Clarky turns one

Well, folks, my baby has turned one. Don't detect much excitement? :)

Well, I am. I'm really thankful that I have a sweet boy healthy and happy after a year of precious moments. I just get a little sentimental thinking that our first year together has passed. But, as we all know, the show must go on!

We celebrated Clark's birthday with a red, white, and blue party. It was mostly just family with a few of "Clark's friends" and their families there to celebrate and cookout with us. My invitation pictures got out of order, but here's the back:

Here's the front:
The birthday boy at his party!

The rain let up (thank goodness!) just in time for us to go outside for hotdogs, but then quickly started again just after everyone left. phew!

The spread:

Thanks, Gigi, for making the cake!

Our best attempt at Clark's crew:

Drew, Liam, Griffin, C, Brooks, and Cullen

Cousins and Aunties (Are these two Mama's boys or what?)

Clark and Luke

We had some big kids (siblings) there so they got to make some homemade ice cream in coffee cans! (one of my old 1st grade activities) It was a little too hot and muggy to make just the perfect texture, but hey, they gobbled it up anyway!
AM, Sophie, Creighton, and Katie Mae

***You will notice that AM and Sophie have morphed into modern day princesses. Their original patriotic outfits did not last long. :)

After we finished lunch, it was time to sing to Bubba. Here he is clean and ready for action:

Happy Birthday to you...

A little unsure at first...

And then he dug in! (He didn't eat much of it, but I think that was because he'd just polished off a whole hotdog and a bushel of berries.) A bite from the queen

That's a wrap

When it was all said and done, he had a great party filled with lots of fun moments.

To round it out, we let Clarky open presents for the first time. He loved his puppy from Mimi and Gramps.

Gamma got him all set up with new PJ's.

Papa and Brooks

Gamma and Pepaw hit the jackpot with this rig:

"Yay! I finally have boy toys!", thought Clark.

One very thankful and blessed familia

Favors: a personalized bike tag and patriotic bike bell (sorry, didn't get a pic of that)

Thank you to all of you who helped us celebrate our sweet little boy. Hard to believe a year ago at this time we had a chunky newborn on our hands. I can honestly say this has been the fastest year of my life. Thank you, Lord, for my darling boy. There aren't enough hours in the day for me to snuggle him. Clark, I can't wAiT to see what you become, and I'm primed and ready for year TWO.

Baseball Boy

Little man Brooks turned one with a super cute baseball party. It was a beautiful day, and all of the details were so cute!

Aw...look at that little buddy

Clarky playing with Gigi

Sweet Caroline...Bubba, luckily you got your first haircut not TOO long after this shot. :)

Brooks man walkin

Being silly with Aunt Becca

I really don't think I could have a cuter nephew!!!!!! Don't you just want to squeeze him??

Proud parents J&J

AM enjoying her bball cake

Uncle Lukey with the BC combo

Brooksy, I cannot believe how quickly this year has flown and how much of a little doll you are. Aunt Katy cannot get enough kisses in when I see you! ;) I am so thankful that God gave me you as my nephew and that you and the Clarkster will be close cousins. I pray that this next year is as wonderful as your first one was and that you're showered with blessings!

p.s. I promise not to call you Brooksy when you're old enough to realize it's not cool.

Happy Birthday!