Addison's First Birthday Party

I wonder how long it will take before Addison grows tired of having her birthday on the Fourth of July. For me, it's great because I can reuse all the decorations every year. Although something tells me that it will be me struggling to accept the themed birthdays on the 4th. I like the red, blue and white, but she may just demand a Yo Gabba Gabba party next year. We shall see! It was great having a lot of extra hands around, since Nonnie and Haley were in town. I've noticed that I don't stress the small stuff anymore. Parties used to stress me out in my quest for perfection. These days, if the cake doesn't turn out, well then the cake didn't turn out. The kids won't remember, but they'll remember the magic of everyone they love being there to celebrate.

We had some nice pinwheels and other things hung up outside

Addison's adorable 1 cookies for her big day

The birthday girl herself

Lala and the birthday girl. Welcoming her guests

Red, White and Blue fruit platter

The smack cakes and the regular cake made by Lala. She made Gigi's old classic, yellow cake with bananas in the middle and chocolate frosting.

Sydney and Seamy at the craft table outside. They made Fourth of July picture frames.

Getting ready to blow out her candles!

She's starting to really get into the cake :)

Yum

Absolutely LOVED the cake, but then quickly wanted her hands washed.

Birthday girl and her mama

Present time. She loves the wheely bug

Holy Moly a car! Best thing about a little sister is being able to open her presents because she's too little.

iPhone Pics June

Baby taxi rides

Syd won her backstroke heat!!!

11 Months old yesterday and still no teeth!!!

Ruba-a-dub-dub

Miss thang

Best big sissy ever!!

Watching Syd spray her Dad with the power sprayer

And watch Dad soak Syd!

Summer Adventures with Haley & Nonnie

Summer time is adventure time around here and having Nonnie and Haley here just made it that much more fun. First stop was the Mt. Lemmon Observatory, which sadly they couldn't go in and see. So they spent the afternoon on top of the mountain. Nonnie and Chris chatted on a bench while Sydney and Haley hiked along the trails.

Sadly this picture of the sign was the only picture that they could take of Kartchner Caverns. No pictures allowed inside the caves. They took a small tram to the cave entrance, which was sealed with two sets of vault doors to keep all the warm, moist air inside the caves. The caverns were unknown to humankind until 1974 when to cavers found a narrow crack in the bottom of a sinkhole. They followed the source of warm, moist air toward what ended up being more than 2.5 miles of pristine cave passages. They kept the cave a secret for more than 14 years fearing it would be vandalized. The discovery of the cave was finally made public in 1988 when the landowners sold the area to the state for development as a park and show cavern. The state spent $28 million on a high-tech system of air-lock doors, misting machines and other gadgetry designed to preserve the cave

Last big adventure was a trail ride. We kept this as a surprise from Haley because we know how much she loves horses. From the smiles on everyone's faces when they got back, I think they all loved it!

Sydney's first time on a big horse all by herself!!! She did great! Good thing the horse was an oldie but a goodie. He was patient with her and gave her a smooth ride.

Best way to end the day? Sparklers of course!!

Peek-A-Boo & Helicopters

The art stand I purchased was the most expensive peek-a-boo toy I've ever purchased. :) Addison can spend endless amounts of time playing the game through the easel.

This kid, I love her so much! 

I wonder if I'll ever be able to part with this tiny little helicopter. It was given to us by my late friend, Luke, who brought it out with him on his trip to see us. He gave it to Syd and Chris so that they could have fun with it. Little did he know, they would spend hours upon hours having fun with this toy. It's on it's last legs, and only keeps a charge for a minute or two, but since Luke is gone, it still makes me smile when we bring it out. 

Up up and away!

 

Bubble Snakes

I decided to surprise Sydney with a fun little craft, Bubble Snakes! All you do is, cut off the bottom of plastic bottle. You wrap a wash cloth around it, secure with tape. Then mix up some Dawn soap and water, dip your bottle in it and blow! You can also add some food coloring to your wash cloth so that your snake comes out in colors. I was too afraid to ruin all their clothes!

Addison didn't know what to think of the bubbles!

Aaaaah!!!!

Sissies

Tucson Zoo with Amanda & Matt

Before they had to jump on their flight, we went over to the Tucson Zoo to walk around and get some fresh air. We were sad to see them leave, but had a lot of fun with them while they were here!

Sydney and her Auntie Manda

 

Baby Girl enjoying her ride

Sydney just HAD TO HAVE a crushed penny

Checking out the zebras

 

Matt and Amanda

 The elephants were horsing around in the water 

Music time

 

Feeding the fish....except the ducks eat it all 

Addie want a pickle? This girl will try anything 

Goofy kid

 

After we got back home, everyone went for a swim....even Addie. Spontaneous swimming