines', Smith's, and Dicharry's all came to say goodbye at Frozen Frog.  The tears started flowing as soon as I pulled up and saw Erinn crying.  All of us momma's were in tears before the night was up.  Most of the kids didn't know what was going on, but poor Georgia had a rough night crying that her friend Mason was moving. I'm glad I got to capture some last pictures of these great kids.  I love all of these kids so much and have loved watching the older ones grow up together, and getting to be pregnant with some too.  It's been fun watching all of our families grow.

Brown and Briggs (or Briggs and Brown)

Georgia and Mason

Maddie, Mason, Georgia, and Bennett

Caroline, Georgia, and Mason (Shep didn't want to be in any pictures)

Playing ring around the rosie.  This is the only pic of Drew because he didn't want to be in any either.

sweet, sweet babies who are all one this summer.  Henry, Evie, and Jake. 

best buds

I'm trying not to be sad anymore, but it is definitely hard!  I hope we have plenty of visitors here in Denver.  Here is to our next adventure...

Charleston Day 4

Saturday was our more relaxing day.  We slept in and then headed to Sullivan's island for lunch at Poe's and then laid out on the beach.  We were very unprepared and didn't even have towels.  Oh well, we all got some sun and enjoyed the ocean and weather.

After cleaning up we went for our last dinner to McCrady's.  This is a restaurant the George Washington ate at hundreds of years ago.  This was a fancy place with exotic food.  Not my favorite, but I'm glad we all tried something different.  After dinner, we headed back to our rooftop bar for a few more drinks and then back to Kiminsky's for more dessert.  We called it an early night because we had to leave for the airport at 4:15 the next morning.

All I can really say we did was eat, eat, and eat!  It was some of the best food I have ever had and I could go back and try even more restaurants.  We counted and between the tours and lunches/dinners we went 17 different places to eat and drink in three and a half days!

I'm thankful we got to take this trip and it wouldn't have been possible without our parents who graciously offered to keep the kids.  I know they didn't miss us, but I was so ready to see them on Sunday!  We hope to continue our yearly trips- next year- San Francisco!

The weather couldn't have been better.  We loved how every restaurant had outdoor dining and took advantage of it.

A burger topped with a fried green tomato (I had no idea I even liked those!) and pimento cheese.  so good!

our last night at McCrady's

Yes, Matthew really ate octopus.  It makes me sick just looking at it!

Love, love these friends!  I couldn't have asked for better company all week!