Cole's 1 year photo shoot

Saturday morning we loaded up the family and headed to a photo appointment for Cole's 1st year pictures. Neither Cole nor Eli was really interested in taking pictures and made our photographer work REALLY hard to get decent shots. I thought the day was going to be a bust but the pictures turned out ok.

This pretty much sums up the entire shoot. Cole was not a happy camper.

Radio Flyer boys

Eli & Cole have been having a blast with Cole's new Radio Flyer walker. Eli pushes a dump truck around and Cole chases him best he can. They have also enjoyed pushing each other around. Believe it or not, Cole can push Eli!

so cute - watching the Tour de France, calm before the storm

Cole LOVED being pushed fast, notice the funny look on Eli's face

best shot I got of Cole pushing Eli

My other sewing project

Not only did I sew a birthday banner for Cole, I have secretly been working on a smock apron as a birthday gift for my sweet friend Kara. I absolutely love the material and hope to make some pajama pants out of it for myself. I'm a total amateur when it comes to sewing but I'm proud of how it turned out! She loved the apron and was totally surprised. (Remember I LOVE birthdays!)

front

criss cross back

Happy 1st Birthday Cole!!

I can not believe this day is here. Seems like just yesterday Baby Cole was born but it also seems like he's been in our family forever. Funny how time can do that - be long and short all at the same time! Some of you know how I am about birthdays - I LOVE BIRTHDAYS!! And I want my boys to grow up feeling super special on their birthday. Even though Baby Cole is only 1 today, I tried to work my birthday magic. =)

Last night my brother Billy and his girlfriend Niki came up to visit. We were so glad to have them here. Eli and Cole loved the attention and company. Tim & I also put them to work after the boys went to bed, getting ready for Cole's day. Niki & I went to the grocery store and finished up the birthday banner that I made for Cole. Tim & Billy put together Cole's new Radio Flyer walker.

Sunday morning, Cole woke up in a pretty good mood but I'll tell ya, he made us work ALL day for any smiles or laughs we got. I think he's in the middle of teething, wanting to walk and growing so he's a pretty moody character these days. For breakfast, Cole enjoyed a chocolate chip pop tart with whipped cream on his new birthday plate. He also had a blast walking around the house pushing his new walker. (It is going to be VERY hard to keep it away from Eli.) When Billy & Niki came down, Cole got to open another present. He loved ripping paper. Amy, Henry, Samantha and Oma came over from next door to see Birthday Boy Cole and give him another gift. He was a little cranky so after lunch, we packed everyone up and headed to the pool. Right or wrong, my answer for cranky children is to go outside. The kids had fun at the pool and were ready for a nap when we got home. After telling Uncle Billy and Miss Niki bye, the kids took pretty good naps. We had dinner after they got up and then walked next door for Amy's 4th of July bash. Cole was not too happy so I took him on a walk and Eli was fine until I got out of sight. Then he got upset so Tim put him on his shoulders and ran around the block to find me. So cute! With our boys falling apart, we came home, quickly did cupcakes and then got everyone in their pjs. After the excitement of the weekend, we opted for some still time and a movie upstairs - 'Toy Story 2'. Eli loves when we do movie night together....and so do I!

Pictures from our day of celebrating Baby Cole - guess I should call him Toddler Cole now!!!

Saturday night watching Monster Jam with Uncle Billy

Uncle Billy & Baby Cole

night before officially being a one year old

Cole's homemade birthday banner (made out of felt so I hope to use it every year).

his birthday plate

When the boys got up, Eli wanted to climb in bed with Daddy.

all my cute boys

Cole LOVED his wagon walker.

Look ma, one hand!

Cole has already starting rolling around on the floor when he doesn't get what he wants.

Cole was so happy pushing....until he couldn't figure out how to turn around.

Birthday Pop tart time!

He really did like it.

my little Yankee Doodle Dandy

opening his present from Eli

Are you surprised that it's a Monster truck?

Cole loved it - the Madusa truck, red / white and blue!

Eli testing one of my chocolate dipped star cookies.

Uncle Billy helped Cole open his present.

Cole actually loved all the cards more.

Uncle Billy teaching Eli to use the shooter at the pool....

and then using it on him!

me and Birthday Boy.

A family pool picture - I think it's our first one.

Eli had a blast "jumping" from Uncle Billy to me

and then back to Uncle Billy.

My not-so-little brother and my not-so-little boy. =)

Uncle Billy and Miss Niki

Cole had fun pushing Eli in the wagon

All patriotic - I love my boys!

Eli thought he was one of the big kids.

I love this picture. I took it after putting Cole in the stroller for our walk.

Eli on the search for his Mommy. So pitiful.

Cupcake time

Cole wasn't too sure and he wasn't overly interested.

He WAS interested in his milk though!

Party like a 3 year old

This afternoon, we got to celebrate our friend Noah's 3rd birthday. It's so much fun to watch 3 year olds play. The kids had fun playing in the pool, jumping in bounce house, playing on the swingset and bumming wagon rides from anyone who would pull them. Present time was a huge hit - all the kids were interested in Noah's loot. The parents also got to catch up during the party - it was great to see some friends we haven't seen in a while. Of course, I took lots of pictures!

be still my heart, my cute little boy

Birthday boy Noah and Eli jumping - I got LOTS of pictures of them, they were together almost the entire party. Eli loves his buddy.

Wrestlemania

Eli & Noah on the swingset

Toddler table - Eli actually moved TABLES to sit next to Stella Dot.

Cole and Daddy stole a few minutes in the bounce house before the "big kids" came back.

This cracked me up. Noah getting his Granddad wet.

The cool "big kids" - Eli, Maddie, Elizabeth, Stella Dot and Noah. I think Liam was missing from this shot.

I told you, two peas! Bumming a wagon ride from Noah's mom.

Cole hanging in the pool with Jacob, Elizabeth's brother.

This was probably the funniest thing of the entire party. The kids got rowdy in the bounce house and hit the wall opposite the blower so it disconnected the tube to the bounce house, deflating it. You can see arms and legs at the yellow piece coming down. The kids were screaming and didn't know what happened.

Jump on in, there's PLENTY of room.

Noah opening his first gift. (Watch how the "audience" changes places.)

Kylie, Noah's sister, with Granddad

The audience kept getting closer and closer.....

until Ms. Robin had to play a game to get them back in their spots.

Cole was all partied out and took a nap on Daddy.

Lightning McQueen birthday cake. Everyone, including Eli, tried to help Noah blow out his candles.

Eli had to take his shirt off simply because Noah had his off.

Yummy cake, messy hands.