Collin's First Birthday!

It happened, I allowed Collin to turn one:) I hadn't planned much as we had decided on the day to celebrate only two weeks prior and my brain can't handle much to begin with these days. So, it was kind of a low-key event, I kept thinking of awesome things I could do but then just didn't have the time/energy to complete them. Bummer. Well, there is always next year, right?!

His birthday was officially Friday (the 21st) and we started the day with Kate singing Happy Birthday to him about three seconds after she woke up:) We had pancakes for breakfast as it is one of Collin's favorites and Kate wore a party hat for the occasion. We tried to clean the house a bit and make a grocery list. Dave was on call for the whole weekend, but I think he got home at a decent time. We had planned on going out for fish fry that night and drove (in two cars, never love that) to the golf course by us, but the place was closed! So we headed to Shipwreck Bay on the lake. It was so cold out. It is always a little funny to go to these places that we sometimes walk to in our swim suits and almost barefoot:) Brrr. 

We had a nice little birthday fish fry and then headed home to greet Mom and Dad and Andrew and Kylie when they arrived. Though all were tired, we stayed up late and played games, watched the Olympics, etc. A nice, relaxing time! 

Mom, Kylie and I had a lovely (long and ridiculous) trip to the grocery store and carwash Saturday morning while the guys watched the kids. We then got word that Plamann's couldn't come as Clara was sick. So, our party was a little smaller than originally planned, but that was alright. We had lunch, made some food and hung out. Snopek's arrived around 3 p.m. and we played for a bit before opening gifts. Dave struggled a little with how "helpful" Kate wanted to be....I was totally expecting it. They did great and (both!) received awesome gifts. More playing while supper was finished (white chicken chili and tomato basil parmesan soup) a special thank you to Dave and Mom for working so hard in the kitchen! 

Our kids love balloons:)

Ready to open gifts, Gma!

As I did on Tony's birthdays, Kate got some presents!

I'm one, Kylie!

Opening gifts

Eating boxes...

Playing with Nolan

Ready for some cake:)

Closest we came to having his hat on:)

He liked it!

And the plate...

My baby!

After supper, we watched Collin smash a piece of cake and then joined him in the sugar fun:) We timed that all just right and he was ready for bed, straight up to the bath and then to sleep. That night was a bit rough as Kate was having nightmares and crying and kicking, brought her into our bed and thus we didn't sleep. Dave got called in in the middle of the night and then since Kate was in our bed thrashing when he got home, I sent him to the couch. We had meant to get up and go out for breakfast Sunday morning, but we were all pretty tired! 

We played some more and then hit up the Buckhorn Cafe for lunch (pierogies!) and then Mom and I peeled off and went to Buckhorn State Park to cross country ski. I had wanted to take Mom somewhere with groomed trails and the Buckhorn is close to us, just across the lake. It was cold, but we are super tough:) so we went for it. After some fun skidding around on the ice and figuring out where to start, we had a beautiful ski together in the sunshine. Loved it. 

The view from Buckhorn across the lake to our beach - VERY windy here!

Awww..love you, Mom!

Mom taking on the snowdrift

Some of the awesome clothing and shoes he received

Some more of his gifts...thank you to everyone!

Blurry, but I love this little coy smile he has:)

Whoa, both kids looking at the camera and smiling! Jackpot!

Our happy little big guy

Collin had his 12 month well check yesterday and he now weighs just over 22 lbs and is 30.25 inches tall, he is still pretty tall and average weight. He is wearing 18 month clothing (maybe a few lingering 12 month?) is wearing a size 4 shoe and will not keep hat and mittens on:) 

He is a very happy boy with a great laugh and a very mischievous and coy nature sometimes! He seems to study people a bit more than Kate and is less of a "ham" than she was. In many ways, he shows us how easy Kate was when it comes to eating and sleeping (believe it or not!). He is great at the doctors office (a far cry from Kate - yay!) tolerates his car seat pretty well, LOVES his sister unless she is smothering him or picking him up and moving him. He already likes things with wheels, loud things, banging things together, destroying towers or whatever toys we have built up, likes to put his feet in the grass (seems like a long time ago!), is pretty fearless so far, loves his baby swing (on the playset outside), still looks like both of us (though I see my brothers in him very often:) and likes to roar!

The first year is so amazing with obvious growth and development, I definitely miss my little (not so little) newborn at times but love interacting with him at this age. Dave and I are both so excited for the next year - one to two is SO much fun, or at least it was with Kate. I love hearing the beginnings of his little voice and am looking forward to hearing what he has to say. More words, first steps, so much in store!

It was a really wonderful weekend. Thank you for making it special!! Oh, you know I took too many photos.... click here:)