While Nathan and Andrew were here last week, Uncle Jon had a special "boys" night where all of them stayed over and played Wii and video games together. The boys had a great "boys" night (and yes, even Aunt Missy who loves Rock Band wasn't allowed to play!). We captured this picture of them playing Rock Band . . . with Uncle Jon rocking out on Matea's new baby grand piano. Priceless. :)
Our sweet angel is now one, and last weekend we had a big birthday bash to celebrate! All of Matea's family was there, which made the party very special, and we had a great time. The party was, once again, in the basement of Grandpa Bob and Grandma Sherry's house which worked out awesome.
We opened presents first, and Matea didn't really know what to do at the beginning. She was much more fascinated by the cards than by the presents. I was a little surprised, since she loves to rip paper I thought she'd dive right in, but she was more restrained. She finally decided she wanted the bow off one of her presents and was persistent in getting in and then ripped the paper off of that gift, but before that and after she wasn't interested in the unwrapping so much. She liked the gifts though!
Matea got all kinds of awesome presents which she is really enjoying already. We've used her picnic table outside, she loves to get pushed around on the pink pony she got, all the kids use the talking tea set (Matea loves to open the top and hear the sayings), Eli and Matea actually play together with her polar bear house, she loves her bouncing zebra, and the piano that Mommy and Daddy got her is her (and Eli's) favorite new toy. It's fun to see her enjoy the presents!
When it came to cake time we were thinking that Matea wouldn't be shy, and we were right. There was no hesitation in touching the frosting, and once she got a taste she just wanted more more more. Pretty quickly it turned in to a two-handed gobbling affair, with no holds barred. When Daddy tried to move the big cake off of her highchair, Matea moved as quick as lightning and grabbed two big handfuls! She stuffed it in and would have kept eating if we hadn't limited her. She's my girl, that proves it! :) She also thought it was fun to get frosting in her hair, the stinker.
After getting her hosed off from the frosting mess we changed her and she got down to playing with more of her toys. Her favorite was when Daddy wheeled her around in her new pink buggy. What a princess!
We had a great day and are so thankful that all of Matea's aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents could make it (especially considering the long drives!). Matea is truly a blessed little one year old!
Jon found that Matea thinks this is hilarious . . .
So if Matea ever tries to pull your hair she's not trying to be mean, she's trying to get a laugh. :)
Well, we finally got the sense in our heads to take some pictures of Matea walking (with the second kid all that stuff flies out the window or drops out of your head apparently!). So we had a walking photo session of our girl. And did she put on a show for us! She is getting much better walking very quickly and can now, if she focuses instead of being distracted or excited, walk all the way across the living room by herself. Of course, most of the time she flakes out and gets beside herself for some reason or another and just falls backward as stiff as a board, but she can make it if she wants to! We have proof!
I'm concentrating hard so you better watch out. Here I come!
The tongue's out as usual. Goofy.
High stepping with good form and playing a pretend trumpet?! A future Michigan Marching Band member? :)
Yeah, I've got this down!
And here's a video compilation of some of Matea's best moves. :)
After the rain storm Monday night I was headed outside to take a picture of the beautiful sky over the barn across the street, but when I got near the end of the driveway I found this . . .
A HUGE TURTLE!!
I called Jon and Eli right away to come and check it out. This guy was one of the biggest "non-zoo" turtles I've ever seen, and it's kind of neat to think that he's living in the pond. Eli said, "Awesome! That's the biggest frog I've ever seen!" I corrected him that it was a turtle and he said, "It's the biggest turtle I've ever seen too!" A few weeks ago Jon and Eli saw a frog as big as Jon's fist down at the edge of the pond, so apparently we're growing 'em big out here in the country. :)
How close can I get Mommy? Eli would have hugged it if he could.
We sat and looked at the turtle for a while, but then we had to go back inside reluctantly. Eli really wanted to stay by the turtle, but had to say good-bye. The turtle was gone in the morning so hopefully he found his way back to his home.
