Thanks Grandpa!

Daniel recieved a very special gift for his birthday - Grandpa made Daniel a fantastic rocking horse for his first birthday! It is a huge hit! We are trying to think of a good name for Daniel's horse, but in the mean time Daniel is enjoying the rocking horse! He can't get on and off on his own yet, but he is a very good rider. We have been really enjoying spending time with Grandma and Grandpa, and are sad that they have to leave in the morning.

Way Up High!

Grandma has spent the last couple weeks cracking the whip on Grandpa to get the house spruced up, We like to think it is for Daniel's first birthday party! One of the fun things that was brought to the house under the guise of a work tool was this enormous lift. Grandpa took a little time out from working to give us a ride. It was a little scary, but fun!

That Face!

Last week we went to Music in the Park with Grandma and Grandpa. I'm not sure what Daniel saw, smelled, or found otherwise distasteful, but he started wrinkling his nose...and hasn't stopped since! Grandma and Grandpa treated us to ice cream, too which Daniel liked a lot more!

First Birthday

I cannot believe that Daniel is a year old already! Actually, one year ago from this moment his was about 3o minutes old. I could go on and on about all the mushy stuff Brian and I have talked about for the last few days, and all the wonder and joy Daniel has brought to our lives...but that is probably obvious. So instead, I would like to take everyone to Sept. 6, 2008...4:30 in the afternoon, when we brought Daniel home from the hospital. It was a little rainy and cool that day, and as brand new parents, we were careful to bundle him up and gently carry him into the house. We got him settled into his swing, and then Brian and I looked into each others' eyes and said, "#@!%&, Now what!?" And with that relatively fresh in our minds, Brian and I gave each other a big high-five this morning because we survived an entire year as parents, even though it no longer phases us that Daniel gives Penny open-mouth kisses and eats crumbs off the floor.

In other news, we had Daniel's party at Grandma and Grandpa's today. Daniel was lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents to celebrate with, as well as many others. The weather was wonderful, so we were able to eat outside. It was a great time, and we are all exhausted!

A Spider, Some Dirt, and a Billy Goat

Summer is unfortunately winding down because school is starting and the weather is getting cooling (if that is possible!). Yesterday, I took Daniel to check out a day care. We needed something for Fridays when I am in school and Brian is sleeping and getting ready for work. We were pretty sure Daniel would enjoy spending the afternoon with other kids, and after yesterday I am even more convinced! His "teacher" seems like a really great lady and plans lots of fun activities. We have an even busier week next week as we are anxiously awaiting Grandma and Grandpa's visit, the fair, and a little day we like to call "The Day Our Lives Began" (aka Daniel's birthday)! I'm thinking there will be pictures galore, followed by many blog updates.

I killed this enormous spider all by myself. "If you kill a spider, it will rain the following day" has any truth to it then I am personally responsible for Hurricane Bill!

Daniel is teaching his daddy to fear the silence! While Brian was making Daniel a delicious lunch, someone crawled behind the couch and started eating dirt from the planter! Appetizer, perhaps?

Daniel has figured out how to climb on top of the books to look out the window.

Unfortunately, he hasn't figured out to get back down on his own.

Just a random picture from breakfast this morning. Daniel has been enjoying "farm fresh" eggs for a few weeks now!

First Boat Ride

Monday night Grandpa and Grandma took us out on a boat ride! For Daniel and myself, this was our first boat ride of the season. As expected, Daniel was less than impressed with his life jacket, even though I think it's quite stylish. We broke out some food and his horn, and he was reasonably happy again.

For Aunt Nicole

When Aunt Nicole was here, she started Daniel's love of ketchup and ice cream. Well, he actually loved ice cream before she came, but Nicole was definitely an enabler in Daniel's ice cream addiction. He was so excited to have ketchup with his fries tonight that he gave up on relying on his hands to get the ketchup to his mouth, and started slurping it directly from the tray. The ice cream sandwich for dessert was a huge hit, too.