Happy Birthday to Iain!

We had a wonderful time today, celebrating this little man's first year of life. We're falling exhausted into bed after a day chock-full of fun, laughter, family, adventures and celebrations, so the details and pictures will have to wait for another day. For now though, since we can't let a momentous day like this pass without mention, some highlights of Iain's first birthday included...

A trip to the Madison zoo with some of Iain's favorite people!

A fun backyard BBQ with (most) of Iain's wonderful family!

(Uncle Brett, Aunt Breha and Uncle Stu...you were terribly missed!)

An AMAZING cake inspired by "Mr. Lion" and created by Auntie Ashlee

WAAAY more sugar in one sitting, than Iain's had in his whole life! TWICE.

Little boy, we are so thankful for you. We love you with all of our hearts and thank God for you EVERY day. We are so glad to be your Mama and Daddy, so happy to celebrate your first year of life, and so looking forward to all the adventures to come! Happy Birthday Iain James!

Details (and many, many, MANY photos!) to follow!

Sad Little Niño

Cinco de Mayo is NOT Iain's favorite holiday!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

These little guys brightened my day today! It's always fun to celebrate something, so make yourself some fajitas, and find a Mexican friend, and wish them a Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Campfire Season!

We always love a good campfire: yummy s'mores, a cozy blanket, a warm face and a cool back...what's not to love! We introduced Iain to our love of campfires, and he shared the affection! He even enjoyed a s'more! Well...let's call it 2/3 of a s'more! He gobbled up MORE than his fair share of graham crackers, casually munched a marshmallow or two, but completely rejected the chocolate. How can he not know that this is the best part of a s'more? He can't be related to me OR Neil!

He even understands that campfires are best when snuggled up with someone you love! Smart kid! We are looking forward to a summer full of campfires!

FUN in the SUN!

In keeping with the whole "April is the new July" mentality, we discovered that yesterday was a perfect pool day! Iain and I drove to West Liberty to spend the day with Becky and Courtney, and we all had a wonderful time playing, splashing and relaxing in the beautiful outdoors. The cousins enjoyed the pool, and the moms enjoyed the sun! Summer can't come too fast!

Courtney in her adorable "surfer girl" swimsuit!

Iain is quite excited about the pool!

"Look Courtney...a starfish!"

"Look Mom! A starfish!"

A Perfect Summer Day (...in April)

Sunday was just too perfect a day NOT to be outside! After church, we enjoyed a great Sunday afternoon lunch with the Pitman crew, a nap, and a good game of golf (for Neil), and we still weren't ready to come in from the sunshine. So we packed a picnic supper and walked up to Allison Henderson park for some outdoors family time. It was a perfect end to a great weekend! We finished up with the first ice-cream of "summer" from Beecher's. What a great day!

We ate dinner on a blanket and played with a ball...

We drove a "bus"...
("...Look Ma! No hands!")


We rode a motorcycle!

We dug up the dirt with our backhoe!

We tried swings for the first time! And loved them!

In case we were feeling too optomistic about the weather in Iowa in April, on our walk home, we noticed the temperature rapidly dropping, bringing us back to reality and leaving our baby in shorts a little cold! But it was still a fun time, and a great token of what's to come! Bring on summer!

Easter!

It is so fitting that we celebrate Easter in the spring. Everything about this time of year just shouts resurrection. New life. Joy! As I see the flowers, the leaves, the grass springing forth after their long winter's slumber, it is such a tangible reminder that death is swallowed up in life, that victory is ours! He is risen indeed! We had a wonderful Easter trip to Canada filled with sunshine, good friends, precious family and delicious food. It was altogether too short, but we loved every second. Here are some captured moments of our time and this beautiful season.

These eggs are not merely festive decorations-they are also Iain's favorite toy!

He loves to throw them on the ground and laugh and laugh...!

Delicious "Good Saturday" brunch with family and friends in the homeland-a precious tradition!

Our little bunny opening his Easter basket

Handsome little Easter fella!

Iain and his new best friend Abby!