Birthday Extravaganza!!!

Incredibly, our little man turned one on Wednesday, July 14th. It seems like just the other day that we were in the hospital, marveling at this tiny little infant. And now, we've got a bustling, energetic, adorable, funny, blonde bomber. How we have been blessed to be this little man's parents. God has absolutely overflowed our cups with blessings. The following is the account of Fin's birthday party. You will understand by the end of this post why I can't scrapbook - I can't choose just a few pictures!!! I LOVE pictures - I love the stories they tell. So, please excuse my overload of photos and enjoy the day we celebrated Findley James' 1st birthday.

We decided to throw a "buckaroo" western party for his 1st birthday. Fin was dressed in his little wrangler rompers and a shirt with a horse that said "Little Cowboy". He also had a hat. Here he is in his cowboy get-up before guests arrived.


"Mommy, this hat itches!"


Then Aunt Juju, Uncle Ben, Gretchen, Aunt Chelsea, Uncle Heath, and Callia arrived. The 2 girl cousins were in the western wear. Here's all 3 cousins in their cowboy hats....sooo cute!


Fin wouldn't leave his hat alone....I think he liked being "sheriff"

We had decorated the patio and back yard for our western party. Here's the set up.

Adorable cowboy hat/boot garland I found

We set up a "drink station" on haybales with bandanas

And I found western paper plates/napkins

And western serving dishes!!

And the guests - here, Julia, Poppy, and Gretchen

Nana, Chelsea, and Heath

Poppy, Gretchen, and Callia enjoying pre-dinner horseback games (courtesy of Poppy, of course)

Time to eat! My friend, Anna, joined in the festivities. Dru was busy grilling.

"Hi, Poppy!" "Hi, little buckaroo!" I LOVE this picture

The cowboys are ready to eat!

Food!

Callia and Poppy

We had baked beans, melon salad, burgers, chips, and veggies

Fin entertaining himself by poking Gretchen - she was a good sport

Me and Anna

Our family, chowin' down - notice little Fin's hand is in his mouth and he has a piece of hamburger bun on his head! :)

After dinner shot of us

Mommy, Daddy, and the BIRTHDAY BOY

Then it was cake time - Fin almost immediately reached for the cake

He seemed to know right away that it was something GOOD and YUMMY

Here's a close-up of the cake - I made it using an idea I found online at familyfun.go.com/recipes/horse-cake-685952/ - I think it turned out really cute!


Fin can't get enough

I took the cake away from him briefly to cut off a piece for him, and this is the reaction I got

Mmm...that's better, Mommy

This is SOOO good

And the obligatory appropriately covered in cake photo

Then we went inside to open gifts - first, though, Callia decided to push Poppy, Gretchen, and Fin around and around in Dru's giant captain's chair

And then we had to get a pic of Poppy with his 3 grandkiddos - nice hat, Poppy!

Fin's (well, Daddy's) opening his first gift!

It's his first tractor! - a cute lego one

I got my first card, Mommy!

Ohhh..what's this BIG gift???

It's a rocking horse!!! Thanks, Aunt Juju and Aunt Chelsea!

This is fun!

Another present?!?

It's a car that makes noise - funny!

Look at all the tissue paper, Mom

What is it???

I like presents! Are they all gone???

Reading my new book from Nana - Goodnight Gorilla. Hey, who put a bow on my head?

Ah, cool, I can push and hit buttons and stuff pops open.

The 3 cousins playing with all the new toys

Finny and Anna

Poppy's little helpers - putting together the rocking horse

Now we mean business - the boys will get this horse together tonight!

"Is it ready yet, Poppy???" "Almost, little buckaroo...be patient"

Finally - Fin's first ride on the rocking horse!

Whee - I got my arm up just like a real cowboy! Ride 'em, pardner!

Fin trying to put two cowboy hats on his head at once - notice he would rather do this than play with all the new toys scattered at his feet

One last shot with Nana and Poppy

Wow, what a great birthday! Happy birthday, our dearest little Fin. We love you!