Pool Party

We got Owen a little kiddie pool for his birthday... and a little birthday swim suit. (he already has his own birthday suit!). At first he was a little cautious.

He splashed just a little bit...

But after a minute or two, decided this was pretty cool. Like a bath outside!

My favorite shot!

The backstroke.

Illegally standing up.

My future plumber...

And what first pool party would be complete without a video!

Birthday Party

What does six kids and sixteen adults make? A great first birthday for Owen. We are so lucky to have so many friends and family so close... that even our idea of a "small" get together turns into a wonderfully large group.

Today started with Owen's messy hair. We did have a quick chance to sit outside and have a cup of coffee.

Then preparation began. Lucas caramelized onion, fried bacon, made mayonnaise, created "burger sauce", and made coleslaw. We had yummy burgers, cooked on the new grill.

Owen kept watch for our guests.

Owen and Grammie.

Owen played so great with all the kids. Occasionally he would get a little overwhelmed, so he would just crawl off and play by himself for a few minutes, and then join again. Towards the end, he just chased Brock around... or maybe Brock chased him around. Brock could lap Owen three times.

Here, Owen is playing "camera one, camera two"

Opening presents. Owen and I had lots of help with Liberty and Brock helping open gifts.

Everyone was so generous. Owen is so lucky to have so many wonderful friends!

He did pretty good sitting on my lap and playing with all the new toys. We got a lot of new books, amazingly, not one repeat.

After presents, we went to the cake. A great round of "happy birthday"

The Cake: he didn't know what to do at first... so many people looking at him.

Then, he started feeling the cake.

Then a sample taste.

A little sharing.

Then the full cake experience began.

We had a great day. Owen is now sleeping soundly. He had one busy busy day.

Let's start with the Cake

When I told Lucas I was going to make a cake for Owen's birthday, I asked Lucas what type of cake he thought Owen would like. "Pshaw... duh, an airplane cake" was the reply.

So, for the last few weeks, I've planned. And I started the process yesterday. I always had a perfect picture of the final product in my head... but prepared myself for the "it was made with love... but looks funny" cake. (sometimes it's good to have low expectations)

Step one: bake the cake.
Step two: wait 18 hours.
Step three: start assembly and frosting
Final product: Airplane in the sky.

I liked the finished product. It was made with love AND I think it turned out cute!

More Birthday

For Owen's birthday excitement, we went to Costco. I know, big thing for a little kid. But where else could he sample porgies, GoGurt, raviolis and get the biggest gift of all: a huge vat of toilet paper!

He climbed it like the mountain man he is. Up and down. Up and down.




We had Allie, Matt, Libby, Bob and Amy over for dinner. Owen loved hearing Aunt Allie read, "I'm a big sister".... really for Liberty, but hey, he still enjoyed it.

Lucas made a wonderful "Salad and Bread" dinner. Never of course simple salad and bread at our house. Perfectly seared flank steak on the grill.
To top a salad with roasted zucchini, asparagus, portabello mushrooms, crumbled blue cheese and fried shallot. Tossed with homemade mustard vinaigrette

This was all preceded with an appetizer of Bruschetta topped with oven roasted asparagus and cherry tomatoes atop goat cheese.... yummers! I'm so lucky to be married to a chef!

Happy Birthday!

Owen is One! We started the morning singing to him... he thought we were pretty silly... but that's fine with us. After breakfast, we opened one of his presents. I suppose most will be opened tomorrow during the party, but you have to open at least ONE present on your birthday.

At first, the streamers were much funner to play with... but then he realized there was something IN the wrapping. Is that a puppy?!

Lucas really wanted to buy him, " a little stuffed animal that makes sounds." At our new favorite toy store in Hillsboro (Let's Play), he found just what he wanted. What a good idea... Owen loves his puppy that barks.

But, the streamers are pretty neat too!

After breakfast, we went to Jim and Patty's. We met Tony there. We had a good time, with some good food.

Tony has taken it upon himself to teach Owen the finer points of baked goods. This morning: home made biscuits and cherry coffee cake. While Owen liked them... he liked his peas I brought him more. (sorry Tony, he's just a baby... he needs more teaching)

Here, Owen is giving the biscuit bake to Tony... what a sharing baby.

This morning, he was dancing to Nirvana. I love the little "rump shake".

Final day to be "zero"

Owen's final day to be less than one started a little rocky. I blame myself for this. He looked so cute sleeping, that I wanted a picture... but he heard me and woke up cranky.

But, we had a good morning playing around the house. For lunch, we met my friend Tiff at a restaurant near a little lake. We sat outside, it was really nice... until the ducks started eating all the food Owen dropped. That's a little too close for comfort. Owen liked the ducks until they were swooshed away by a waiter and angrily quacked... then he started crying.

We came home, had a little nap, and then played some more...

First the remote...

Then a spoon...

Then a bike strap...

Stopped for a water break.

A little kitty time...

And then a sock...

Finally, when he figured out he hadn't played with any actual "toys", he dug through the toy box.

I can't believe it's been a year... to answer a few questions:

Yes, this year went supper fast.
No, I can't believe my baby's one years old.
Yes, it's been a lot of fun.
No, I can't remember every detail... but love looking at the past year of blogs...
Yes, I have teared up a bit remembering the past year.

Tricks of Owen's:

laughing, flirting, clapping, dancing, high fives, stairs (mostly up, occasionally down) , climbing on us like a mountain man, eating Lima beans. (still his favorite), using a spoon (a bit messy, but getting there), and of course, being the cutest baby of ours!