Happy birthday, sweetheart!

This morning I found myself saying, "One year ago today..." And how things have changed in a year. I never realized how different things would be or how much better. Our sweet Isabella has brought so much laughter and joy into our home. What an amazing blessing she is.

Happy Birthday, sweet Isabella! Your daddy and I have really enjoyed this past year with you.

Here are some pictures of our birthday party in Little Rock:

She didn't want to wear her birthday hat as much as she wanted to play with it.

Isabella liked the hat much better on mommy.

Isabella has learned not to trust that she's going to like everything I want her eat, so she's looking at this cake very uncertainly.

Hmmm... I like this stuff.

Yes, this is good...

This is much easier!

Isabella really enjoyed her birthday party. She was putting the icing in her mouth as fast as she could, but she still took the time to stop and wave to everyone watching. Several times, she'd stop and look around and wave. She didn't seem to mind at all being the center of attention.

Wedding weekend

We traveled to Little Rock on Thursday in my dad's RV. I've determined it's the only way to travel with a one year old. Isabella was able to play on the floor, take naps on the bed, and eat lunch at the table. It was wonderful. I hate to even think about riding in the car 7 hours with her strapped into a carseat. This was so much better. Little Rock was great, and probably would have been more fun if it hadn't been so hot. The highs were around 101 degrees with heat index of 110. I guess the heat and humidity just made us appreciate air conditioning that much more. We LOVE air conditioning!! John and I made it to Corky's BBQ where we had our first date (in NC) of the modern era, as John calls it. Lauren and Cody got in late Friday night, so Lauren and I spent some time Saturday shopping and getting ready for Isabella's birthday party (more to follow on that.) We got a lot of good family time together, and just really enjoyed our long weekend.

John and I were talked into playing canasta with my grandmother and her friend, Annabelle. We really enjoyed it and started getting into talking canasta smack. I love those red 3's...

What a great place for a nap!

Matt and Kasey's rehearsal dinner was casual and Western themed, hence the cowboy hats and boots. The wedding was at a beautiful mansion in downtown Little Rock. Kasey looked gorgeous, and Matt didn't look so bad either. He's a very lucky guy, and we're a lucky family to have Kasey joining us! I hope they can get back to Birmingham soon!

Kisses from grandpa

Larry and Claire went all out for the western theme

I love getting to see my cousins, Lane, Nathan, and Amber

before the wedding

Lauren and Cody

Matt and Kasey

Proud mama

Isabella took her first steps today!! The first was kind of a shuffle, but the second try was definitely a step. She was so proud of herself. When she looked up at me with a sparkle in those sweet blue eyes and a huge grin on her face, I could tell she knew she'd accomplished something big. I can't describe the pride I feel watching her accomplish new things. I feel the most incredible sense of joy just seeing the pride and happiness in her face. My heart swells with love for this little girl; so much more love than I'd ever realized possible. It truly makes my accomplishments seem secondary, when I feel so much more joy in the triumphs of another person. Way to go, Isabella! I'm cheering for you every step of the way!

Happy Early Birthday!

John's family (most of them) are going to be out of town for Isabella's birthday and three of them (John's mom, niece, and brother) all had birthdays this past week. So, we usually have a big June birthday party for all of them and this year Isabella was included in the fun. We had a great dinner followed by bubbles and playtime in the yard and then cake! Candace made the most beautiful and delicious cake for Isabella. You really won't believe how perfect it is. So, Isabella got to have some cake before her first birthday. Lucky girl! I think she liked it!

She had her eye on the duck the whole time. She got such a huge chunk of icing in her mouth, I had to go in after it. She wasn't happy when I took the duck away. She loves the cake!Opening giftsPlaying with grandma

We kept cheering for her to walk, so I think she's proud of herself. She's finally clapping and standing at the same time.She was standing for such long periods, we really thought she'd walk today.

Playing with bubbles with her cousins