Sara's Bridal Shower

Me, my mom and my little sister

Saturday we celebrated my sister Sara's upcoming wedding with a beautiful bridal shower at her future in-laws' home. It was a perfect day, with an amazing setting, and filled with great friends and family, not to mention nummy treats, too. So many special guests attended. It was just a wonderful day!

Tent by the pool.

The little girls took a break in the pool while we set things up earlier in the day.

About party time, the mosquitos began to arrive, univited.

Deanne and her girls

Sara and her classmates...all have been friends since elementary school!

Mom and darling Sue

Oh, those nummy cupcakes!

Ashtyn helping with gifts.

Abree playing hide and seek with a glass of lemonade in hand...caught her!

Guests watching the opening of gifts.

Sweet little Payton

Tamara, Joleen and Sue

Sara and Jill

Deanne enjoyingher grandson...we hope there will be more of those to come very soon!

So many special guests!

Deanne, Paula, Tamara and Sara

Ashtyn was begging to get into the pool, but mom wouldn't let her. Not everyone who wanted to swim had a suit, but Ash was willing to go in with the dress and give her suit to someone else!

Enjoying the beautiful evening, after all the guests had left and everything was cleaned up.

Feeding the fish after the party

Simply, a special day!

Gage is one!

Yes, Gage is officially one! Well, actually I'm a little behind in getting this post done ... he is actually 13 months old today. We had a fantastic birthday party to celebrate his first birthday on July 5. We had tons of family and friends present to help honor the big event. The weather was beautiful, lots of marvelous food and, of course, amazing company.

Getting ready to dive into his own cake!

His birthday theme was a farm. He didn't care much for the bbq burgers and hot dogs, but loved the birthday cake, as you can see! He just kept eating...but once he hit "full" he let us know. He loved all his gifts, but once he spotted the LeapFrog Ride-on Train engine...nothing else could hold his interest.

Couldn't have a party without cupcakes!

It was a perfect day filled with many great moments and wonder. Gage had two great-grandparents present, his four grandparents, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

The birthday boy's cake

Since turning one, Gage has changed so much. He truly has turned into a toddler. On his birthday he was taking 3-5 steps at a time, within a week he was walking throughout the house without hesitation...now he is running trying to catch up with his siblings. His vocabulary has become so full...mom, dad, ashtyn, gunnar, "papa" for grandpa, "mahma" for grandma, most importantly "mo" for more, baba...and so much more. He is such a happy little guy who loves to giggle and is constantly on the run. He is now a climber who fears nothing... a little scary, we really have to watch him. Have caught him trying to climb out of the crib and climb up the fridge, literally dangling but hanging on! He is such a joy in our lives, as busy as he keeps us, we wouldn't have it any other way. I know his dad can't wait for harvest to be over so he can see more of him and his growth each day. I love that he still likes to cuddle with mom before he goes to sleep at night and that he gets so excited each morning when I get him out of his crib, he just lights up and is so happy!

His first horse and learning how to ride it, being taught by who other than Shane.


Hanging out with great-grandpa Ed.

The cool engine of fun!

The big boy is full and happy!