Harrison's 1st Bday

Harrison's first birthday came at a busy time of the year.  We were down in Duck with the Holmes family all week, so preparations had to start early!  We decided that having the party at the house after being gone all week would be way too much work, so Hunt Club Farms was the next best choice--baby animals, a bounce house, and a 2 hour time limit . . . what could be easier and more fun?

First things first, (drum roll please . . .) the CAKE!  Since it was spring, the time of baby animals and our sweet baby, we dicided that a Farm animal theme would be perfect!  Cue the pinterest searching and fondant creating! 

 

This little piggy went to market . . .

The gang's all here, but wouldn't you know it, our ovens broke the week before the party.  Thank God for Costco sheet cakes and fantastic neighbors that let us borrow their oven!

 

So, it all sounded so easy--have the party somewhere else, low maintenance . . . except that we brought the whole house with us to set up.  All the food and preparations were worth it when we got a big thumbs up from big brother, Hudson:

The day started with a little drizzle, so the baby animals were brought inside for some birthday love

Our little birthday boy wearing the same birthday outfit as his brother did.  Hard to believe it fit both of them!

Hudson and Julianna just hanging out in the straw

Once the weather cleared up a bit, we took the party outside to the bounce house where even the littlest birthday boy got in on the action.  (special privileges granted to the birthday boy's mom)

Time for cake!  After his warm up in the outer banks, Harrison was ready to show his guests how it was done!

Don't worry guys, I know what I'm doing and I LOVE it!

If you ever wanted to know what pure joy looks like--it looks like this, especially when you are wrist deep in birthday cake

After the cake, we took a tour of the new aviary.  One birthday guest said they felt like a disney princess since the birds were so friendly

Mom wanted to make sure the older brother didn't feel left out.  What better way to make a guy feel special than turn him into a cow?

 

Birthday Video!

 Also this spring we went back to the circus to see the elephants on their farewell tour with Barnum and Bailey (and we think this may have been before the party and before the outer banks due to the appearance of Harrison's hair and the fact that we also have photos of his first hair cut on here . . . second kid, hard to remember the details.)

Hudson was of course perfectly content to stay for the whole circus as long as a box of popcorn was in front of him.  Harrison on the other hand was ready to jet after the first half.  Staying still and seated for that long is not something most newly walking 1 year olds can do

First Haircut

One of the first beautiful spring days

Someday, he will fall asleep like this and it won't be so innocent.  Until then, enjoy those sweet cheeks!

Hudson and Julianna at Noelle's 3rd birthday.  It looked like they were on a little date

He should have been sleeping, but instead he decided to read himself a book.  It was just too cute to stop

Once the book was over, he decided to lure the dogs into his room, but at least he rewards their loyalty . . .

Snack time!

Hanging out with Shannon this spring.  She's the greatest, she takes the boys to the beach, makes them snacks on the swingset, and always makes sure they have smiles on their faces.  We are so lucky!

Who is this big boy? Not my baby surely . . .

Quick trip to visit DohDoh and DayDay wouldn't be complete without feeding the horses sugar cubes, carrots, and apples.

A quick moment of relaxation

Turns out this little guy loves corn on the cob just as much as his brother. 

Note the new ovens in the background.  They were installed literally the day after Harrison's party.  Talk about a day late . . .

Early morning playdate with the Riggans boys at the cabana, courtesy of Uncle Cappy and Aunt Lauren

On the way home, we ran into a monster truck--what are the odds??

Towards the end of the school year, Hudson had his last field trip to the Virginia Beach Farmer's Market.  The kids learned all of the chores you would do if you lived on a farm.  They also got to milk a (fake) cow, grind up corn for cornmeal, plant a tomato plant, and hold a few worms.  All in all a great day!  This also marked the last time Harrison was in the baby bjorn.  3 hours of a 25 pound baby makes a a very sore momma (3 days to be exact)

feeding the chickens

ice cream treat in the edible garden.  Hudson was one of the only kids who picked peas and tomatoes to eat

A fun adventure with mom--started out with Harrison on his tricycle and Hudson on his scooter.  We made it about half way around the circle and had to improvise

Piano man

The carnival at St Nicks is back! 

Probably the perfect car for them to ride in.  Hudson thoroughly enjoyed himself and so did Patrick!

Mommy got in on the action too!  While Harrison enjoyed some carnie food

Impromptu inaugural trip the $5 below store was fruitful.  What you can't appreciate in this picture is Hudson talking to his new boat and saying things like, "Oh mommy, I love my boat, I love it I love it I love it"  It took all of 2 seconds the next week at the beach to sink it and relieve it of the title "remote control" boat 

This school year, Hudson grew 3 inches.  Here he is showing just how sweaty and messy a growing boy can get just eating dinner

To keep up with his eating habits and those of his brother, we planted another garden this year.  Thankfully we had a little helper to decide where all of his tomato plants should go

bedtime stories with daddy

Strawberries are back in season and both boys are getting in on the action.  If you had told us a year ago that Harrison would be able to eat a strawberry out of the patch unassisted, we never would have believed you.  Thank God for miracles. 

After school playtime for the Holmes men

A little preview from our week in Atlantic Beach with the Damerons!