Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

I have writers block and can't quite come up with something clever or deep to say about my sweet little thing turning one today...I'm well, speechless. I'll let these cute pictures I took of her this morning do the talking:

Happy First Birthday Sadie Girl! XOXO

Heaven on Earth

If I were told to think of my "happy place," it would look a little something like this:

Coke - the good stuff, made with sugar

Caprese salad - with extra balsamic vinegar

MacBook - to surf

Cuz it's what I do

I have a yearly tradition that started quite a few years back. It's called see how fast I can kill some potted plants. It's so much fun, and totally easy. You should give it a try sometime.

You begin by picking out some pretty flowers at a local garden center. Transplant them into a few cute pots and water. The next step is the tricky part, but I know you can do it if you set your mind to it: forget to water them for about 2 weeks straight, and voila, dead flowers!

I do this for three reasons:

1. I have yet to give up on the idea that I could someday be a fantastic gardener if I could just remember to be!

2. Nothing says welcome to my home like shriveled dead plants on the doorstep.

3. It's how I give directions. It goes a little something like this: "it's the second to last house on the left, just look for the dead flowers."

He's Sooo Cute!

While at Baby Gap yesterday I commented on how adorable this little newborn was next to me. Her mother smiled and said thanks, he's so cute too! I replied SHE is a cutie, isn't SHE! Then comes something I see almost daily; it's called trying to pedal backwards. The lady then says, oh sorry, I didn't realize....she just doesn't have any hair......so cute though....bows always worked for my older girl who was always confused for a boy....did I mention that she is cute.....blah blah blah blah blah. Seriously, does this little thing look anything like a boy to you?

What makes it confusing for you and everyone else? Must have been the the white ruffled/lace shirt she was wearing. No, No, it had to be her pink polka dot blankie she was snuggling with. Pink is all the rage for boys these days.

Or perhaps her gold gladiator sandals?

Don't be concerned Sadie, you look like a beautiful GIRL to me!

ps- that other girl wasn't that cute....it was only because she was a newborn and I am baby hungry that made her cute. Take that lady with zero skills in deduction.

OK! Go - Sideways

This will only work good if you do three things for me:

1. Turn off the sound. My high pitched mommy voice is just too much!

2. Tilt your head sideways

3. Try to be 1/2 as excited as I am.

*L*U*C*K*Y*

Happy Birthday Johnny Boy! Wish I was in Arizona with you right about now. Soak up some sun rays and bring back with you the smell of orange blossoms. -AND- If you have Nielsen's Frozen Custard, just lie to me and say you didn't. (I can only suppress so much jealousy at any given time)

Hijacked

Maxers often likes to borrow my camera for a spell and photograph his favorite model. Usually I end up with the most random shots of the back of Sadie crawling away from a crazed photographer and I end up erasing them much to Max's dismay. Today was a little different. I guess I'm not the only one in the family who likes self portraits. I love this picture, it's something about his eyes...

I would say about 95% of the time Max is wearing mismatched socks or ones with holes. I'm glad he picked a good day to capture his feet.

i love u max!

Two things:

1. This is a self portrait of me and my current obsession. Dark chocolate and peanut butter anything. I'm sure right now you are thinking that I'm a weirdo for taking pictures of myself and a cake, but I don't care. I had to document it's lovely deliciousness and the fact that I made it! MMMM HMMMMM. I am literally counting down the hours that I can devour this wonderful in oh so many ways cake. (it's actually the only cake I like) 23 hours and counting....

Here is another look at the awesomeness I created with a little help from Bakerella.

2. Look who is starting to stand on her own!! My little Sadie is getting closer and closer to walking freedom. I read somewhere during one of my blog stalking sessions that you spend the first year of your babies life trying to get them up and mobile, and the rest of their life trying to slow them down! I think I'm nearing the rest of her life stage. Tear.

Jack's big day

A few months ago I sat down Jackson and asked him if he wanted to have a birthday party or his baptism on his birthday. Without hesitation, he answered GET BAPTIZED!! I was pretty impressed with his answer considering my boys talk and plan their birthday parties years in advance. Just ask Max what kind of party he wants when he turns ten and he'll fill you in on all of the details.

A lot of religions baptize their children at a very young age. Latter Day Saints believe in baptism at the age of 8 which we call the age of accountability. It is an age that children should know right from wrong and thus be held accountable for their sins. By being baptized, we covenant with God to take upon Christ's name, keep his commandments and to serve him. If we do these things, the Lord will bless us for being faithful. I was amazed to see tremendous growth in Jackson this past year and truly see that he was ready to take this big step.

Jackson is a pretty hands on kind of a guy so I let him plan everything down to the last detail. He asked his Nana and best pal Andy to give talks, have his Grandma and Grandpa say prayers and chose three of his favorite songs to sing. Here is Jack before the big event.

Jackson was thrilled to have both sets of Grandparents fly in for the occasion.

A proud Mama and one excited son.

I'm glad Max was here for all of the excitement. He now thinks that he might want to get baptized.

Father and son dressed to the nine after the baptism.

I'll never forget the service, it turned out to be extremely sweet and memorable.

Seriously, what didn't happen this weekend?

I am a list person. I've been known to make a list of lists that need to be made. Yep, that is me, I need something to check off so I can feel like I've accomplished something. Shower, check. Brush teeth, check. Wipe my fanny, check. OK, I'm not that over the top. Anyways, here is a list of some of the many things we did this action packed weekend: (not in order of importance)

1. Had visitors! Both sides of Grandparents flew into town for a few special days. Thanks guys!

2. John took Thursday AND Friday off. I can't remember the last time he took off work unless it was for a true out of town vacation.

3. Jackson turned 8 and had one heck of a all boy Mad Science birthday party. (yes I deserve a pat on the back for taking on 12 boys for 2 1/2 hours and nobody was injured in the process)

4. Max learned to ride a two wheel bike!! Go Maxers!!

5. Haircuts.....goodbye floppy mops, hello buzz cuts.

6. BBQ - two to be exact. I l-o-v-e BBQ weather.

7. Smashburger. Nuff Said

8. Retrieving a remote control helicopter off the roof with no broken bones.

9. Our family was introduced to buttermilk syrup. If I could I would change it from a topping to a beverage. It's that good people.

10. Last, but not least, Jackson was baptized!!!!!!!!!! (this will get it's own post later)

And what would a post be without some pictures to show?

Max requested hair "like Sadie's," but we were not willing to go that short.

The Fam before the baptism.

Love this girl.

Side note: if you ever want to impress a bunch of 8 yr. old boys, just whip out a blow torch.

............or a Laser Beam.

Go Max, Go!

Sadie trying to pop my bubble.

It's going to be hard to top this birthday weekend extravaganza. I guess it's all downhill from here!

This week I will be recovering from all of the action. Time to make a list of ways to relax and still take care of the fam.