Happy First Birthday!

On August 11, Eva Brooke turned one year old!  We started early with a little birthday singing.

I scheduled her one year portraits to be made on her birthday, mainly so I wouldn't have time to be emotional! :-)  Since we go to Winfield, Alabama, for pictures, we just happened to run into Mimi and Pop!  Mimi was a HUGE help in distracting, smile-cracking, and positioning.  "Picture day" is way more exhausting than my typical day on the job.  We met up for lunch together at a local favorite, Burgers and More.

Eva Brooke even got the grand tour of Pop's brand new breadtruck!  He gave us (actually, me) a honey bun (that might not have made it home) and a fresh loaf of bread.

After some shopping, we dropped Mimi back off at work in Hamilton.

Eva Brooke has a fascination with clocks, and she really was a fan of the one in Mimi's office.

Later that evening, we pulled out that top layer of the birthday cake (good idea, Angie) and celebrated a little more.

Eva Brooke definitely remembered that cake, and she was oh-so-excited!

Eva Brooke had picked out an owl backpack while out shopping, and of course, Mimi bought it for her!  She likes to carry it around, put the strap on her arm and say "bye-bye," and can even say "who who."

Who put those toys back in that basket!  She flings them out over each shoulder.  She has thoroughly enjoyed the birthday selection of toys (thanks again, everyone)!

It had been a long, fun day, and we were ready for night-night.  Mommy and Daddy sure do love you, sweet birthday girl!

Eva Brooke's FIRST Birthday Party

We had Eva Brooke's first birthday party August 6 at our house.  As bad as I hated to "rush" her to being any older, it worked better to have it on the weekend before her actual birthday (the 11th).  Eva Brooke was thrilled to have to have all her favorite people at her house!

A big, BIG thanks to Angie, who abandoned her children (no, not really), endured a errand-running monsoon, worked tirelessly helping me decorate, let me borrow her vehicle (when I couldn't get mine out of the garage due to power outage), and babysat (and changed a dirty diaper) while I was out.  Oh, and she was also the photographer.  I am so very proud of how it all turned out!  Thanks, Angie, so much for your help.

The invitation

Outside, before balloons

We are so glad most of the family was able to come and celebrate.  Pictured are Pop, Mommaw Brown, and my great-aunt Bobbie.

My awesome, crazy sis Beth and me

Pop and Dusty (Beth's boyfriend)

Angie, Hunter, Momma Lyn, and EB girl

Brad, Emily, Andrew, and Daddy Don

My "Grandmother" Fleeta and Andrew's "Mommaw Brown"

Andrew's Aunt Deb and Uncle Syd

The Crosswhite family

Hunter was loving playing with Cotton!

Andrew's Uncle Dwain and Aunt Diane

Mimi made sure Eva Brooke's tummy was full!

We cannot believe we are the parents of a 1-year-old!  We are so thankful for our healthy and happy baby girl.

She's not so sure about that candle (and that is why we are holding her hands!)

That first taste was GOOD!

I loved this shot of everyone looking at Eva Brooke

She's got a sweet tooth like her Mama, but prefers icing only like her Daddy!

Cotton took care of clean up!

I remember saying, "so when do we take it away from her?"  She just kept eating and eating.

Now for the cleaning up part, which was amazingly not that bad!

Washing off in the sink...

Re-wardrobing...

And we're back!  Cake time for everyone else!

And look who we found sneaking Eva Brooke more cake!

Eva Brooke's gorgeous jumper is a custom-piece handmade by the super-talented Momma Lyn.  Mimi put the neat cupcake on and also made the monogrammed banner in the background.  Did I mention how awesome these grandmothers are?!?

EB has just loved having so many new toys

One sugar-filled, sweet, happy girl!

Emily teaching Hunter and Eva Brooke how to use the party blowers :-)

Thanks again to all who came to make a little girl's day so special!  We love all of you!