Birthday Visitors

Since Mallory's birthday fell on a Friday, my brother, Jill and Ember decided to come over for dinner. We had yummy burgers and sweet corn ... with a little fun for dessert. They also brought Mallory's present so we could have it setup for her party the next day.

She needed a little help getting started.

Well, actually, a lot of help.
What a CUTE house!
It's so interactive!

Assembly time.

The girls tried to be patient.

I guess I didn't get a picture of them playing with it.

They had a blast!

My dad brought over a pair of hostess cupcakes (MY favorite) for Mallory to enjoy on her actual birthday since her party wasn't until the next day. So, after dinner we sang.

She was a little shy...

...but didn't hesitate to dig in!

Straight for the frosting!

All finished!

Cake in the hair and all over the face require a bath.

(the fun was cut short though after Mallory pooped! in the tub)

Happy Birthday, Mallory!

Happy September 11th, Mallory - what a fun first year!

This is the face (hair?) I see every day when she wakes up, naptimes included!

I showed her the outfit she came home from the hospital in ... she wasn't too affected. :)

It's my birthday, Mom, but I'll still share a Cheerio with you. :)

A little sneak peak of the party preparations ... there's the beloved duck.

pre-party discovery

I had all of Mallory's birthday party supplies discreetly packed in the box they came in waiting for the festivities. She paid no attention to the box for at least 10 days. As I was cleaning up the kitchen one afternoon I heard some distinct rummaging. I took this first shot without being seen. Then in a funny voice I said, "What are youuuuu dooooing?"

This was her response:
I'm sure she thought she hit the jackpot.
Stay tuned for birthday fun!

Tanner's Orchard

The morning after Grandad's football game, we went to Tanner's Orchard.

Mallory LOVED the goats ...
... and feeding them ...

Great to have the stroller handy for a quick rest and a snack.

KANE feeding the goats!

... intrigued by the ducks ...

Kane and Cole had fun jumping from bale to bale in the "hay bale maze"

Mallory was such a trooper while we hung out at Tanner's for a good portion of the day. She was working on a molar and low on sleep after a couple of rough nights.

Cole went on a "barrel ride" ... the tractor pulls the train through the apple orchard for a little adventure sans parents.

Mini Golf!

Kane even got a whole-in-one!

... the end of a long (but fun!) day ...

Baby napped out before we left the parking lot. Such a trooper.

Grandad's Football Game - 09.04

We got to go to Grandad's football game against Woodruff at the beginning of the month (timely post, no?) Here's the fun we had after Streator's WIN! Yay!

How will we ever say no to these big blue eyes??

Yay! The ducks scored a touchdown!

(You thought I was kidding about the duck obsession?)
Who knew pylons could be so much fun?

She appears to smile like a Kane!!

(If I was any good at all I would have gotten the score in this picture and probably should photoshop out that random guy's hand.)

What a fun night!!