St. Louis Day Trip

We've been saying for almost a year now that we've been wanting to go to St. Louis to go eat at Cunetto's on the Hill, the Italian part of the city. So, we decided today would be a good day to go and celebrate a belated birthday dinner for Mommy. We slept in and then headed out. We ate lunch and then walked to a few markets. Then we went shopping for a new kitchen table. We've been looking for some time now, and today was our lucky day!! We found one, but he had to be ordered so Daddy will have to make another trip to pick it up! Then we stopped at Ted Drew's for some frozen custard. It was delicious!!

I didn't take any pictures today, because really I forgot I had brought the camera. The only pictures I have are of Alex in the car. He did amazing today!! About a mile from home he decided he'd had enough of the car, and I can't say I blame him! A great fun family day trip!!

Hanging Out at Nana & Papa's

Alex & Thomas both love playing with

Great Grandma Meehan's cane.

Thomas loves to ride the horsey!

Papa trying to teach Alex to crawl.

He says we don't work with him enough!!

Great Grandma Meehan trying to get Alex to ride the horse.

Trying to get a picture of the cousins. . .

FAIL!

Gabbi showing off her newly painted nails

compliments of Aunt Molly!

Alex riding his horse at home, it didn't last long.

He'll only ride it for about 30 seconds.

Sunday we headed to Roodhouse. Papa invited Great Grandma Meehan and Great Aunt Judy to come over for lunch, so we went too. Nana is on vacation with her best friend, Karen in Gulf Shores, AL. They say the beaches look so bad and are covered in oil from the BP oil spill.

Saturday Swimming

Today Daddy is gone, so it's just Mommy and Buggy!! He's gone to another bachelor party for his buddy, Paul, that he teaches with. We decided to take advantage of the hot weather and go to the pool. We went with Liz and Seth, since Aaron was with Daddy, to the Zara's house. The boys had a great time playing in the pool. Alex really enjoys being in the water. We swam for a about 2 1/2 hours and then the rain came pouring down!! It rained hard for over 2 hours straight!! Alex went home and took a nap the whole time it rained.

We spent the rest of the evening playing together. I can't describe to you how much he loves playing on his Toy Story ride. He scoot all over the place on it! He also loves to play a new game we've invited. When he starts sucking his fingers we tell him to get his fingers out of his mouth and we pull them out. He thinks it's so funny. He then starts putting both hands in his mouth just so we will take them out! A silly game I know, but he loves it. We played until the little man laid down on his bear signally he was ready for bed. We had a great day together!! I love you buddy!! I cherish every minute with you!!

Friday Night Fun!

Last night after getting home from work we hung out on the front porch because Alex loves watching the neighbor mow his grass. We took advantage of weather since it had cooled down with storm that was blowing from the 90 degree weather we have been having. So, Mommy and Daddy had a drink and of course Alex insisted on having one too!! It was a nice relaxing night!!

Happy Birthday Mommy!!!

Playing Peek-a-boo with Joe

Daddy, Alex, and Reese

Not quite ready for a girlfriend...

Today was Mommy's birthday, so that means it's time for another Daddy post. To celebrate her birthday, Mommy took a few hours off of work, and she and Buggs went to Joe and Debbie's house to swim. It was a little cold at first, but Alex soon got used to the water, and he had a great time swimming with Mommy, Debbie, and Reese. After I got done with my golf outing, I came over and swam, too.

We all had a great time swimming and playing for a few hours in the afternoon. Then, when Joe got home, he cooked us all dinner on the grill. It was a great birthday, and we had a lot of fun. When we got home, Bugga was tired and went to bed, so we didn't have time to have Momma blow out the candles on the cake that Nana made, but that's ok. We'll do that tomorrow night at dinner. Before we went to sleep, Mommy opened her present, a new iPod touch from Daddy and Bugga. She said it was too much money, but Alex and I both agree. She's worth it.

It's hard to believe that one year ago, we were sitting at home with a tiny, beautiful little newborn, and now he's already a year old! I can't imagine what the next year will bring, but I know it will be full of new and wonderful surprises. We love you, Mommy! Happy birthday!

Riding with Thomas!

These boys are going to love hanging out with each other as they grow older, but man they are going to fight over some toys!!

The Buggy Birthday Bash!!

Let's Get this Party Started!!!!

Clapping to the musical gift bag that played
'Celebrate Good Times'

We danced too!!
The bag is now part of our toy collection.

He was scared and cried at the disco spinning top
Great Grandma Furness got him, but then he liked it!!

Thanks to Uncle Trevor for taking pictures for us!!

Mom did you see these cool trucks
Uncle Trevor & Aunt Ashley bought me?

What's in the bag??

Alex didn't care about reading the cards!

His favorite toy from Great Uncle Marvin
& Great Aunt Sandy was a Space Vehicle.
He's so proud he can make it go by himself!!

A little overwhelmed I think!

He was a little unsure about the horse,
but he's getting used to it now.
Still trying to figure out where to keep this barn animal!!

The caterpillar cake Mommy made all by herself!!

and bug cupcakes too!!

Attempting to light the candle, but too windy!

He loved everyone singing Happy Birthday to him!

Digging in!!

He thought it was pretty good!!

Of course he got it in his hair!

Clapped several times!
He knew he was putting on a show!

Gabbi, Sophie, Abbie, Will, & Ashley
watching Alex eat his cake

Uncle Travis & Evalee

Jill & Maggie

Gwen & Ben
(and Mark in the background)

Thomas V & Thomas IV

Papa, Alex, & Nana
(We made fun of her for wearing a
scarf when it was so hot out!!)

Alex & Ben

Alex & Reese

There was a good chance of rain the day of Alex's party, so we set up in the garage. It was soooo hot, but we managed. It ended up not raining, so we slowly moved the party onto the driveway and into the front yard. We started off the party with some food: hamburgers, hot dogs, and brats, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, baked beans, chips and dip, and pretzel/jello dessert. It was all very delicious, however Alex was not interested in eating at all.

After dinner, we opened presents. Alex got some many wonderful things, and we are so thankful for everyone who came and brought him a gift. Although that wasn't the point of the party. It was to give celebrate the last (incredibly fast) year of having Alex in our life! He got a rocking horse, a wagon, a Toy Story space vehicle, sippy cups, plate sets, Noah and his animal friends, a firetruck, little trucks, a corn popper, clothes, money and savings bonds! Aunt Angie also made a very special Alphabet Book just for Alex.

After presents it was time to sing 'Happy Birthday' and dig into some cake. Alex may have not been interested in supper, but had his cake and ate it too!! Of course it was everywhere, and all the kids loved watching him. After eating and playing we headed straight upstairs to the bath tub. Then Mommy let Alex play in the driveway with his buddies before it was time for bed.

After bed, Mommy and Daddy and their friends stayed up quite a bit later to help celebrate Mommy's birthday!! We had a great time!! Hopefully the next year will be just as great as the 1st! Happy Birthday Alexander!! We Love You!!