Just a swinging!

She loves it...

and so do we!

Grandma and Grandpa Taylor Visit!

Grandma and Grandpa Taylor stayed for a few extra days after Caroline's birthday and baptism.  We had a great time visiting with them.  Caroline is getting to be such a ham.  She loved the extra attention that she got while they were here. 

Why wouldn't she love them?  She got to pick their bugers...

read all her new favorite books...

and eat the best of what was on Grandma's plate!  Hello chocolate pound cake!

She was definitely feeling the love!

I love how she goes back for another kiss...like she can't get enough.  Too bad Mark and I haven't gotten a kiss since they left. I think she gave them all out!

I'm so glad that we were all able to spend a few days together!  I'm hoping for another visit soon or at least some more time on skype! 

Caroline says, "Come back soon Grandma and Grandpa!  We miss you!"

Baptism

Since several family members were in town for Caroline's 1st birthday we decided it would be a great time to have her baptized.  It was a really special day!  

When I was in school, we learned a lot about the meaning of baptism and the importance of baptism as one of the sacraments the United Methodist Church celebrates.  I felt that I had a good grasp of what we as parents were committing to do.  However, walking down the aisle at church and standing in front of the entire congregation, family and friends I became I a little more emotional that I had anticiapted.  It was such a neat experience to acknowledge what God has done in our lives and how we hope to live out God's love in our family so that Caroline knows Him too! 

One of the other reasons the day was so special was because Kesley was baptized too!  We've been so blessed to be able to do so many things together with our girls!

Dianne Parrish baptized Caroline for us.  The funny part was that you could tell she was not expecting to be baptizing one year olds.  Most of the time, little babies are baptized but we just couldn't seem to get our act together any earlier!  She made a comment about how big they were!  :-)

Another fun note about the day is that Caroline wore a dress that I made for her.  As usual Mark stood faithfully by my side and helped me read through all the directions.  One day those sewing patterns will make sense!  She looked precious in her dress.  I'm so glad that we made it and a big thanks to Mom for sewing on a couple buttons at the last minute!

Party Time

After all the time we spent preparing for Caroline's birthday party, it finally happened.  We had such a sweet time celebrating with family and a couple close friends.  

We got all of our decorations made.  I may have had a few too many things hanging from the ceiling!  :-)

Of course, Caroline had to have a new outfit for her party! 

We had dinner together and decided to separate the boys and girls.  I kind of liked it that way and I think the boys did too.  :-)

After dinner, it was time to open presents but not before Caroline decided to show off by walking with her push toy.  She just started doing it the night before.
 

Aunt Lindsay gave Caroline this sweet little crown for her birthday.  I think it fits the princess just right!  I remember telling Mom before she was born that I would not have a "princess" daughter but it looks like I have succumb to the cheese. 

Mark and I enjoyed the presents just as much as Caroline!

Afterwards the kids enjoyed the new toys!

After presents, it was time for cupcakes and ice cream.  Yum!

A little stroll around the house was needed to burn off a few calories from the ice cream and cake.

We had a great time celebrating Caroline's 1st birthday and look forward to celebrating many more!

Caroline's 1st Birthday Present

Caroline's birthday present took a little bit of time to get together.  I have to admit that I didn't have much part in her birthday present this year.  Mark (and two loving Grandpa's) did all the work.  I just gave my support and my opinion a couple of times!  They worked really hard in the heat for a couple of days and she now has a new swing set!

Mark was the Swing Boss, just like I was the Cake Boss!

                                     

Swinging at last!

It's hard to believe but we have yet to get Caroline outside to enjoy her new swing set.  I'm sure pictures of that will come shortly!  Mark did such a great job dreaming up the swing set plan for months.  It's great to finally see that it came together!  A big humongous thank you to the grandpas for helping out!!

Preparing...

I can't believe it's been over a week since I've posted anything but we've been preparing for the very important 1st birthday party at our home.  We've had a few helpers along the way!

