CELEBRATION!!

I'm not sure that every 1 year old gets to celebrate their 1st birthday for 4 days. We started on Thursday, the 21st (because that was her REAL birthday) and continued throughout the weekend. We learned that "Happy Birthday" is definitely one of Stella's favorite songs. She would grin ear to ear and dance along whenever anyone sang it to her. It was a birthday to be remembered. Grandma and Grandpa Freeman arrived on Wednesday for a nice, long visit. We had a birthday lunch out with Stella on her big day. That night we had our baby-sitter take Stella for the evening while we went out to celebrate our first year as parents and grand-parents (respectively).
**Speaking of being a parent for a year now...Nicholas once again went above and beyond his "husbandly duties" and had a dozen GORGEOUS roses sent to me on Stella's birthday in celebration of the anniversary of my being a mom for a year! It was a fantastic surprise!!**
Saturday was the big party, attended by 16 family members from all over the state of Ohio, plus my parents in town from Minnesota. Nick contributed in an extra fun way by picking up a pink feather boa, balloons and a blinking tiara to decorate for the big event.
I'm still in awe of how many wonderful people in our life celebrated Stella's 1st year with us. We had phone calls and emails and cards and packages from friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even other babies about to be year old! We are SO blessed to have such dear people in our lives.
Now that the dust has settled for the big bash on Saturday, we are cleaning up, organizing toys, writing thank-yous and sorting through photos of the fun times! Here are just a few:

Getting the hang of opening presents

Playing with Grandma!

Getting ready for the party!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

The cake was a hit!

PRESENTS!!!

Enjoying the party

This one's for you, Grandpa Larry!

We are still in a bit of disbelief that we have a one year old child. But, I can say for sure that this is definitely the best year we've ever known.
Thank you Stella for the great joy you bring to our life. You are a blessing to us!


***an added celebration...we learned that our friends, Adam, Katie and Avery welcomed a baby boy, Brady Allen into their family this morning! CONGRATULATIONS! We can't wait to meet him!!