Happy 1st Birthday Sami!

We made it!  Yesterday was not only a celebration of Samantha and her first birthday, but also a celebration for Andrew and I and the fact that we survived our first year as parents - wahoo!  The past year has been unlike any other as we have experienced amazing joy and delight and countless moments that we cherish more than words can describe.  We couldn't be more proud of our little Sami and we thank the Lord each and every day that he has allowed us to be her parents.  Happy Birthday sweet baby!

Dinner time.  One of Sami's favorite food is noodles, so I decided to have chicken and mushroom fettucine alfredo.  She is a real pro at slurping up the noodles :)

Besides my immediate family, we had a few other family friends that joined in on the celebration including Odette Singleton, Jared and Dianne Dodson, and Heather Wallace.

And now for the main event....presents of course!

This gift bag, when opened makes the sound of a baby laughing.  It is the cutest thing and Samantha got the biggest kick out of it and joined right on on the laughs which infected the rest of us as well :)

Reading a card from Uncle Ryan and Uncle Chris.  "Little Lady....You are the queen of cute!" 

A few weeks ago when we were at Macy's with my mom, shopping for Sami's birthday, I had let Sami down so she could run around a bit.  On the floor there were several baskets full of stuffed animals that caught her attention.  She looked them all over and picked out this cute little lamb.  Then she grabbed another lamb just like it proceeded to run around the store with her two little lambs, one under each arm.  She was hugging them and burrying her face in their soft fur.  Of course, I couldn't help but buy one. Then at home, when she wasn't looking, I put it away and she forgot all about it.  When she opened it, she was just as delighted with her little lamb as she was at the store.

Visiting with Odette...for a moment...and then she was off again.

Excited about the bouncy turtle from Auntie Kay!

She hopped right on, knowing exactly what to do.  Giddyup turtle!

First babydoll from Grandma (Mary) - complete with stroller, high chair, and playpen.

And now for cake...

I almost forgot about this hat I bought and once I put it on it lasted for...oh about a half second.

Later I felt guilty about letting her eat so much frosting.  The adults felt a little ill just watching her shovel it in.

Back to the toys....got lots of energy now!!

New outfit from Uncle Ryan and Uncle Chris.

Spiky frosting hairdo!

"Thankyou for the presents!  I love them all!!"

"I sat by the lake. I looked at the sky, and as I looked, a fly went by."

Sami's Grammy and Papa sent this very special book which has been a Herb family favorite since her daddy was a little boy.