Celebrating the first year!

I recently read that the 1st birthday is not really for the baby... it's for mama and dada... that they made it through the first year! I liked the idea of that, but I do hope that one day Lila will look back at these pictures of her 1st birthday and realize how special she is and what an incredible blessing she is to our lives. She was well worth the wait!

It blessed our hearts more than words can say that so much family came out to celebrate with us! It was only the 2nd time that our two families have been together, and I hope that there are many more opportunities for us to share our time with one another. Michael's parents, Grandpa Rob & Grandma Kellie came with his "lil" sister... Aunt Andi!  Uncle Samuel, Aunt Sylvia, and cousins Caleb and Katherine made the drive from Illinois too! My parents, Papa and Loulou came from Florida... they brough Lila's cousins: Levi, Cooper and Micah. Then Aunt Melissa and Tia flew in the day of her Birthday! Wished all of our family could have been there, but we surely did have a WONDERFUL time!

p.s. I really enjoyed planning, creating, and making almost all the party decorations myself. (I really think I could do that full time it was so much fun!)

Here are some favorite pictures from her First Birthday weekend:

 The Night Before...

Tried really hard to not let Lila fall asleep tonight! ... afterall if she never falls asleep she won't grow up overnight & be a ONE YEAR OLD!!!!!!

 Sweet Moments

Our Birthday Girl on her 1st Birthday!

 

The Strackeljahns arrive from Illinois to celebrate with us!

 Fun at the Park with the family!

 Weeee!

 

...to be continued...