Happy 1st Birthday, Lenéa!!

We can hardly believe that Lenéa is one. Time surely flies by. Last year were in the hospital; this year we were in the comfort of our own home with friends and family (and NO labor pains!). Hmm... last year was great, but this year was better. We enjoy Lenéa's company a whole bunch-- and I think she enjoys ours too! Definite plus!

(I couldn't resist sneaking in a picture!)

Here's all that happened today...

Lenéa woke up in a great mood (like always). She took a bath, picked at her food (I bribed her to eat her oatmeal with occasional bites of my bagel), crawled around, looked out the window, off and on had her diaper changed, and hung out with Gma Suzy. SHE LOVES SPENDING TIME WITH GRANDPARENTS!! We learned that only "dull" and "usual" people, such as myself or Paul, can put Lenéa down for her nap. She wanted to go "bye-bye" with grandma (or just play and give her kisses), and it was too much of a heartbreak to her to be put down by gma. That form of goodbye, I guess, just isn't acceptable! And she let us know. :)

Gma Suzy helped a bunch today by cleaning and watching Lenéa (she'll kill me for bragging... oops!!) while Paul and I were busy setting up for her party.


Now for the pictures...

Paul readying Lenéa's gift...

The dogs helped, too!

Trying to move it into the house--thanks Lloyd for your help! And the mess that followed the move...

It's in the house--even now as I type!

Making tissue paper pom-poms and other decorations the night before

Gift area and pictures of our angel (complete with Lenéa's first piece of artwork!)

And for Lenéa's birthday cake...
Going along with the "enchanted forest" theme, I made her a mushroom cake. (I made 2 cakes-- one full size for everyone to get a slice of, and one miniature mushroom cake for Lenéa to dive into)

Now with both our lil' creations together...

AND NOW... on to more important things (like A LOT MORE IMPORTANT!) Lenéa!!

She wasn't sure what to think at first!!-- she just stared at it. Once I took the top off she kind of became more interested. (If it looks like it's some nasty tasting jello fruit cake... don't worry, it wasn't. I have an electric green food coloring and used strawberries to top it off!). Quite yummy, if I do say so myself!

She got the hang of it... and then came the sugar high... and the low.

The clean up!

We are a happy family!