Abby - day 4

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Celebrating Cassie

For several reasons, Cassie's first birthday celebration had to be postponed from her actual birthday.  But this past Sunday, we were finally able to give the little lady the party she deserved.  Grandpa and Grandma Campbell, Aunt Cynthia and ALL FOUR KIDS, Ingrid, Eric, Andrew and their Grandma, and Christi and the Picker-INGs joined in the fun.  (I did not take a single group shot and I am a little disappointed in myself for that.  But what am I gonna do about it now??)  As is customary, the birthday girl's favorite food was served: scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit, hashbrown casserole, and bacon (for the rest of us).  I'm not generally a breakfast for dinner kind of girl, but I can make exceptions for cute baby girls.

 The original party plans included a pumpkin patch theme.  I got rid of all the actual pumpkin activities but kept the decorations.

 The birthday girl's own cake:

After eating, we moved downstairs for presents.  Big brother Benjamin made himself the official card reader.

As with most one-year-olds, Cassie was not a fan of sitting still to open presents.

She did calm down a bit when we let her hold some of the paper.  (Can you guess who was told she couldn't help with the gift opening??)

She was pretty excited about this kitty book.  Hundreds of kitty pictures. She just might go hoarse while reading it!!

She's never had shoes before so this seemed like a logical choice for what she should do with them.  Her friend Jayme is sure they tasted like chicken but she wasn't willing to try them for herself.

After gifts, we moved back upstairs for cake.  Grandma Page bought her a special bib just for the occasion.  We stripped her down and let the fun begin.

She was a little hesitant at first...

but eventually, she gave it a try...

and then a bigger try...

and determined it was GOOOOOOD!!!

Grandpa and Grandma Randolph were unable to make the trip for the party

 but, thanks to Skype, they joined us virtually.  (Cassie loves talking to Grandma on the phone!)

 I DID manage to get one picture of Cassie and a guest - cousin McKenzie home from the Army on leave.

The aftermath.  She kept herself pretty clean, hunh?

Abby and Benjamin made some birthday decorations

and so did mom.

 A collage of Cassie pictures from year one.  (Benjamin asked if he could keep it in his room after the party. I told him it was Cassie's so now he wants to make another just for him.  So sweet.)

  We can hardly believe our baby is ONE!  At the beginning, we weren't sure we would survive the first few months, or seven, but eventually we all got it worked out.  Cassie is such a joy and she brings many smiles to our family.  So glad God picked us to be her family!!

 Happy birthday, sweet girl!!

First Birthday

October 12.  The littlest Campbell is now a positive digit.  Her siblings have been counting down to this day for months.  And let's be honest, her parents might pretend they weren't ready, but they've been anticipating the big day also.  As is customary in our house, the birthday girl was met first thing with candles and singing.  (Maybe next year she'll be introduced to breakfast in bed...)

Big brother Benjamin had a soccer game, so our day started there.  It was a little windy and made our hair do funny things.

 Next up, an afternoon at the KC Pumpkin Patch.  It was a beautiful afternoon and we had a fabulous time.

 Even though we agreed we would not be buying any pumpkins there, you can't very well go to a pumpkin patch and not visit the actual pumpkin patch.  So, we loaded the hay wagon (with no hay).

 We also tried our hand at the corn maze.  Thank goodness daddy was with us!  Somehow he actually could remember which paths we'd already tried AND where we had not yet been.  He got us through in no time.  I'm pretty sure without him, we'd still have been there.

 Cutest scarecrows in the corn field.

 And what trip to a pumpkin patch is complete without donuts?  These were just the right size for the birthday girl.

 Another mini train ride took us down the Yellow Brick Road.

 Baby enjoyed watching the big kids jump on the giant pillow

 and snuggling with her daddy.

 We left the pumpkins are headed to dinner.  After all the activity, we needed to relax a bit.  She's a good rocker but with the music piped out to the patio she had her groove on and was a little disappointed that the chair didn't also go from side to side.

 The perfect gift for the birthday girl?  Her very own kitty.  

 She loved it.  Very much.

 And for dinner?  Hashbrown casserole, pancakes, and corn.  Mmmm!  She didn't even try once to throw her big girl plate on the floor.  She was too busy eating.  This girl loves her food.

 All that excitement was just too much and we lost her on the way home.

But hopefully she had a good day.  I know the rest of us enjoyed celebrating her!  Happy birthday, baby!

First Day - 2013

Summer has come and gone.  School is officially in session.  We started the summer with great intentions and a long list of things we would do.  To be quite honest, I am not even sure where the list is - it got lost in the move.  I'm pretty sure that we did not come anywhere close to crossing most of the items off our list.  But, I can say that is all in the past now.  Time to concentrate on the task at hand - school.  And the best part about the first day?  Everyone is excited about it.  New clothes...  New shoes...  New teacher...  New friends...  Some kids were so excited they even slept in their clothes so they would be ready to go even faster!

 As has been the case for the last couple years, our first day was met with rain.  It was really coming down this morning when it was time to leave.  Our pictures suffered because of it.  First-first day picture at the new house.  Gotta love that!

 My little Mary Poppins boys.  Noah tried to grumble about the sign picture.  I did threaten to make him take a picture every single morning so we could see how he grew throughout the year.  He agreed to a first day shot.

 First room - First grade.  Benjamin was super excited to have Mrs. Andra - the same teacher as Noah AND his daddy.  We have high hopes for this school year and we have confidence in the fact that she is just the teacher to get him on the right path.

 Next up?  Third grade.  It's so big, you have to go upstairs!  And he was not about to wait on us to get up there.

 He did humor me for one picture.

 I was pressing my luck asking for a second one.  I made him kiss me, too.  Right on the lips.  Poor Noah.

The kids got to pick their own seats at back-to-school night.  I am really curious to see how long they actually get to sit with their friends.

All reports from the first day were positive.  They both enjoyed getting to meet their teachers and learn a little more about what would be expected of them this year.  They also both assured me that they did not get in trouble today.  Oh, let's hope they keep that up!  We are all excited to see what this year brings.