Gray's First Birthday!!!

I have seriously been neglecting my blog. I've not only been lazy and busy, but out of order! My computer has been in the hospital for a very bad bug!!! I have several posts to come, but for today I wanted to post some pictures from Gray's birthday party a few weeks ago. The whole family came over to eat supper and to watch him gobble up his first cake. Before...After.... The other eleven grandchildren(from both sides) enjoyed eating and playing in the back yard. Gray enjoyed all the attention and opening his presents!!

Letting the balloons go!!

Thank you to Uncle Gary for taking all of the pictures...I never have any made with my children because I'm always the one taking them!!

First Day of School

Charlie started his first year of public school on Friday. It will be a very different environment than HBC, but he has been very excited, especially about riding the bus home! He was in such a hurry to get out the door, he didn't want his picture made. This was the best I could get...

He was much happier once he got there...
...speaking of a new environment....when he got home that afternoon, I asked him if he got hot on the playground...he said, "yeah! freakin' hot!" Public school here we come!

Chicago Trip

A few weeks ago, Stephen and I went to Chicago for a much needed weekend getaway. We enjoyed a lot of good food, good shopping and perfect weather! We saw as much of the city as we could in two full days. We also enjoyed being able to finish a meal and a sentence without being interrupted! After three nights away, we were refreshed and ready to see the kiddos. I'm thankful for grandparents and babysitters who made this trip possible. Here are a few pics...All dressed up for a night out. This was the view from the lounge at the top of our hotel.

The Cubs played in town, but we didn't have time to catch the game...too much to see!
The "bean" at millenium park.

A picture under "the bean"

We took one of the double-decker bus tours and saw many, many sites. I didn't have my camera for the top of the John Hancock building, but it was probably my favorite. You could see about 80 miles around from up there. The famous water tower was one of the only buildings left after the great Chicago fire of 1871. No visit to Chicago is complete without seeing Oprah's studio. We also saw her two-story penthouse on Lakeshore drive. Didn't get a good pic!

Happy 1st Birthday Gray!!

One year ago today we welcomed a very special baby boy into our family. Happy Birthday Gray! We love you!

You've come a long way! You are saying new words every day, but still think it's much faster to crawl than walk...and we are still waiting on some teeth! Everyone is looking forward to your birthday party on Saturday...more pictures to come!

Dust Go to Sleep

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait 'til tomorrow, for babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep, I'm rockin' my baby, 'cause babies don't keep!

(Author unknown)

Sweet Gray...I can't believe you will be a year old one week from today...where has my baby gone!