Birthday fun

Henry's first birthday was on Mothers' Day this year.  It was a big weekend for us -- our church also had a baby dedication that day that we participated in, and James's Clemson graduation was on Friday.  We were able to spend a lot of time with family and friends over the weekend.

Henry had a great time showing off and playing with Grammy, Papa, and Aunt Caroline on Friday between graduation festivities.

Here he is opening gifts with Daddy...I don't think he ever really understood what was going on, but he loved the new toys and books he got!

Trying out some cheerios in his new bowl.

Playing with his new toys from Grandaddy and Andi

And he loves his instruments from Uncle Steven, Aunt Teri Lee, and Carter!

We also had a birthday party for Henry after church on Sunday, since our families were already in town for the dedication.  We went out to a park and grilled burgers and had cupcakes...and it rained the whole time!  But luckily we went to a park that had a picnic shelter, and the rain wasn't so hard that Henry and Carter couldn't enjoy the playground a little bit.

We found Henry "helping" with the cupcake frosting the day before.

Our CP group friends who were able to make it to Henry's party.

Henry was very unsure about everyone singing Happy Birthday to him.  He didn't even notice the candle.

But it just got better from there! 

I love this compilation that our friend Susan did!

And this is the end of the day...birthday excitement is wearing off and short naps and long weekend are kicking in :)

Overall it was a great weekend.  We are so  blessed by all of our friends and family who love Henry and are investing in his life, and we are so thankful for this year that we've had with him!

Faces

Beach Trip

A couple of weeks ago Henry and I were able to go to the beach with Andria and Teri Lee (Travis' mom and sister) and Carter.  We went during the week, so we missed Travis, but we still had a great time.

The house had a big porch on the back that overlooked the beach.  It was perfect for relaxing during naptime, and for playtime for the boys.

And for pushing toys back and forth lots and lots of times...

with only a few crashes :)

Packing this cart was a last minute decision, but it turned out to be a hit with both boys.  Glad I decided to bring it!

Henry loved pushing it on the beach, too.  He is getting good at pushing and steering it.  He actually took his first steps while we were there.  He was playing on the floor with Andi when I walked into the room and he stepped right to me...probably about 3 steps.  He did it a few more times the next day, but ever since he has been super careful not to take any steps unless he is sure that he is given something to hold onto.  Oh well, he'll get there soon. :)

These beach chairs that Andi brought were also a big hit with the boys.

Possibly because they got to eat snacks in them.

This PB&J roll up from Teri Lee was probably one of Henry's favorite parts of the trip.  But then he tried to eat it too fast, and ended up choking on it, and spitting it out...and it ended up all over both of us.

And I believe this is Henry's exhausted face...he certainly had good reason to make it after a full week of playing hard and napping as little as he could get away with! :)

Camping

We got to go camping with Travis's family a few weekends ago.  I was not at all convinced that Henry would do well sleeping in a tent unless we could put him in the pack & play, and Travis was not at all convinced that the pack & play would fit in the tent.  But it did, and Henry did great!  He slept well all night long, took his naps well, and had a great time being outside all weekend.  Travis and I enjoyed it as well, and since camping was one of our favorite weekend activities before we became parents, we were glad to know that we wouldn't have to give it up :)

 Henry loves to play with Carter -- or watch Carter play, really :)

Kisses!

We also got to do a little boat riding.  Henry was a little displeased with having to wear the life jacket.