We Like to Party

I know my posts have been few, and very far between recently, but I thought I would write and let you know how we're doing!

David:  Yesterday was his 1st birthday! Even though Byron and I hadn't planned on making a big deal out of it, things got pretty crazy anyway. :)  During our breakfast prayer, David saw Caleb fold his arms, so he stopped eating and folded his arms too!  It was darling, and I was so proud.  During 2nd hour at church, our family was chosen to be the primary spotlight, so he got to be sung to with the rest  of the primary kids whose birthdays were this week, and then got to be spotlighted with Byron, Caleb, and me.  We left very quickly after church to go to my Aunt Liz's house.  She was awesome and planned a combined birthday party for David, Westley (my 3 year old cousin), and my Aunt Mary.  It was a luau theme and it was a crazy busy party. We did a water ballon toss, pinata's for 2 age groups (kids and adults) as well as the limbo, and let each of the guests of honor blow out a candle before digging into cake.  My Aunt Liz went all out picking out decorations and Byron and I had a heck of a time trying to get them up before guests started arriving.  It turned out looking pretty great, but I think the crowning glory was the palm tree she made out of pineapples, baby bananas, and palm leaf looking things. During the party David took his very first steps! It was about 3 or 4, and he hasn't done it since, but we were pretty excited for him. :)

Other note worthy mentions for David - He can now go up stairs like a pro.  He doesn't go down, but he loves going up.  He loves chocolate milk, naptime, and I put his crib in Caleb's room today!

Caleb:  He's a really great big brother.  He loves playing with David, talks all the time to everyone, about everything, and can't wait for his birthday.  He's also potty training!!! We started 8 days ago, putting him in big boy underwear when we came home from church, and were greatly encouraged when he stayed dry all evening, and woke up dry the next morning, even though he had been in a diaper.  I took him everywhere in underwear, even braved a trip to IKEA and we've only had a handful of accidents (most of them of the stinky variety, so that's a bummer) but we may reach my goal of having him potty trained by the end of the month! Woo hoo!  

Byron:  He's doing the same old same old...He works hard, loves us, all so stinking much, and is the best husband I could possibly ask for.

Arielle:  Some things have changed, and some things have stayed the same.  I've started waking up at 6 with Byron and trying to get some calisthenics in with him each morning.  I'm sore most of the time now, but it's worth it I think. :)  We wake the boys up between 6:30 and 7 and we all eat breakfast together so that I can get them down for naps more regularly, and I love watching David jam in his high chair while I get breakfast ready.  I still try to get to the YMCA every day and have started babysitting a young toddler for a family in my parents ward. It's only for the next 3 weeks until she goes on maternity leave, and today was the first day.  He's cute, but he doesn't really trust me yet and only smiled a handful of times, but hopefully he'll warm up to us quickly.

In General:  The past week has been a really busy one, and went by very quickly!  Monday I got to spend time with Kitara, Katrina, her 2 cutie pies, and Samantha! We made a trip to IKEA and Katrina picked up some shelves for her house. I picked out a set of canvas' I want to hang in my room, and we all had a good time with lunch. Wednesday we got to go to play group.  I love hanging out with friends, and I got to spend even more time with them that evening when I attended an enrichment activity.  Thursday morning my Mommy took David's 1 year pictures. They were absolutely darling, and I had a really hard time trying to decide what to print, but I think I've got it narrowed down and I'm looking forward to seeing them!  Saturday morning we left Caleb and David with a wonderful family in our ward, and headed to Columbus with my parents to attend an endowment session for my cousin.  It was beautiful, and wonderful to see so much of our family gathered together for such a sacred occasion.  Sunday was a busy day, and we enjoyed getting to go to church, and a big birthday party for the August Family birthdays. We are excited about spending another week learning and growing together, and hope that you're all having a wonderful life as well.  We love you!

After a bath and before his haircut - he was looking a little wild!

Handsome boy after his first haircut!

Decorations from the party!

David's smash cake <3

The Birthday Boy with his favorite Aunt!

Getting ready for a water balloon toss

The kids were all excited for the pinata

Not sure if he wants to touch the cake

I guess he decided it was pretty good. :)

He made a great mess.  This was just before he got hosed down.

My handsome 1 year old!

I just love this little man!

Standing with the amazing quilt his great Aunt Dorothy made for him!

Loving on Aunt Melissa's giraffe. <3