Happy Birthday Mimi!

Just a few "pre-Christmas" pics for you to enjoy!

Graham loves to play with Mommy's jewelry.
"Don't tell Daddy!"

Playing Hide and Go Seek with the elf from The Elf on the Shelf. Thanks Aunt Laura & Uncle Luke!

"Riding" around the house in his newly painted reindeer shirt. Gotta use my kindergarten teacher skills somehow this season! Can't resist a little hand/foot craft!

Celebrating with Mimi on her Christmas Eve Eve birthday.

Christmas photos to come... =)

Happy Birthday Sweet Graham!

Last weekend was SO MUCH FUN! I was looking forward to Graham's birthday and it really was awesome. First, we were able to celebrate that we made it one whole year as parents and that our child is not only alive, but thriving! It was such a trip down memory lane for me as I kept remembering the labor process on Dec. 11 2008. I think Dec 11 2009 was much easier! Graham's birthday fell on a Friday (adam's day off) so we opened presents in the morning and then headed to the mall for some fun in the afternoon! Graham made his first build-a-bear, a horse named "Colt". He was frightened of the stuffing machine but fell in love with the little stroller to push his horse around in, so he was "surprised" after his nap with a blue stroller for pushing his animals around. Daddy says no dolls thnough. That night we went to Red Robin and celebrated in a kid-friendly, noisy restaurant and Graham was in heaven because he got a balloon.

Let the birthday fun begin!


He peed himself BIG TIME in wal-mart, so on a FREEZING cold day Graham got to ride home in the nude, with socks of course. Hey- a birthday suit for the birthday boy!



Red Robin Dinner!

Graham and I love our newest "family" member, Jennifer. Such a good friend!!!!!

Decorating sugar cookies into the wee hours of the morning for party favors.

On Saturday at noon, we had a balloon birthday party for Graham. He LOVES balloons and it was such a fun theme! The guests all brought Graham a balloon to keep. He was in heaven. =)

Part of the Birthday party crew! chili and sandwiches for lunch!

G-pa and Daddy.

Playing with Pop and my balloons at my balloon party!

My Sweet one year old baby in his birthay shirt.

Graham really liked opening his presents! He was a pro by the end!

A basketball goal!!

Mommy helped with the tricky pieces.

After presents it was cake time! Mommy helped blow out my candles. The only thing I know how to blow is my bangs!

Here we go...

He liked his cake, but wasn't sure about the crowd gathered around all holding cameras! ha!

Balloon Cake from Donut Bank. Y.u.m.m.y.

Graham loves his Daddy!

An after-party birthday snuggle with Mommy, althought I wanted down to play!

We had a super, special weekend and I feel so incredibly blessed to be Graham's Mommy. It is a title I wear proudly!

I love you Sugie.

Let the month of "fun" begin! =)

On Friday, we headed to Columbus, OH to visit with Adam's sister Laura and our brother in law Luke. We had a great time with them! We did so many fun activities that I'm afraid Graham might be quite bored these next few days as we adjust back to normal life here at home. (although the big birthday weekend is coming up, so more excitement is around the corner!) On Friday we headed to Wild Lights at the Columbus Zoo. It was AWESOME! We can't wait to go back someday and visit the rest of the zoo. We went at night and it was FREEZING. Here are a few pics of our little marshmallow man. He looked like the kid on "The Christmas Story" who can't get up when he falls in the snow!

On Saturday, Graham got a YUMMY taste of a banana-choc chip birthday muffin made by Aunt Laura. He was a huge fan, even though he made a funny face when he bit into a chocolate chip. He also got his first blazer. He looks so stinkin cute in it. =)

Can he get his mouth any wider?!?

Saturday night we headed to a NHL Bluejackets Hockey Game. Luke works for the Blue Jackets and was able to get us tickets. Our friends Nick and Blaire joined us! So much fun! Graham enjoyed screaming along with the fans. He also liked dancing with all the rock music. He's really into dancing right now. =)

Ready for church! Sweater vest day...did you get the memo?

We came home to Evansville and got a wonderful visit from Allison, Tim and their baby Logan. Logan is 2 days older than Graham. So much fun that they were finally able to meet one another!

Ahhh- a great weekend!!! I wish all of these friends and family members could all live in town with us!

What is Graham thankful for? And me too. =)

His food!!!!


GET that BEAN!


Mom, why the photo shoot? It's just beans!



Chewing his bite before spitting a little leftovers out to add to his stockpile. Check out his bib!

Careful examination of every bite!

He's PLEASED with himself and the mess he is making with the crumbly breakfast bar.

More careful examination...

Just some cute food photos before I gush this Thanksgiving. =)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! (Man, all I did was type that in and I got all teary). I'm about to head over to my parents house for thanksgiving lunch and we always go around the table and share what we are thankful for. In our family, usually there isn't a dry eye after everyone shares how God has been good to them this year! MY HEART OVERFLOWS with thankfulness to God for the amazing gift that he gave us in Graham. I think back to 1 year ago and how very PREGNANT I was...38 weeks. It truly was one of my favorite years ever. My dream came true of being a stay at home Mommy, Adam finished his residency in NC, we got to live close to my sister Anna and Andy for a year, we bought our first home in Evansville, and I could go on and on. That's just the big stuff. Let's just say I'm so grateful to God for his blessings and I don't take it lightly. My cup overfloweth...

Psalm 40 "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."

For anyone who has every struggled with getting pregnant or waiting on the Lord for anything really...I hope this encourages you in your journey! God has given us Graham and so much more. Be encouraged!!!!

His food!!!

Zoo Time!

The new Amazonia section of the zoo. Graham loved the monkeys!


Uh...Mom...there is a HUGE Kittygirl behind us!!!



Graham wasn't sure what to make of the huge giraffe. We had to get a picture in honor of his giraffe shirt. =)

Graham was quite leary of the Mackaw.

SCARED of that bird!!!

He is a little scary looking...

It was a PERFECT zoo day and we ran into several friends. =)

The otter tunnel.

Pretty cool...

Grrrrrr!