First Birthday!!!!!

Today is our big boy's 1st birthday! I know everyone says this, but I can't even believe that it has been a whole year since his birth. Where did the time go?!? Our big boy is having quite the birthday bash! Actually, his birthday is "extended" and being celebrated for three days. Since Grandma and Grandpa King had to leave early this morning, we had a small celebration yesterday. Grandma and I decorated the dining room (Veggie Tales theme, of course) and finished preparations for his first taste of carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. We opened a present, ate lunch, opened a couple more presents, and "tasted" some carrot cake and frosting. I say "tasted" because he barely tasted his cupcake. He touched the frosting and then disgustingly looked at his hand, looked at us, and consciously worked to not look at the cupcake again. The only taste he had was from Grandpa and Mommy sneaking a piece of cake and a dab of frosting into his mouth (unsuccessful). Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy, and I had never seen anything like it before. We were all prepared to see him mash it up and wipe it all over his face, in his hair, and on his shirt. Oh well. We'll try again at his party on Saturday (third birthday celebration). Maybe he just needs to warm up to the idea. Although he did not eat or mash up his cupcake, our big boy still took his birthday bath because he managed to get a little icing in his hair (and because he loves his baths soooooo much!). That's about it for yesterday's celebration. Today, he opened a couple of cards and another present from us. Daddy and I took him to ABC Read (it was very special to have a social event on his birthday) and he took the first ride in his forward facing car seat. We are planning to celebrate more later today by going to Dairy Queen to try some ice cream. We'll see how that goes! Here are some pictures from the first two celebrations. We'll make sure to take more pictures on Saturday....check back!

Easter!!!

I realize that Easter has already come and gone, but I wanted to share some pictures with everyone. We were blessed to have Grandma and Grandpa King come to visit for Easter this year! They drove up from Missouri (leaving 60 degree weather) up to Minnesota in blizzard conditions. It snowed all day Good Friday and I think we had 4-6 inches of snow. And, yes, it flurried Easter Sunday. Although the weather outside was not what we were used to experiencing on Easter, the church looked beautiful! Here are a couple of pictures of the Easter lillies.


We celebrated Jesus' resurrection with two church services. Easter sunrise at 7:00 and Easter service at 10:00 in the morning with breakfast served by the church's youth in between services. Our family all worshipped at the early service. It was such a blessing to have family to sit with at Easter. Thanks again Grandma and Grandpa King for watching our big boy while Mommy sang! What hope God gave us in His Son at Christmas! And what hope Christ gave us through His death and resurrection! Our relationship with God is no longer broken. We have been given the undeserved gift of hope. The hope of spending eternity with our Father in heaven! He has risen! He has risen indeed! Alleluia!

Our big boy took at 20 minute nap on Grandpa at the end of the breakfast and then he was up and ready to go when we got home. So, we decided to use this time for his first egg hunt at home. Grandma and I had dyed a dozen eggs the day before and we helped Benjamin find two. He did a great job! He found the first egg, grabbed it, and sat down to crawl towards the next one. In the midst of crawling for egg number 2, the first egg cracked. This was a shocker. He stopped, momentarily looked like he would cry, and then refocused on egg number 2. He found the second egg and broke the shell of that one too! Oh well. That's the way it goes when you crawl around everywhere (but he's getting awful close to try walking without help - Don't worry, we'll let you know when it happens!). After finding the eggs, we looked in our Easter basket and watched Veggie Tales "An Easter Carol". What a joyous and blessed Easter!

We also sported our Cardinals outfit on Easter. Go Cardinals!!!!

Special Delivery!

Today we received the last two presents we ordered for our big boy's upcoming birthday. Of course, he immediately gravitated towards the box in which they were shipped. Once we emptied the box, we let him play with it. This one's bigger, so we put him inside to see his reaction. He loved it! Daddy made his smile even bigger by taking him for rides in the box. Check it out.

After he was finished going for rides with Daddy, our big boy stood up and was reaching for one of the toys he had thrown into the box. Unexpectedly, he "dove" right in (face first). As it happened, I found myself wishing that I had the camera in hand. It was priceless. Once again, our big boy gave us something to laugh about. He, of course, is fine and didn't even cry. His main concern was to continue to grab his toy. Great job mister! We love you!

Church Easter Egg Hunt

Today was the big day for the church's Easter egg hunt. We came prepared with basket in hand. While the eggs were being hidden, we all did a craft. Mommy and Daddy helped assemble the "He Is Risen!" door hanger. After the craft, we hunted for eggs. Then back inside to warm up and hear the Easter story. Lastly, we enjoyed a snack, some drink, and good fellowship.

It was a pretty good first egg hunt for our big boy, but it was a little on the chilly side. Since the weather permitted, the egg hunt was outside. I think the temperature during the hunt was in the 20's with the wind chill making it feel like the teens. Oh well. We bundled up and braved the cold yet again. The snow is melting and we are trying to look towards spring. Thanks to all who coordinated the hunt and to those who shared their eggs with us. We all had a good time. Enjoy the pictures!

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!

I have been playing with some "new" toys lately. Mommy and Daddy approve and disapprove of some of my choices. I'll let the pictures tell the story. Enjoy!

Daddy's Chair and more!

On Thursday, Mommy and I returned home from ABC Read at the local library. We decided to stop in and say "hi" to Daddy over at church. Besides, I wanted to sit in Daddy's new office chair (given to him by congregation members). Daddy's new chair is quite comfy and I think it's a perfect fit for me too! Don't I look cute all bundled up and sitting in the chair? Until Daddy's lunch break, Mommy and I decided to play in the church's fellowship hall. As always, I found Daddy's basketball and rolled it around on the floor. What fun it is to play!

Enjoy the pictures!

Enjoy the Pictures!