James is 1!!!!!

Wow! The last year has flown by and lasted forever at the same time. I can't believe James is already a year and my little baby is gone. I love that I have a little boy who loves to walk around and discover everything and has a new interest in cuddling and hugs. He loves to snuggle with stuffed animals and even mommy sometimes. He has also started to walk across the room to me just to give me a hug! I am loving it!!!! The past year has also seemed like forever because life before James seems like forever ago and I can't imagine life without him now! Here are some cute pictures from his big birthday weekend!

James had a birthday party shirt but not a birthday shirt so I figured it was best to wear an "I love Mom!" shirt on his first birthday!!!!

Auntie Michellie came over before work with a birthday balloon for James and flowers for Mommy! Such a sweetie!!! Thank you!!!

Daddy got James a new book and some Mr. Bubbles for his birthday! Josh was so excited for James to have his first bubble bath!!!
James thought the bubbles were pretty cool at first....

Until they wouldn't come off his hands...

Then he just wanted OUT!!! So it was a quick bath with a quick exit! We'll try again in a few weeks!

The day after James's first birthday, both Josh and I took the day off work to take James to the Sacramento Zoo. We arrived right at 9am when they opened and practically had the entire zoo to ourselves which was wonderful... until the school field trips showed up. We had seen most of the zoo by then so we left shortly after it became very crowded.

James and Mommy with the flamingos.

James and Daddy looking at the big mammals. I don't remember which cage this is but it could have been the lion, tiger, hyena, or snow leopard probably.

James and Daddy walking around while we still had the place to ourselves.

And James taking off...

James looking at the giraffes. Though I do think the fence was more entertaining to James than the giraffes.

James looking at a variety of birds.

James and Daddy reading a sign. Grandpa Craig would be very impressed!

Daddy did have to take a few quick work calls but everyone made them short when they knew we were at the zoo!!!

James LOVED this little tractor!!!!




James and Daddy looking at some reptiles.

When we got home we all spent a few hours outside cleaning up the yard for James's first birthday party on Saturday!

The dessert display at James's birthday party!

Josh and I made some cute cupcakes to go with the penguin theme. (Those are little gummy fish on the white cupcakes.)

Grandpa Craig, Eni, James, and I having a little picnic lunch on the backyard grass during the party.

Tracy, Henry, Isa (hiding), and Colleen enjoying lunch too!

The grill masters... Gary, Josh, and Chris.

James enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. He was EXHAUSTED after his party but still being a great little boy!

James and Mommy!
Andrea (with baby Gracie), Grammie Connie, Josh, James, and Great Grandma Jost chatting.

James and Daddy!

Mommy and James reading a birthday card. This was when things were still in order...

Mommy helping James open some presents...

A favorite present... puffs!!! James is like every other man I know, the fastest way to his heart is through his stomach!!!

James got a fun outdoor truck with sand toys!!!

This yellow ball was another favorite!!! We had to hide it for James to open anymore presents. James was also getting tired of opening presents at this point so I asked our friend, Eni, to help open presents. James was not so keen on this idea...
It was actually more of an upset cry than an anger but he still had quite the face!

All better now!!!!

Opening a small pillow pal which James is sleeping with now.

Time for cake!!!! Mommy made a white cake with applesauce (instead of oil), then topped with Cool Whip and blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Yummy!

A picture with Mommy and Daddy!

A picture with his aunties!!!

With Auntie Michellie and Uncle Gary!

Well, I have so many more fun things that James has been doing and I have been meaning to write about but someone just woke up from his nap so it's time to go! I'll write more later!!! Love to all!!!!