Couldn't be better

This weekend has been great! Friday I took off early and we went to the airport to pick up Drake's mom and step dad. They were able to come down for Easton's party. We picked them up and they couldn't believe how big Easton had gotten since the last time they saw him. We went to the pier and grabbed some lunch before coming home and getting ready for Gallery Night. I'm glad Gallery night fell on the weekend they came, it is a nice time...walking around downtown with the streets blocked off, music playing, shops open, and enjoying the comfortable weather. It was a nice night.

Once Saturday was here, it was coming and going all morning to get everything ready for Easton's first birthday party! :) It went perfect, and most importantly, he had fun :) Sorry in advance for the 4,000 pictures to scroll through.

The table coming in, sign in and grab a stache. :)

The cute little garden area, it was hot...but not bad in the shade, and then felt awesome as the party went on and the sun started to set.

Props for photo booth fun







fans to keep cool! haha

Easton's month by month pictures. So bittersweet.



weeeee! Getting the party started.



Easton with his nanny and babcia.

Easton's great grandma and nanny :) Snack time!

I don't always surf the internet but when I do, eyebrows. ha!

Kyle and Rose

Pop and Nanny

my sweet birthday boy ♥

opening gifts from uncle Kyle

me and my boys

Paint your own frame. (To put your party picture in)

The Griffin Family

bounce house!

Pop and Easton. (In case you are wondering, my dad is wearing headphones so he could listen to football in one ear. Geez. We were laughing about how he looked like the security for the party)

mustache cupcakes!

Viv with her Easton fan haha





Just a bunch of dudes hanging out using glitter pens :)



Time for cake! He was not a fan at first



Hmmm let me give it another try

Yum!

Opening presents



he loves blowing the horn on this toy



something was obviously amazing at this moment :)







The Otts

The Lynch Family

Easton and his pals

The Orehosky crew

Justin, Tristan, and Carissa

It was such a great day with friends and family around to celebrate Easton.

Finally to wrap up our weekend, this morning we went to the beach and relaxed after a busy couple of days. We came home, napped, ordered pizza and watched football. :)

Such a fun weekend. :)

one.

Letters from mom and dad:

My sweet baby boy,

I cannot believe I am writing to you for your first birthday?! How on earth has it been 1 year? 1 year since your daddy held my hand and eased my fears of labor by reminding me we would meet you in a matter of minutes. 1 year since they wheeled me past the nursery to look at you and I was in shock that I had something to do with this amazing miracle. 1 year since I got to touch, kiss, and hold you for the first time...moments I had been dreaming of for so long. 1 year.

I imagine that this feeling I have deep in my chest as I write this to you is one that I will experience over and over again throughout your life. My heart will always hurt loving you. You won't understand what I mean until you have children of your own. The feeling is so indescribable. I never knew I could love something so much, and my love grows more and more for you everyday that we spend together.

This has been the best year of my life because of the memories you brought to it. I freak out at the thought of you growing up so fast, but at the same time it is so amazing to watch you learn and become a little boy. When I take pictures at weddings now and it is time for the mother-son dance, I have a hard time holding back tears behind my lens. I know it seems silly, but I can't help but think about me and you out there one day. Wondering who God has created to be your wife and what kind of man you will become. I know it is so far away, but I also know that the time to get from here to there will fly by.

You have made me a better person. Before I had you I would stress so much (ok I still stress some) but not over the silly little things anymore. When I get worried or think something is the end of the world, you put things in perspective for me. Whatever is wrong really doesn't matter in the scheme of things. You are what matters, your daddy is what matters...Our little family. ♥

This month has been a fun one. Now that you are walking, you are on the go all the time. Your favorite thing to do is to be outside, you really love to chase the birds at the pier. Your daddy and I love watching you so carefree and happy. I hope you will stay that way as you get older. Even with all of the negativity around you in this world, you are such a bright spot that God has blessed everyone with to brighten the day.

You are currently on a great schedule and are about the same height as last month, about 31'' I believe. You weigh 25 lbs and are wearing 18-24 month clothes. You love being outside and playing with your bouncy balls the most. Kicking, throwing, or just watching them go everywhere on the wood floor. You wave, give kisses, point out what you want, say a handful of words, and you love pointing out the fan and your belly button, and you will sign "please"

I'm so excited to see what this next year of your life holds for us. I hope you will look back one day and be thankful and proud of the way you were brought up. I know I will make plenty of mistakes along the way, but you will never doubt how much you are loved. Happy Birthday sweet baby. I love you.

