happy 1st birthday, brecken...part 1

Happy 1st Birthday to our sweet Brecken Thomas! This past year has gone by so quickly, but not without many memories, many joys, and many smiles! We loved celebrating Brecken's birthday with family at Oma's house. Daddy grilled out burgers, and we enjoyed having lunch together! Happy 1st Birthday, baby brother! We love you so much!

Decoration...and party favors for each person...yummy!

Brecken's personal cake & party hat!

(Daddy picked out the football theme for Brecken's party!)

And, here he is...the BIRTHDAY BOY!!

Happy 1st Birthday, Brecken!

Brecken with one of his favorite cousins, Kaitlyn.

And, playing and "chatting" with our cousin, Easton!

"Happy Birthday to you..."

Daddy & Mommy love sweet Brecken...

...and can't believe he is already 1!

Brecken loved his birthday balloon...he giggled a lot at it!

And, time to dig into the cake...

Daddy helps him out at first...

...but, he's all ready (check out that tongue!)

Uh oh...maybe he doesn't like it on his hands...

...or he's not sure what to think...

So, he puts his whole hand in (with assistance from Daddy)...

...and again...

...but never puts it in his mouth! So funny!

We think he's not loving the messy hands...

...so Mommy gives him a spoon!

He loved that, but he only played with the cake!

So, Mommy decided it was time for the cake to go in his mouth!!

But, he'd rather feed it to Mommy!

Brecken didn't really love eating his cake, but he sure loved playing with it!

All cleaned up and ready for presents!

Brecken was tired at this point, but he liked all his presents...while sitting in his new chair from Oma!

He loved his hammer/ball toy...made him laugh a lot. Brecken carried that hammer around all day...and didn't want to share it with others. It was too funny!

Eager to see what's in the next bag...

Yay...a 2 sided activity table. Thanks to Poppy & Nana!

(Please note the hammer still in his hand for the remainder of the gift opening! :))

The birthday boy enjoying his gifts!

Poppy & Nana with the Birthday Boy!

Our Family...celebrating the birthday boy!

Oma with the "droopy eyed, super tired, but sweet" birthday boy!

As we were heading out to the car, Brecken got his second wind...of course, with the hammer in hand. So, he went off walking...and smiling...

...and walking...

(Notice his sweet curls?)

...and walking...

...and walking.

Happy 1st Birthday, Brecken Thomas.

happy birthday, brecken...part 2

Happy Birthday, Brecken...part 2 happened because he was too tired to open his gifts from us on his birthday. So, we (Brady & me) each gave him our gifts...hence, part 2! :)

The Boys...Brecken is obviously mesmerized by something else!

We loved helping him with his gifts...

...and he liked ripping the paper!

Yay...another musical toy!

We love birthdays...

fun in the sun...in january!!

One of the great things we love about North Carolina is the random couple of warm days in January. So, we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and headed outdoors for some fun in the sun...

Brady riding his scooter...

...while Brecken drives a car.

It was his first time driving a car, and he loved it!

Happy Boy...

...with lots of smiles to give!

I am attempting to learn how to roller skate...well, for now, it's more like roller walking :)

Brady with his "pretty smile."

And, showing his shovel that he used to dig in the dirt...

"because that's just what boys do, Mommy."

And, I'm ready...

...and Brecken is already cruising down the sidewalk...changing the radio station...while sticking out his tongue...

...while Brady is ready to dig a really big hole.

And, here I am..."roller walking..." :)

...while Brady digs.

We sure love to play outside...and we love each other!

blessed & thankful

Averie ~ 6 years old

Brady ~ 3 years old

Brecken ~ 11 months old

first haircut...

Much to the "pushing" of everyone else, Mommy finally decided to get Brecken's hair cut. She wanted to wait until he turned 1, but she realized it was getting really long and "unruly." :) So, Mommy (of course) took some "before" shots of Brecken...and then off to Mrs. Lara's house they went for his first hair cut.

Cruising around the house...

Happy Boy...doing a little "posing" for Mommy!

The good "before" shot...showing his "wings" and crazy hair! :)

Mommy tamed down his hair (& tucked it behind his ear) with some super yummy Dutch hair product before getting to Mrs. Lara's house...this is right before the scissors met his hair!

The cape is on...and Brecken is ready!

He wasn't sure what to think at first...

...but he liked it at first!

Does he look relaxed...or what? :)

Now...he's ready for it to be "all done" (as he said).

Not sure if he's smiling...or crying!

Either way, he did great...and his hair looks so very nice! What a handsome boy...even though Mommy thinks his hair cut made him age by at least 6 months! Hard to believe he'll be one in just a little over a week!

Great job, Brecken, with your very first haircut!!