Festivities!

**WARNING...LOOOOOONG Post ahead!**

Caroline's Birthday weekend started off with a bang! Well, actually, it started off with a shot :( We went to the Dr. Friday morning for her check up, and she got 4 shots! More on that later...

Posing in her birthday outfit...

After the Dr. we came home and waited for Grammy, Grandpa, Aunt Diane, and our cousins to arrive!!!

Are they here yet, Mom?

We were so excited that Aunt Diane, Whitney, and Wyatt could be here all the way from Kansas City, MO. What a special treat :)
Cousin bonding in the ball pit...

Mimi, Papa Al, and Uncle Paul were all in town too, so we had a lovely dinner (pork roast) prepared by Jon...YUM!

My Mema and Papa (Caroline's GGma and GGpa) had this rocking horse made for me on my first birthday. Now Caroline got to have it on her first birthday! So special!
Giddy up!

Saturday was party day! Everyone helped us get ready, and it was a big success!
There was a slight cake debacle...I had to order the cakes from the Whole Foods downtown, because they were able to make her smash cake egg, wheat, and peanut-free. So, my mom and Alan volunteered to go pick it up, only, when they brought them out, they were mauve, navy blue, and forest green!?!?! Not exactly what I had in mind. Luckily, they were able to fix them and they gave us both cakes for free :)

Caroline LOVED it when everyone sang to her...Not surprising ;)
She wasn't so sure about the cake. She was very curious, but she didn't dig in like I thought she would...After I tasted the "special" cake, I understood why! GROSS! I do not recommend eating cake made without eggs or wheat....it's just not right.
the fam...
The BFF's were shockingly not interested in sitting still.
Time for fun in the sun!
Caroline loved the slip n slide! But I am pretty sure Jon loved it even more :)
Whoa! This is AWESOME!
Some of our friends relaxing in one of the pools. Jon, Uncle Paul, and Grandpa did an awesome job of setting up all of the splash pools, the slip n slide, and the chairs :)
Brooke, Ginny, Kristin, and I taking a break while the Daddy's played with the girls

After a fun-filled day of cake and splashing, it's nice to rest and read a book with Uncle Paul :)

After a nice long nap, we helped C open her gifts. We seriously have the sweetest and most generous friends. Caroline got some really adorable stuff!

But, sorry folks, Caroline's absolute favorite gift of all was her very first PURSE!
Umm, is Jon is trouble or what?!?!

Look at the expression on her face...sheer delight!


Let's go shopping!

YEAAAA for shopping!!!!


She now carries it everywhere ;) A special Thanks to MawMaw (Sherri's mom)!!!!
Whew! After a fun-filled day of play....a much needed bath with the cousins. Can't wait to torture them with this pic when they are older ;) but for now, it's just adorable :)
Thanks to all our friends and family for making Caroline's 1st birthday so extra special!!!!