William's mom, Noelle came over and helped me make some butterflies for the top of the cake.  As usual I didn't get any pictures of the adults, just the kids.

William helped a little, he was a good taste tester!  Noelle and I are working on an arranged marriage for these two little friends.  Don't you see the sparkle in their eyes?  :-)

Both mom's came in town to celebrate!  I so enjoyed the day getting everything together with them.  It was so fun to spend time with both of them.  I wish we all lived closer.  Although they may not want to after all the work I made them do today.  They said I was the "Cake Boss" and they were my workers. 

We've had a great time getting ready for Caroline's little party.  There are lots more pictures to come!

Happy Birthday Caroline!

I'm really not great with words.  I read so many blogs about families and they all seem to be able to put into words the love that they have for their spouse and children.  I just don't think I could even come close! 

Of course, I will try!  This past year with Caroline has been sweeter than I could have ever dreamed possible!  There are more smiles in my life and the smiles are bigger.  There is more laughter and it's heartier!  Sometimes I just look at her and think my heart might explode with love. 

She is such a sweet little girl!  She is so easy going and has the best smile and giggle.  We are also learning that she is quite stubborn!  She is not walking quite yet but is cruising all over the place.  She will eat all kinds of foods but her favorites change from one day to the next.  She loves to be entertained by her Daddy.  Her favorite games are peek-a-boo and chase/got ya!  She is a great snuggler and her parents both love it!  

Tonight to celebrate her birthday we went to Bahama Breeze.  Mark and I both like this restaurant and we went to eat there last year on July 14th.  After dinner we came home and realized I was going into labor.  It was sweet to sit together as a family tonight and think back to a year ago.  It's hard to believe how different our family is now!  I could have never imagined what it would be like and I could never have dreamed it would be this good.  

After dinner we came home to this goodness!  Our sweet neighbors brought us over a present for Caroline and some mini cupcakes! 

Our neighbor's husband's nickname is "Moose." :-)

I didn't intend to post these pictures since we are doing the "real" birthday celebration in a couple of weekends but they were too cute!  Don't worry family, we will do it all again.  :-)

"More, more, more!"  She definitely takes after her parents!

A day with twin cousins

Of course, they're not really twins. I know this because today is Caroline's birthday!! And it's not Kelsey's. Chasing around two little ones that are only a month and a day apart sure feels like having twins! Here are just a few pictures to document our day...

7:03 A little milk gets the morning started off right.

7:06 "Now you listen to me. You better behave today.This is my house and it's my birthday!"

7:11 Daddy (Uncle Mark) is always lots of fun!

 
7:45 Mama eats a little breakfast, while the babies beg.

7:52 They found the cabinet they can play in.

8:00 Breakfast for the two munchkins. Two bites for you, now two bites for you.

8:03 Caroline listening to Grandma and Grandpa Taylor sing Happy Birthday to her on speakerphone.  A great tradition in the Taylor household!

8:45 Getting ready for a little bike ride around the neighborhood.

 8:57 The bike ride didn't go so well.  Apparently there was not enough room for the elbows.

9:05 All is well again.  Just a little play time.

9:07 Learning to share.  The pacifier went from Caroline's mouth, to Kelsey's and back to Caroline's.  Yum germs!

9:47 "I leave no cabinet untouched."  :-)

 10:30 Nap time!! Yipee!

12:00 Lunch time.

1:05 Kelsey's new favorite toy....her car seat.  Caroline, "Aunt Lindsay where are you?  Come wish me a happy birthday!"

1:18 A little more play time.

1:28 Sweet twin cousins!

I had a great day with these girls.  The are both sweet as can be and getting to be really fun.  I love to hold a baby or two but babysitting multiple babies for hours and hours is not my favorite gig.  However, these little ones aren't babies anymore!  They are precious little girls.  It's so fun to watch them learn and explore the world.  I look forward to many more days of watching them play together!