The After-Party

After Will got all cleaned up, we continued the party with a little family after-party.  We didn't do presents for Will's party, but he still had a few to open from Bma, Papa, Mumsie, & Grumsie.  

One of his toys was this tool bucket.  He now spends most of his time pushing nuts, bolts, and screwdrivers through the banisters in the loft so that they fall down to the main floor.  

Then we had a family monkey-o tournament.  It was pretty intense.

This little monkey was the difference between a gold and silver medal.  One leg in, rest of the body out.

The winner and his spoils:

And Ron practicing his monkey face:

And then Lauren took some impromptu family pictures for us.

Cutest one year old in the world!

Living for Summer

Will is dying to get outside...

And who wouldn't be?!  The weather is nice and the garden is growing...

Oh... and I'm six weeks out from surgery.  I can finally pick up my little bubba.  Hooray!

Little Will's Sock Monkey Birthday Party

We rounded up all the monkeys (both literal and figurative) for Will's 1st birthday party.

A giant monkey (on loan from a friend) greeted guests at the door...

Where they signed Will's birthday book:

Will loved having so many friends at his house, although I doubt he realized the party was for him...

The food turned out great: Caprese salad skewers, tortilla sandwiches, monkeys in a blanket, cheesecake strawberries, frozen chocolate bananas, root beer and cream soda, and of course, cake!

Everyone enjoyed the Tanner version of "Monkey Baggo" and the kids colored their very own sock monkeys.

Guests helped themselves at the treat table: 

And filled goody bags to take home:

It was a great success and our sweet little man is one!!

Birthday Preview

Our little man is one!

The house is starting to recover from throwing monkeys, cake smashes, and children running around with sharpies.  (It was awesome).

  The computer table, which was relocated for the party, just made it back upstairs, thus I can begin editing pictures.  

How I love that little monkey...

Return to Rudy's

Remember when I said we were going to Rudy's?!

It was awesome.  For a moment, it felt like we really were in Texas again, hanging out with the Mallory's like the good ole' days.  

And then I remembered my sweet baby cheeks over there...  It's no longer the good ole' days.  

I guess it's the good to'days?

Turkey, sausage, brisket, drool...

Emily settled on some ribs.  Grant & I may have had to help her finish.  We're good for that.

And the classic Logan Mallory picture.  Reminisce about those here.  Or here.  Or even here.

Rudy's rocks.  I get just enough Texas to fill my belly with food and my heart with memories. All the good stuff without all the sweating.  

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Once we lathered up with sunscreen, we set out to meet the animals at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.  

We fed giraffes.

 A select few kissed the giraffes...

Petted a pancake turtle:

As well as attempting to amputate the leg of that same pancake turtle...

Made friends with a wallaby:

And played with the river otters:

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was incredible.  We really did feel like we met some of the animals instead of just searching for them while they hid in big cages.

Zoo Prep

We wanted to make sure he wouldn't get burned...

The Fourth

Will had a traumatic Fourth of July.  He happens to be terrified of swimming pools...

But a scared bubba means some rare and unexpected snuggle time for his mama.  Score.

After an afternoon recovering, we checked out a Journey cover band.

They sounded pretty good.  Until the lead singer got the words wrong on "Don't Stop Believing..."  How is that possible?!

Either way, I'm glad to live in this beautiful country.  Happy Fourth.