Love, Mom

To my little big guy,

From the first moment I saw your face I knew I would do anything for you. It is so hard to believe it's already been a year since your mom and I received the biggest blessing of our lives. The joy in which you have brought to us has been immeasurable. I have enjoyed watching your grow and learn new things. I can still remember the way you used to look at us as a newborn or the first time you rolled over or when you started "army crawling", then went to crawling on your knees. The biggest milestone for me was when you took your first steps. Your mom and I were so proud and the excitement on your face was priceless. You love water. We have taken you to the beach several times and you love to sit by the shoreline while the waves crash in and hit your legs. No matter how difficult life can be, I know when I get home you will come over wanting me to pick you up. I can't put into words the joy that makes me feel. I just want you to know son that whatever you do in life, do it to your full potential. You are going to do great things. I love you more than life itself, buddy.

Love, dad

Our weekend

Our weekend was busy and fun. Friday night we went to the first football game of the season. Easton did so good, up way past his bedtime and just hanging out. When I passed by the student section some of my students spotted us and came down to see Easton. He is such a flirt and had all the girl's attention. :) Before we left we grabbed a picture with the Panther.

Last night "the gang" went to Trey and Danielle's to hang out and eat dinner. It was chaotic fun. :) I just had to laugh at the craziness...Kaylee got stung by a wasp, Dean fell in the rocks, Jonah attempted to ride the car that was at the top of the slide, dogs barking, Ronnie yelling over all the noise to Jenn in the kitchen. :) haha I love my friends and our get togethers!

Last night a front came through and it was GORGEOUS today! It felt like fall. I am hoping it feels this good next weekend for Easton's party. We spent the day celebrating Easton's birthday as a family since tomorrow we will be at work. We of course took him to the pier. He loves those dang birds.

Ok maybe I enjoy it too. :)



After we got lunch at a sub shop, we headed home and took a nap. Once Easton was up and at 'em again, we went to Pop and Nanny's house. Easton decided to play a quick 9 before the sun went down.

Putting for birdie.

After dinner we let him have a cupcake...a little practice before he does his smash cake at his party.
yum!

And we finished the weekend with my dorky tradition I want to do :)

This night one year ago I started having contractions before heading into the hospital a couple hours later. Crazy. Lots to do this week before the party and Drake's mom and Jeff get in town! Good night. xoxo

Thought Vomit Thursday

-Happy Thursday! It's been forever since I've done a Thought Vomit Thursday. Speaking of vomit, Easton had a pretty big throw up the other night when he choked on a piece of his food. If you know me, you know normally I would have a panic attack at the thought of throw up BUT it really is true about it being different with your child. I jumped right in and took care of Easton while getting throw up all over both of us. He choked because he had too much food in his mouth, he shovels it in, because let me tell you, I am a little crazy when it comes to cutting his food because I worry about him choking...they are the tiniest pieces known to man. Well, looks like that one worked out well. :)

-I am loving this school year so far! Love my new TV Production kids, first home football game is tomorrow night, pep rally, fall weather is so close I can taste it. (hopefully)

-Easton turns 1 Monday?! Geez la weez. We will be having a fun filled family day Sunday with him, and then his party is next Saturday. I am so excited! I hope it goes well...1st timer here with the party planning stuff.

-Drake is getting another tattoo right now. :) He is turning his 1/2 sleeve into a full sleeve. He was so excited about going to get it started.

-That's all for now...I'm going to go cuddle with the sweetest baby ever ♥

Jacksonville

We headed out Friday after work to stay with Matt and Kathryn for the weekend. It was a quick visit, but a lot of fun. They live in "the sticks" as she calls it. :) I felt like I could have been in a country music video on Saturday. Horses, dirt roads, and kids playing in the dirt with diapers on. We picked Kylie up and got to spend the day with her, she is going to start doing her horse riding lessons with Kathryn now that she is there for the school year.



Getting ready to go riding

The 2 sweetest kids ever! Love them SO much!



cousins!!

♥

Easton got to ride on a horse for the 1st time.

He was loving it. :)

Kylie rode, and rode, and rode. :) Even when she stopped to take a break she would ask to confirm that she would get to ride again.

She "loped" for the first time, having Leo run faster than the normal trotting speed she was used to and learned how to make him walk backwards. She was beaming when she got off and was excited to call my her daddy, pop, and nanny to tell them she did it.

That night before taking her back we took her to the local rodeo they had going on. I'm so glad I got to spend the day with her!

Yesterday we had a family day at the zoo. Blake and Easton ready to go!

Bayleigh

looking at the stingrays with daddy



matching toms :)

love.

Easton's favorite part of the zoo had absolutely nothing to do with the animals, and I don't blame him, it was HOT!

He literally walked back and forth under this one waterfall 400 times.

After cooling off and snow cones, it was off to the butterfly house

and then we finished with a train ride back to the front before heading back. They were pooped, but still cute! :)

We got showered, packed up and drove home last night. Happy Labor Day weekend!