Britta's First Birthday (Day and Party Pics)

Britta is ONE!  Wow!  A whole year with this sweet and happy little soul.  What a gift and blessing she has been in our family!  The smile on her face says it all.  

 The day began at one of Kari's soccer games.  (And just check out Kari in-goal...just thrilled at this point to be playing, eh??)  Britta played happily on a blanket in the shade.  The back of her little outfit is just too sweet--big bow and all!  It was a warm day so the light cotton fabric was perfect.

After naptime, it was time for the festivities to begin!  In keeping with the polka dot theme, we played a game of twister.  Daddy was a good sport and got in on the action and Britta really enjoyed getting down and playing too!

Dinner was served and Britta really liked the chicken and fruit!  (She is my best eater--in both variety and actual physical eating; very independent.)

Nom.Nom.Nom.

Grandpa Harvey may just be her favorite person ever.
Her face just lights up when she hears his jolly laugh enter the room!

After dinner, it was time for gifts!  Watching a one-year old enjoy their gifts is a gift in itself.  She honestly enjoyed every one of them!

Itsy-bitsy spider book

Tub of plastic zoo animals

Little play center

Little People's Farm (a big hit with all of the little girls)

A new copy of one of her favorites, "Pat the Bunny"

Ju Ju models her set up

Reading "Pat" with Grandma

 And then it was time for cake!  Would Britta be the "one" who breaks the cycle of not wanting to get into their cake??

 Hmmmm...does she dare??

 Yes!  She dares.

Nom.Nom.Nom.

The grand mess that I was hoping for?  No.  However, it was still the best showing by one of our babies!  Great job, Britta, and Happy Birthday!!!  We love you more than anything and are so thankful you're a part of our family!!

Britta's First Birthday (Decor and Food)

It was all about polka dots for Britta's first birthday!  Such a fun little party to do too!  Most of our decorations came from Hobby Lobby, Target, or Walmart.  The "Happy Birthday" banner was one that I had done for Kari on her first birthday.  The fabric on the table were just some big pieces that my mom had had and given to Emily to use--but I got to them first for a table cloth and runner!

 My mom made this beautiful banner of Britta's first year!  It now hangs in her room and Britta loves looking at it and pointing to pictures of herself.

 A few sweet baby pictures and flowers finish off the decorations.

Food was simple, but colorful!  The cake came from some local cake makers (some years I make cakes, some years I don't!)  My mom did the fruit kabobs--all of the colors of the rainbow!  And I made the chicken and veggie kabobs!  (They were really delicious too!)

Apple-picking 2015

This year we went apple picking at the Flynn's orchard with our friends, the McArthurs.  They recently moved to Omaha (for only a year *sniff sniff*), but what a fun family!  They have five kiddos--four girls and one little boy.  Their oldest is Em's age and the two girls are good friends.  Kari also has a buddy as well and their little boy is Ju Ju's age.

So, after piling as many people as possible into the gator (with the rest of us trailing on foot), we set to work picking lots and lots of apples!  We LOVE this tradition and are so grateful to Pat Flynn for continuing to open up her property for everyone.

"Look!  Apples!"

Pretty Emily, growing up so (too) fast!

My handsome fellas

My beautiful girls!

Check out Christian's funny face--he must've found a yucky apple!

Silly Kari

Big girl, Britta, starting to walk!

This photo may be the one (and only) picture of everyone looking at the camera and smiling.
If you have a big family, you know what an anomaly this really is.

I'm pretty sure at least part of Heaven looks just like the Flynn's property.

 More silly Kari.

 We're back and moving on to the cider-press!  The bees think cider-making is pretty great too and poor Christian got bitten or stung right on his ear!  Luckily, Pat had some baking soda and ice and that helped him to feel better.

 The kids all love this gigantic swing on the most perfect tree.  Christian went on it with the littles and Emily and Gracie took it to new heights!

What a fantastically-fun evening!!!