Papaw's Visit

My dad came to visit over the long weekend. Unfortunately, I was absolutely horrible about taking pictures while he was here. We had a great visit though! On Thursday he just came along for the ride with our busy day. We took Alia to school and Max to Gymboree in the morning and then he watched the kids until Jason got home, while I went to teach in the evening. On Friday, we hung out and went swimming in his hotel pool. Saturday we had breakfast at Panera (Alia's favorite) and had our first session of swim lessons for the fall! We spent the rest of the weekend hanging out at home, fighting off colds and watching football. On Monday, Dad babysat Max, while Alia and I went to a doctor appointment. We managed to squeeze in a quick swim at the hotel that morning too. That afternoon Papaw came with us to watch Alia at dance class :-)

Here is a picture of Alia wearing her "reading glasses" just like Papaw!

Max has decided that he has a future in either modeling or greeting. He did both and really enjoyed it.

Max also discovered the giant bears outside the Build A Bear store. He was obsessed and completely flipped out. I thought we'd never get him out of there!

Papaw and Alia getting ready to watch the Colts game!

Max's Birthday - Video

Birthday Party - Part 2

Max thought this "big kid table" was about the coolest thing in the world. He loved sitting in the chairs and playing at the table before the party started.

Birthday boy thoroughly enjoying his cupcake!

Big kids enjoying their cupcakes too

Alia and her friend Kaylee having lunch

Cutest little one year old EVER!

Cutest big sister ever .... who also LOVES cupcakes!

Max getting some help from Daddy and Carson opening up his birthday presents

Max and Alia checking out this truck ... he liked it so much ...

that he insisted Daddy take it out of the box IMMEDIATELY!

Birthday Party - Part 1

Here are some pictures of the decorations and such. All of the cute little personalized things were made by my friend Jamie (Pitter Patter Parties). I thought everything turned out super cute!

Kids table, with cute little placemats. Photo banner with monthly pictures of Mr. Max

TREATS!

Jamie made these cute little baggie toppers for the animal crackers :-)

Lunch bags for the little guys

The Birthday Monkey's throne!

Happy Birthday Max!

We had a great time celebrating Max's birthday. It was kind of a weekend-long thing. On Saturday morning, we opened up cards and packages from family, then we went to Munchkin Playland. That evening we let Max have his very first taste of sugar ... cupcakes! The frosting was a big hit! The actual cupcake part received mixed reviews.

Opening and closing (over and over again) his barking card from Grandpa Max

posing for a picture at MP

Playing peek-a-boo with Mommy and Daddy

Cracking himself up ... he thinks he's hysterical!

Not quite sure what the candle business is all about and didn't really have an interest in trying to blow it out. Mommy had to do it.

Hmmmm, let's give this blue stuff a try!

Yep! It's yummy!

12 Months Old

Can you believe it? Max is one year old already! He had his 12 month check up last week (but hasn't had his shots yet). He is a very happy and healthy little guy. He is 32 inches tall (97%) and 22 pounds, 10 ounces (47%). I don't remember his exact stats, but he has a BIG head in the 97%(ish) range.

Max is officially a walker now. He walks with his arms up in the air and a big smile on his face (I'll post video soon.) He is constantly watching us and trying to copy all of the things that we do. He loves to help clean up, brush off the crumbs after a meal, help change his diaper, and so much more. His new favorite sign is "please". He uses it to mean "more", "I'm hungry" and "I want". Here are a few pics from our 12 month photo shoot :-)

Trying to get Max to put up one finger to say "I'm ONE"

My little cutie patootie :-)

Ok, I just thought this picture was hysterical! I couldn't resist posting it!

And this picture is pretty much just Max in a nutshell :-)

Princess Alia Snow White

Alia has taken an interest in playing dress up! I was waiting for it and now its finally happened. We spend most play times in our Snow White dress and the other day she even had to go for a walk while wearing it. Hysterical and adorable! I'm not complaining!

Alia 's First Dance Class

I was an absolute nervous wreck about how this experience would go. Alia has a tendency to be painfully and brutally shy, but she loves to dance. So, I didn't know if she was going to love it or if I was going to traumatize her forever! She was so excited, she didn't nap. We had to leave early, because there was no containing her so I just drove around the block a few times. We were the first ones there and she was singing and running and jumping around the waiting area before class. VERY EXCITED! She did a great job in class too. She listened to her teacher and gave everything her best try! She is the youngest one in her class and I was SO SO SO proud!

Yay, Grammy is Here!

Art Projects

Coloring her princess mask that we got for $1 at Joann ... it saved us/entertained us when there was a long check out line and a cranky Max! Well worth the $1!!

Big boy trying to learn how to use crayons without eating them ... very challenging!

Painting with water ... a safer option!

Big girl making beautiful paintings with watercolors.

Showing off the completed princess mask!

Grandpa's Visit

Grandpa Max came to visit us September 1-6. We had a lot of fun! We went to Munchkin Playland, played outside, the grown-ups went out to dinner and the "boys" took the "kids" for a picnic at the Rose Gardens.

Being silly on the couch. Little Max loves to climb ... there's a little picnic table right behind the couch in this picture and Jason is ducked down behind it spotting him :-)

Grandpa brought a birthday present for Max. He wasn't really sure how to approach the whole situation ...

But, then he thought that the laughing Snoopy was pretty darn hysterical!

Alia and Grandpa enjoying a picnic lunch.

Little Max likes picnics too!

Posing for pictures with the beautiful roses