Tis the season

...for enjoying family and friends. We had a great Thanksgiving here - welcomed the gang to town starting Wednesday. I ran in the 5 mile turkey trot and got a much needed boost at the end when I saw Alexis and Vic close to the finish line cheering me on.

The rest of the day was spent with food, wine, a fire, football and lots of Lexi smiles and first attempts at walking. She is SO close and seemed inspired to strut her stuff thanks to all the attention she was getting.
It was a great holiday and the perfect way to kick off such a fun season.

Giving Thanks

We're very excited about Thanksgiving around here and can't wait to open our home for a few days of family, food and fun (and our first fire of the season). It's Vic's very favorite holiday, and it seems like a fitting time to thank all of you who help make this life so sweet.

To help celebrate the season, a good friend took some family photos for us. So from our home to yours....Happy Thanksgiving!

The 12 Month Old You

We had a very fun week celebrating the twelve month old you, Alexis. Your family and friends helped make your first birthday such a special one for you and for us!

But on November 16, your actual birthday, it was a more quiet day, a more simple day, a pretty perfect day actually. Mommy woke you up singing Happy Birthday (by now the song had lost a bit of its luster, but you were happy all the same). We played with your toys and puzzles, we went for a walk. And then we jumped in the car and met daddy for lunch - what a treat! When he got home from work, it was time for more birthday cupcakes. I guess practice does make perfect as you loved it this time around!

We spent time "walking" (you are so close to taking off on your own), and then it was time for your bath. The sugar high had you bouncing off the walls - standing up, splashing, trying to swim in the tub, clapping, squealing. Part of me wishes I had stopped to video tape it, but the bigger part of me is happy I stayed right there with you and your dad and just enjoyed the moment! A quiet day, a simple day, a pretty perfect day indeed.

Mommy-and-Me Tea Party

The partying continues! On Tuesday, Alexis welcomed her best buddies for a "Mommy and Me Tea Party". Of course, it was the moms who enjoyed tea while the little ladies (and Gavin) preferred cupcakes, puffs and cheerios.

The girls could not have looked any cuter in their party attire, and they helped Lexi test out all her new toys. Looking forward to many more sweet moments with these friends (young and old).

The first guests for the tea party

The party had a pink and blue/cupcake theme

Cute little favor bags

Inside...BOWS of course!

"They're here, they're here!"

Alexis playing with Alyssa and Lily

Alexis and Madison

Lexi practicing her walking with Marci

The former gals of Glover Street

"Mommy and Me" friends

Pre-cupcake mess

Ever the polite hostess, Alexis decided all on her own to

crawl to the door and wave goodbye to her guests!

And now...onto the party

Turning ONE is lots of fun when your favorite family members are on hand to celebrate with you and fuss over you!

Sweet potatoes - check, Sweetie pie - check

Lexi getting some Nanny lovin

Proud Grandparents

Great Aunt Terry and Aunt Wendy (lovely photo, by the way)

Mimosa time (it's 5 o'clock somewhere

and we have a birthday girl to toast)

Our little ladybug loved her ladybug-themed

gifts from the Hanks family

How cute are those boots?

Almost makes me want a rainy day to come

A rose for our Alexis Rose (thanks T&D)

First spin in her new wheels - courtesy of Nanny and Grandpa Mike

(Who knew that Radio Flyer had gone so hi-tech?)

Our built-in babysitter...cousin Courtney

Guess who's broken into the wine

Pink suits you, Uncle John

Make a wish Lexi

"Hmm, not so sure what all the commotion is about..."

"But who am I to turn down food?"

A big thank you to the LaRose, Hamilton, Hanks and Iaccheri families for helping us celebrate a very special ONE year old!!!