one year old

One very short year ago this little lady joined us. I can't find the right words to express what she means to us and how she's changed our lives. She's the biggest blessing we could have hoped for. We are grateful for our Heavenly Father for entrusting her to be in our family and for Ben and I to be her parents. always.

Charlotte, we love you to the moon. and back.

Today, Charlotte and I played and played. I didn't try to get any cleaning or crafting done. I played and cuddled with her every second that I could. We went on a walk and to the park to swing. We shared a scoop of ice cream. We went and got her pictures taken. We read her Happy Birthday to You by Dr. Seuss. I think I sang "Happy Birthday" to her two dozen times. She smiled and loved the attention.

Gosh, I love this kid.

This Saturday is her big party with friends and presents.

Ladybug themed.

Of course.

enjoying the end of fall

Charlotte, her buddy Theron, and I spent the afternoon in our yard playing in the leaves. It was the simplest thing, but for some reason I had so much fun. We collected leaves, ate them, crunched them in our fingers, made leaf rubbings, and enjoyed the mild weather while it lasted.

I could not keep these leaves from entering her tiny mouth. over. and over. and over again.

But she's pretty darling so I didn't mind too much.

This kid conducted music half the time we were out there.

crunching those leaves

my view

eating leaves... again

just hanging out

watching a coldplay music video on my computer

a few more from Halloween

I've been going through my pictures and had a few more Halloween I was meaning to share.

I think her face says it all

she crawled over and hugged him/her/it ... then stroked its face

this was her first candy grab ever ... she didn't know what to do so Ben helped ... and of course grabbed his favorite candy

she was done at this point and it was way past her bed time

sifting through the goods ... I think she got five pieces

we let her lick a sucker =)

the irish and amish

We live less than two hours away from Notre Dame and some of the best Amish country around. A few weekends ago we went to a football game and then hung out with the Amish for an afternoon. When we got home after the football game we watched Rudy... of course. It was a nice little getaway.

one of my absolute favorite pictures of her

we strolled through Notre Dame's campus before we headed back home

it was beautiful

finishing off Ben's coke... just kidding just kidding...

she actually napped for a few minutes during the game... a very short few minutes

Ben took her on a walk because she was getting a little restless and brought back a pom pom and our baby

it was so fun to go to a college football game and be in that kind of environment again... made me miss BYU

she doesn't look too happy does she? gosh, this makes me wonder what kind of faces she'll give me when she's a teenager... =(

a very late shout out

Two weeks ago from today was this little man's FIRST BIRTHDAY!

I still remember visiting him when he was less than a week old. I could barely hold him on my lap because I was so pregnant with Charlotte.

Theron is Charlotte's absolute best friend. We are fortunate enough to have he and his family (who are like family) live above us in a two flat. They get to play almost every day with each other and get so excited to see one another that often they hug and tip over... then someone cries.

We love you, Theron! Happy Birthday, bud!

a late thank you

Thank you, Carrie and Mom for the package. Charlotte's favorite wasn't the candy, tutu, decorations, or gift card... but the tissue paper. =) thanks

sundays

ben works five 12+ hour days and a sixth day he's on call

leaves the house at 4:30 am

comes home and takes over and feeds/bathes Charlotte

goes to sleep around 8:30

on the sundays he has off he

takes care of Charlotte all day so i can have a nap and some me time without the little cherub glued to my hip like every other day

i love sundays

and

i love ben

a lazy sunday on the love sack

watching a 'sunday movie'... wizard of oz is totally an appropriate 'sunday movie', right...? =)

thank you ben

Disneyworld 2010

We went to the other 'Happiest Place On Earth' that resides in Florida back in September. We went with our really good friends Eli and Krista. It was magical... of course =)

If we ever live in California (which we would love), then we would be utilizing an annual pass to Disney like nobody's business...

I love her tiny hand holding onto her daddy's arm while on a ride.

two Mickey-eared buddies

on the Dumbo ride

she loved Pirates of the Caribbean... can't ya tell?!

Ben and I went on our honeymoon to Disneyworld so it was so fun to go back almost five years later with our baby.

We were able to be there during their Halloween celebration which I had never done before, it was completely decked out in the cutest decorations.

She always acts unsure when she first hops on a merry-go-round and then loves it once it gets going (video below).

Charlotte was in charge of 'steering' our car on the Buzz Lightyear ride where you shoot at targets. Every time we'd get a good shot I felt like she'd yank you in the opposite way... punk...

our little incredible

"Yep, Dad, that ride was sweet..."

We have almost this exact shot from when we came on our honeymoon. Now it's the three of us!

in Japan at Epcot

Eli and Krista... aren't they the cutest couple? gosh, they're gonna have great looking kids... hint hint... =)

And below are a TON of videos for your viewing pleasure. One is of her enjoying the wind on the ferry from Disneyworld, another from the ride in Mexico at Epcot, enjoying dinner, riding a merry-go-round, and playing with our camera case. Hopefully they'll all work!