Happy Birthday, Carter!

What a wonderful day! Today, Carter is one!

We started the day to melodic coo'ing and gentle "talking." After breakfast, Carter got - more like found - her first gift. The yellow and red Flintstone-powered car. She loved it! She figured out how to get in, and could kinda move herself around. She'd get in, get out, get in, etc. She played with the doors, the gas cap, and everything on the dash board. And, together, we used it to chase the cat!

While we prepared for the party, Carter spent the morning with her Godfather. Around 11:15am, Corey and Amber arrived, followed by Brian, Anna, and Courtney, then the birthday girl. Shortly after, our home was filled with wonderful friends and family, and a ton of babies! They were everywhere! And each one of them was interested in the other!

We had lunch (baked beans = delicious! potato salad = wretched!) and then birthday cake. I'd been given advice on the birthday cake situation: strip the baby down, buy an inexpensive outfit for him or her to wear. I just figured whatever it was, it'd wash out, and it's cake, how messy could it really be?!? Come on! Holy cow, was I incredibly wrong! Carter had cake all over her face, in her nose and ears, surrounding her eyes, on the carpet, behind her on the chair, on my jeans, and even on Isaac! That cake went everywhere! But it was the cutest thing I've ever seen!

After cake, a very tired Carter opened her gifts. It is unbelieveable what a wonderful group of family and friends we have! This little girl got more than she could ever want! From clothes to stuffed bears; from a fishing set to a learning table, and - always a favorite - some awesome books! Isaac and Emma helped open, while Grant and Collin kept an eye on the situation, and Courtney worked the crowd!

After presents, Carter could stand no more, and took a nap. We hugged friends, family and babies goodbye, and thanked everyone for a special, wonderful 1st birthday!

The gifts were really cool, but more importantly, we are so lucky to have all of these wonderful people in our lives. Making days like today so special, and giving our family the best gift of all: unconditional love.

Carter and her new ride: Go Speedracer, Go Speedracer!

Uncle Corey helps Carter open her gift (we love the learning table!)

Courtney, Carter and Isaac play with the cool balloons. All was good until Carter accidently popped one and scared herself!

Me and The Man, Grant! Half of the Gruesome Twosome!

Carter and Emma pick out the next gift to open .. what'll it be, girls?
_

Carter prepares to open Shawn & Kelly's gift while sitting on Carrie's gift. Is it a chair?!

The cake.

It all started off okay ...

... but by the end, Carter was wearing most of it. Isaac was also wearing a little, as was my chair, my jeans, my carpet ...

Isaac and Carter, with Daddy's help, open Kevin and Katie's gift.

Mama Alexander, the jungle gym, with Courtney and Isaac. I guess Isaac took quite a liking to little Courtney!

Me, Emma and Carter. Like their Mommies, Emma and Carter share a moment!
Goodness these two are cute!

The Ring Leader poses in her new princess chair (what else would a princess sit in) with her fellow trouble makers, Grant (left) and Collin (right, I think!).