Isaiah, 1 Year

Baby Ze celebrated his first birthday a few weeks ago (I've been extremely behind in the editing process!!) at his grandparents house.  He spent the day surrounded by friends both big and small, eating lots of treats, and pointing out every ball, balloon, and shoe he could see.  He is so alert and observant!  And in the weeks since I took these pictures, he became a true toddler.  It's crazy to see his mother's pictures and realize that he is now dancing, when he was just taking a few hesitant steps at the party.  But that, I suppose, is the only downside to childhood - how fast it goes.

The week before his birthday party, there was a driving rain storm, and as I was making my way home from work, I suddenly remembered another storm, less than 2 weeks before Ze was born.  Hilary and I met for dinner on a very hot, humid, rainy day.  She was uncomfortably pregnant, and having a hard time dealing with the weather.  And she had that funny look about her, that beauty that comes over someone before they are about to completely change.  She was ready for motherhood, although she was nervous.  I am so proud of her for the job she's done so far, and I think the photos prove that she, Gabe, and Ze are making quite the fantastically beautiful family.

These are just a few of the photos I took... there were too many to post all.  So you get my favorites.

Happy Birthday, Isaiah!  You are loved.

Jude is 10.

These boys.  I remember the days they were born.  They are the first children I've known in this way - being able to see them grow and learn from an adult's perspective has been fascinating.  They (and their family, particularly their mother) have taught me so much about life, as much as my own family has.   They make me happy, and very grateful.

The 2nd of his 3 cakes!  Becky made this one.

Birthday Snippets

I didn't take many pictures at my own party/get together.  No pictures of people.  This is ridiculous, and I promise myself I will do better at the next birthday.  So here are just a few photos of the (rainy) view from the party and the GORGEOUS cake Becky made me.  It was delicious.  (YOU TOO can have a Becky Bakes cake.  click here.)

Stephen has a Birthday

Those of us that graduated in 2000 are having a big year.  We're slowly being forced to acknowledge that we are grown ups.  Some of us are married, some of us own houses, have children.  As someone said this weekend, "you know you're getting older when you need to have juice boxes at parties."

Steve and Jacqi are two of my most favorite people in the world.  They are a wonderfully kind couple with whom I have spent two evenings in the last month (which is to say, not all of these photos were taken on the same day).  They hosted me for dinner last week, and I returned this week for Steve's birthday.  It was a great party, with lots of friends and family, and tons of delicious food.  The only downside to the night was a selfish one - the end of Stephen's birthday means mine is just days away.  I dread getting to the big three-oh, but I'm absolutely thrilled to celebrate everyone else's.

I'd also like to point out that this week will mark Steve and Jacqi's 2nd wedding anniversary, and I wish them both many, many more years of happiness!

stella

making friends 

cake time

maggie

harvesting

mother and daughter 

trick candles!