Happy Birthday to Everyone!! :-)

So I guess it's about time to get around to explaining the new "birthday theme" of our blog! It just so happens that during a fun-filled two week period, we all have birthdays! Jonathan's birthday is on Jan 31st, mine is Feb 5th, and Benjamin turned ONE on Feb 12th! If you count our individual families also, we add my brother Bryan and Jonathan's mom Mary (Feb 7th), my mom (Feb 15th), Jonathan's sister Liz (Feb 20th), and if we branch out to include friends the list just doesn't end! I don't know what it is about the month of May... must be something about not having to wear all those winter layers... ha ha! Okay, so moving on... ;-)

This is a little late coming, and I'm generally more of a "picture-poster" than an emotional one, but I have to say happy birthday to my wonderful husband Jonathan! I couldn't do it without your love and support! I am so proud of how hard you work, both at your job and at home. I love that I can tell how much you love our little Benjamin. I love that you're a sucker for his smiling face when he looks up at you. :-) I love that we can talk and talk and talk about everything there is, and that we often do. I love all of our memories of past projects, vacations and time spent together. I love sharing our ongoing adventures together as we continue to live and experience life. I can't believe how far we have come, both from the good experiences and the bad, and I hope that doesn't end, and that we can continue to learn and grow together. And perhaps most of all I love that you put up with my craziness and keep on loving me. You mean the world to me. I LOVE YOU!!

And here is the moment I'm sure you've been waiting for. ;-) Pictures of Benjamin's first birthday! I can not believe how fast this year has gone by. It has by far been the fastest year of my life. Benjamin, you are getting so big and learning so much! If you could slow things down in this next year, that would be good. ;-) (By the way, Benjamin's party was a "jungle animals" theme, hence the cute animal hats you'll see in random pictures! At least I think they're cute...)

Now this is one yummy birthday dinner, strawberries!

Jonathan and I made this cake together from scratch (it's a carrot cake) and then I decorated the animals. It's amazing to me that the brown monkey and the gray elephant both came from mixing different proportions of red, blue, and yellow. I mean, they must teach primary colors in what, first or second grade? But I still can't believe it!

Yum!! Cake, or in Benjamin's case, cupcake time!!

This is the best one: ;-)

Opening presents:

Despite the practice he got at Christmas, and on Jonathan's and my birthday, Benjamin still didn't seem exactly sure about his role in the "opening the presents" process. Noah however, is a pro, and was glad to show him how it's done! He he he!

I wish I'd gotten this picture from the other side, but this is Benjamin snuggling his new puppy. Benjamin is actually really snuggly with all his stuffed animals, he will "pat" them and lay his head down on them... very adorable. :-)

He he he, now this is one good present! A cousin to play with!

Do I get to keep him mom??

Lauren, Jack, and Michael (unlike Benjamin, Jack didn't seem to mind keeping his animal hat on!):

Random pictures of everyone hanging out.

Amy, Connie, Jonathan, Jim, Emily, Will, Benjamin, Mary, and Lady:

Jonathan, Connie, Benjamin and Amy by the yummy food:

Elaine, Jenny, Jona, Steve, Mike, Jonathan:

Jenny, Mary, Noah, Elaine, Connie, Lauren, Jack, McKell:

Amy, Lauren, McKell and Jack:

Here's cute Jack! See this spoon Jack has? That is JACK'S spoon!! Do NOT attempt to touch JACK'S spoon!! ;-) (It doesn't make him happy.) He carried this spoon around most of the night. I thought it was pretty funny! :-)

Jack, Benjamin and Noah playing:

And can you believe it, I got a picture of the whole group!! Thanks so much for coming everyone!! We had so much fun and we love and appreciate you all!