Little Icing-Covered Fingers...

So today was the big day. Ben's birthday party was at our church in the Fireside Room (sort of like a clubhouse). We decided on a western theme, which basically meant we had to spend very little money on decorations...always a plus. 

We were really pleased with the turnout...you never know who will actually come to one of these things...we had:

Jenny and Todd, Jenny's parents and sister, Todd's parents, brother, and 

niece, Jenny's Aunt and Grandmother, Todd's cousin Ashley and her son, 

Harrison (you've read about him...he and Ben were born within hours

of each other...) Lauren and Spencer (wife and son of our youth minister), 

Mark and Vicki (our new Ed./Admin. minister and his wife), Jenny's best friends 

Suzanne and Hillary, Hillary's husband Josh, and of course, the Birthday Boy himself...

This was the room when you walked in. We had a couple of murals painted on the walls, cowboy boots, horseshoes, rope, hats, and other western items scattered around. 

I painted the cactus mural for above the gift table. These are just the presents from Jenny and me, my parents, and Jenny's parents. He racked up by the end of the morning. 

Jenny's mom labored for hours making him a rocking horse cake. I didn't manage to grab the camera in time, but when he got near this cake he pulled one of the wheels off (an iced cake donut) and went to town. 

He's just about to get into his cupcake. Icing on his face is from the wheel incident above. 

And what fun is a cupcake unless you drag it through your hair?

A few moments later, with a clean face, riding his rocking horse for the first time. 

The wagon with legos was a big hit. 

Enjoying several things at once...curly ribbon, Wonderpets Beanie Babies, and Hillary and Josh's gift...a pull-along frog. 

With Josh's help, Ben scored his first basket on his first birthday. 

Ben with his one-and-only cousin, Abby Lynn

After the party was over, the mess was cleaned, and Benjamin had napped for a while, we drove out to Wye mountain. I've never heard of this place before. Basically it's this little community way out Highway 10, where a Methodist church hosts this hillside of jonquils. It's free to the public (though they accept donations), and a fun getaway on a spring Saturday. It was really overcast when we went, but we got a few good images anyway. 

He's not too thrilled by this point in the day...the car ride out was 

long and he would rather be at home playing with his new presents...

Slightly intrigued, or maybe he's just humoring us. 

It's hard to believe he's turning one. Some of our good friends in Dallas just had a baby last night, and it's weird that we were in the same boat a year ago. He has changed so much, but he is so much fun to be around and to watch. 

Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can get out this week and take his real 1 Year portraits. Stay tuned...