bennett's baptism weekend

Today we went to my parent's house to meet up with the Seymours and get ready for Bennett's baptism.  We were excited to see everyone and spend the day catching up before the big day tomorrow.  Everyone arrived in the early afternoon.  The kids spent much of the time playing.

James loved posing for the camera.

I think this one is "Disco Ninja" pose.

The kids did spent sometime helping my dad get some firewood for the wood stove.  The boys loved going outside and riding on the tractor.  But, I think that my dad may have loved it more.  He was eager to take them out and in fact that was the first thing he mentioned when we walked in through the door.  I know he cannot wait to get Bennett on that tractor.  They bonded and Ryan called him "The Lawnmower Man" for the rest of the weekend. 

Ryan even spent some of the afternoon snuggling with my dad.

The adults were busy cooking, enjoying adult beverages and adult conversation.  

We made pigs in the blanket, roasted veggies and salad for dinner.  And, for dessert we had cupcakes and four different types of cakes, courtesy of my mom.  

The Seymours were not able to make it to Bennett's birthday party so we decided to celebrate tonight. He wasn't in the mood though and had a break down right in the middle of us singing.

I think the little guy was just tired.  He didn't nap.  He had a busy day.  We were all tired and didn't last long after dinner.  We drove the Seymours to their lake house and went off to bed.  We all need a good night sleep.  We have another big and busy day tomorrow. 

bennett's one year pictures

Today we went in to get Bennett's one year pictures done with Pebbles and Polka Dots Photography.  We were excited to go since Bennett would be doing a cake smash.  Bennett did ok during the session but he was a little tired since I had to wake him from a nap to go.  We had a hard time getting him to smile.  We managed to get into a few outfits and props but rushed through his cake smash due to his quickly deteriorating mood.  I am still loving how they all turned out especially the one of the three of us.

I love him in this handmade sweater we bought in Ireland.

Bennett loved picking the blue dots off the cake.

We literally had to stick his hands into the cake to get him to eat more cake than blue icing.

bennett's first birthday

Today is a big day.  My little baby boy turns ONE.  We are celebrating by having a few of our close friends over for a brunch.  We made our favorite overnight blueberry french toast and spinach quiche. Bennett's friends Isla, Fergus, Maeve, Ali and Kaitlin were coming over to play.  We cleared out the living room to make lots of crawling/walking/playing space for Bennett and his friends.  Bennett pulled out all of his toys to share with his friends.

Bennett usually naps around one so we were thinking eleven was a great start for the party.  Today Bennett decided to change up his schedule.  He went down for a nap at 10:30 and was sleeping when our friends started arriving.

Luckily he usually only naps for at most 45 minutes in the mornings and he was up and entertaining in no time from a bin.  I think he was a little overwhelmed especially since no one was there before he went down for his nap.

After the birthday boy crawled out of his bin, we ate some brunch.  Bennett tried some spinach quiche and loved it.  I think we can make him brinner now.  

I was excited for the cake part.  But first, we sang "Happy Birthday" and blew out his candle.

Good thing we were there to help him.  He was trying to blow out his candle with his hands.  We are going to have to work on that.  Finally, the birthday boy got to have his cake.

He looked confused at first but after some encouragement from me, I put some of the frosting in his mouth, he began to grab at the cake. 

It was hard for his little hands to get a real good grip so we cut him a slice.  He put on a good show after that.  That cake was all over his face, hands and shirt.  He loved it.  

I am so glad I got him chocolate.  Vanilla would not look this adorable.  Thank you auntie Tami.   

Once the birthday boy had his fill, we cleaned him up and it was time for presents and some fun with friends.  Maeve and Bennett got busy opening a present from auntie Thuy and uncle Brian.  Their favorite was the tissues paper.

Fergus had a lot of fun playing with the baby Einstein toy.  

 Maeve loved the Sassy Wonder Wheel.
 

And, Isla tried out the Howdy cow that Bennett got from auntie Thuy and uncle Brian.

Fergus and Bennett bonded over some blocks and trucks and presents.

Fergus was so helpful.  I wondered if he has practiced opening presents daily because he was so good at ripping them open.  It was perfect because Bennett just played with the ripped up gift wrap and tissue paper most of that time.  

After such a busy afternoon everyone was ready for a nap including the adults.

Thank you for an amazing afternoon to my friends.  I appreciate you guys coming out and celebrating this important day in my sons life.  I cannot believe my little nugget is ONE.  It feels like he was just born yesterday.  

I hope you had a great birthday little man.  We love you with all of our hearts.