colin's birthday party

We had lots of fun at Colin's party this weekend with friends and family. We wanted to have a fall-themed party, and we were lucky that the weather cooperated enough to let people sit outside, play washers, and socialize. We cooked up two big pots of chili (vegetarian and non-vegetarian) and had cornbread, apples and caramel dip, cider, fall beer, and lots of other yummy party foods. Oh - and CAKE and a cupcake for the birthday boy.

Colin wasn't too sure about the cupcake, but once he got into it, he enjoyed himself thoroughly!


Colin was SUCH a good boy the whole time! He got a little sleepy after the cake and I was prepared for a meltdown, but then he rallied and had tons of energy for ripping through presents and playing with his new toys!



So, at some point in the party, I messed up my camera settings so a lot of them are really blurry :( I didn't get many good cake pictures, and I also intended to get a picture of Colin with all of his guests, but clearly that didn't happen (I didn't even get pictures of all the grandparents.. sorry). So hopefully one of the grandparents can hook me up with some better pictures. We also have a ridiculous amount of videos that I may share at some point. But for now: http://tinyurl.com/colinsbirthdayparty. Enjoy!

happy birthday dear Colin!!!

I can't believe I'm writing this, but happy first birthday to our sweet, smart, funny and handsome little man! I am trying not to be too teary today, but it's hard. And it's hard to believe that a year ago today, we met our little guy and everything changed.


throwback colin! Oct. 26, 2009


I look like the stay-puft marshmallow man!



much better - leaving for school and work October 26, 2010!



the birthday boy!!!

I never realized before how birthdays are a big deal for the parents too. Mike and I high-fived this morning that two idiots like us kept a baby alive for a year! Seriously though, I can't believe that a year ago, we didn't know what he looked like or who he'd be. He has changed our lives forever and I can't believe how fast this past year has gone. He makes us laugh every single day and brings so much joy to our lives. I can't wait to see what Colin has in store for us over the next year!

TWO TEETH!

Better late than never! Colin has not one, but two teeth coming in! They're making him super crabby ... Let me tell you how thrilled he was with taking this picture! But, as you can see, two little teeth are on their way in.


And these have nothing to do with teeth, but here are some cute ball pit pics :)

my little pumpkin pie

I'm so glad Colin was born in October. It has always been my absolute favorite time of year, and now we have even more fall fun with him. Today my little pumpkin pie and I were having some fun outside with the pumpkin and mums on our porch. Just an absolutely perfect fall day.

some more pictures of our fun are here: www.tinyurl.com/colinfall10.

my boys

Colin's new favorite game is chasing people, and being chased. If you say, "ready... set..." he freaks out and takes off, looking over his shoulder to see if you're coming behind him. I tried to get this on tape, but given that it was round 50 of the afternoon, he was kind of worn out on the game, but the video is still full of sweet baby laughs.

another flashback*

This week last year...


Fast forward one year...

This week has been way more fun :)

*Just to warn you, the next two weeks are probably going to be full of me reminiscing and getting teary and trying to figure out where the last year went. Fair warning.

lunch date

Remember these two?


Fastforward nine months or so...


Ellie and Colin had a little playdate on Saturday while Ellie's parents were running a race. Here are the kiddos having lunch. I wish I had gotten a video of Colin leaning over and pounding on Ellie's tray, and then her pounding back in response. It was... weird? Maybe they were communicating in morse code and plotting their escape.

It never fails to amaze me, watching Colin and his lady friends. Ellie, ever the lady, would only sit outside the ball pit and gently pick up one ball at a time and set it down. Colin, meanwhile, was bodysurfing and overhand pitching the balls out of the pool. Colin is also kind of a bully with his toys.. every time Ellie would get interested in something, he'd try to wrangle it away from her. Oh well. He has years to practice how to be nice to girls.