Happy Birthday - Iowa State Style

Since it was Emery's birthday, we thought we would celebrate it with our fairly new family tradition.  We loaded up in the car and took a nap.

When we awoke, we were at Reiman Gardens!

Parker still likes the humingbird lego structure.

Aiden and Parker scared away some much bigger kids so they could work on building a habitat for sea animals.

I just enjoyed hanging out with Mom!

Aiden and Parker eventually moved on to the Lego building area and built a beautiful garden.

I don't know what Mom was thinking, why would I want to help mow the lawn?

Aiden had to make sure Parker didn't fall into the water.

I did let Mom put me down when it was time to check out the butterflies.

I really enjoyed them flying all around me.  They were particularly active today.

Mom hanging out with all of us monkeys!

What Iowa State style birthday wouldn't be complete without a trip to Hickory Park!  


I like it so much, that I'm blowing kisses!


Documenting my first ice cream birthday sundae from Hickory Park.  Why are they singing to me?  What a great birthday!  When do I get another one?

It's really hard being 1

Emery's First Birthday Photos

Birthday Breakfast

I like this birthday thing.  I get cupcakes....err....I mean muffins for breakfast!

Chinese Food

Yep, I love Chinese food as much as my brothers do!

Picture Ready

 
I've got new shoes and a new outfit.  I think I'm ready for my 1 year old pictures!

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Jester Park

We saw LOTS of elk this morning at Jester Park.

We met up with Liam to check out the elk.

We also hiked in the woods.

 
It was a long walk, but we all had so much fun just exploring outside.

We enjoyed playing in this big sand pile as much as the hike.

However, we LOVED playing in the water more than anything else.  We didn't care that it really wasn't that warm, or that we were SOAKING wet, it was just plain fun!

Jammies

Sporting my new glow in the dark dino jammies.  Thanks Aunt Emily and Uncle Mike!

Flag Football!

Yep, that's me running the bases at football practice.

Parker learning how to get the ball and run with it.

The team working on taking off each other flags, it's harder than you think for 3-5 year olds to accomplish this!


Practicing handing off the ball and running it.


Now, practicing a real play, minus the line backers and the opposing team.  These coaches are AWESOME!

Yep, I got it all figured out, Mom!

Dentist

It's been 6 months, the dentist says my teeth are looking good.  Parker also made it into the big chair today, just as long as Mommy held his hand and stayed very close to him.  I think he's starting to get the hang of this.

Outside!

You might ask what is keeping me so happy...

but then, you'd notice that my brothers are outside and I'm hoping to join them!

Emery's First Birthday Party

Since Holden and I have birthday's that are so close together, we decided to do a joint birthday party.

I tried to steal his presents, but his Grandma didn't seem to like that very much.

Mommy, Aiden, and Parker all helped me open my presents.

I loved these noise makers, and Mommy was very happy that I didn't know how to use them yet!

Here's the big cake! 

Here's my little cake!

It's yummy

Want to see me making a mess?

Uncle Mike tied some balls to the tree and they were a ton of fun to play with.

Yes, I do!  I do like that party hat!

Potato Salad

I'm trying to learn all the family secrets to make GG's special potato salad.  She even let me help dice the eggs!

Bandit

Slowly, but surely, I'm getting much better at petting Bandit.  Look at how close he lets me get!

First Hair Cut

With my birthday party right around the corner, Mom thought I should get my hair trimmed up.

Boy, I sure am handsome!  Can you tell that I really enjoyed my sucker?

Sleeping

It's much to warm to sleep UNDER my blankets!

Chili

Yum!  I love chili!

Rocking

Mommy is amazed at how well I can climb up into my rocking chair and sit.  I'm such a big boy!

Pumpkin Pancakes

These were the best pumpkin pancakes that I've ever had.  Do you know why?  Mommy helped me make them and let me add colors to mine.  We tried green, blue, and red. Yum!

Wedding

We had to sit through a wedding today, but it was okay since the reception was at the Waterloo Rotary Reserve.  We had plenty of space to run and climb trees.

 
Oh...and did we forget to mention that there were like 25 children under the age of 5 at the wedding, so there was also a bouncy house?

 
We all enjoyed the bouncy house!