And he is one too.

Keepsake

Our fun, busy weekend kept going all the way until Sunday night! After some breakfast, playtime, and a loooong nap, we spent the rest of the day with friends and family.

Sunday afternoon we visited our good friend Carol who painted this amazing portrait of Amery. We can't wait to find the perfect spot for it in our home. Carol and her husband Jim own Idyll Glen RV Park just outside of Lago Vista, Texas. We caught up with her over some sodas and snacks while Amery rolled limes from a big basket all over her house. She showed us all around the park on a golf cart and we can't wait to see them again - next time over a campfire when we stay with them at the park this winter.

We had dinner at Grammy and Grampy's house. Amery is crazy about Rollo the dog.

On the way out the door we found the one pile of fallen leaves in Texas. Ok, maybe not, but it's the first one we've seen. When he wasn't eating them he enjoyed smashing them in his hands.


He's fast.

Pumpkin Patch and Hanging with Jax

We didn't make it out to the "big" patch in Marble Falls thanks to no sleep on Friday night, but we did manage to get to a small patch at Tarrytown United Methodist with Cousin Jax.


Hanging out, with the pumpkins.


Look over there!


Handsome boys.

What's with this dinky one?

My Halloween costume - Giraffe Wrangler (it will hopefully make a little more sense when I have my giraffe with me at our costume events next week).

Jon's costume - Beaker from the Muppets. Created in about an hour (not counting two craft store runs).

Fashionable Friday

Who doesn't love a new pair of jeans?

Red River Rivalry Weekend

This weekend was the big UT-OU game, formerly known as the Red River Shootout, revised to the less violent and current name of the Red River Rivalry. For the non-locals, the name comes from the fact that the Red River forms the border between Texas and Oklahoma. We watched game at Ruby's house, then we spent the afternoon at Laura and Joe's Engagement party. Papa found a wagon and Amery had a great time getting wheeled around the yard,


Why are you stopping?


Can a brother get a beer, or what?


He also discovered the wonder that is the kitchen cabinets:



This one is from this morning. It was finally cool enough to wear his new little jacket on the way to daycare:



Of course it's supposed to be 80 by this afternoon, so when I pick him up he will be in short sleeves and barefoot. Gotta love Texas.

Our Little Giraffe!

A couple of weeks ago we participated in a fundraiser put on by our friends MC and Lyndsay. Lyndsay is a wonderful friend and a talented photographer. The fundraiser was a huge success and $1700 was raised for M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Please consider donating to the cause. Our friend Jon is undergoing treatment at M.D. Anderson, and so far he is making phenomenal progress in his fight against colon cancer. Bonus for our Austin friends ~ for every $10 you donate by October 20th you get an entry into a drawing to win a mini session with Lyndsay of Life in Motion Photography.



Click here to see all the pics: 2nd Annual Life in Motion Little Monsters Bash

Amery has a crush on the butterfly because she's so adorably sweet and Supergirl because she dumped a cup of sand on his head at the party.

Happy Walker

12-month Stats

I've never actually done a post with his height, weight, head circumference and all that, but lots of my friends do them so I'm guessing this info must be of some interest. Amery had the unfortunate pleasure of getting four shots in a row last Thursday. Poor guy. Clearly he was not thrilled about it:



He took 'em like a champ and is no worse for the wear. He is, however, protected against all kinds of nasty diseases you never hear about anymore. Bring on the mumps - he can take it.

Amery's 12-month stats:

Height = 29 inches = 23rd percentile
Weight = 20.3 lbs = 12th percentile
Head circumference = 46 (not sure about the units) = 37th percentile

If you're interested in what the percentiles mean, this site seems to have a handle on it.

More Party Pictures

Check 'em out:


Not sure who invited my double chin to the party.


We still haven't taken this banner down almost a week later.


Cupcake pops inspired by Bakerella.


Hey Inara!


Smooches!


He's not spoiled.


Pool time. The water was cold, really cold.

Not in love with the party hat.

Singing Happy Birthday.

He had no idea what to do with the cupcake:

Also check out the first post on the party.

Party Pictures

These were taken by our talented friend who shall remain anonymous. Clearly she's awesome and captured our little man and the party details perfectly. Check back later for more pictures as well as a link to all the ones I won't have room to post.


Ready for cake.


Reading with Grandma.


Sneeking a snack before the party.


The Goldfish Cracker sippy cup buffet.

Party favors waiting to be filled.

Balloons!

Cupcake beach inspired by Bakerella. These were made by another talented friend who also would like to remain anonymous. We're all hoping she makes baking her full time business 'cause she's great at it.

Amery and Mama. That's his newborn picture around my neck.

Not exactly party-related, but still birthday-related. Here are a couple of pictures of the amazing painting given to Amery by Aunt Jennifer's Mom and Dad, Gail and Dayle. Gail painted it just for him and we treasure it!

One Year Old!!

Our baby boy is one year old today. It literally seems like yesterday we showed up to the hospital thinking they would send us home. Nope. Instead they sent Jon home to get our bags cause we were havin' a baby! I had good intentions of a long post all about the fun we had today, but we're still having fun even though he's been crashed out for two hours now. He's such a lightweight. ;) Awesome party. Awesome friends. Awesome food. Everything was perfect and crazy and chaotic and wonderful. Every single person in attendance played a role in us making it through the past year. What a fabulous, crooked, winding road it's been. Lots and lots of pictures to come. For now, I'm heading back out to the patio.

Rocky Mountain High

Last weekend we made a quick trip to Breckenridge, Colorado to celebrate the engagement of our dear friends Mac and Louriann. It was really tough to choose just a few pics to share, but if I posted them all it would take forever!


Family photo outside the party venue (French Creek Clubhouse). Right after this was taken it started raining/snowing.


Amery with Mac and Louriann. We can't wait to celebrate with them at their wedding in Charlston, SC next year.


Amery and his future girlfriend, Avah. He's actually really stoked about the idea. He was just getting impatient waiting for his birthday pancakes.


Amery with his godparents Carrie and Drew.

The Valdoro crew: Godfather Drew, Carrie, me, Amery, Jon, Nate, Ann, Avah, and Chris.

Amery shredding it up in downtown Breckenridge. On Sunday we strolled around downtown with Nate and his dog, Shay.

We went out to dinner on Sunday night at the Blue River Bistro. Awesome food and awesome company. Amery took a liking to this wine cork and would not let it go until he finally went to bed.

He didn't want to leave Colorado on Monday morning.

On our way down the mountain we stopped to catch up with Cristy. I hadn't seen her in a couple of years(!) which is just wrong. We only had a few minutes, but it was great to see her.

If you want to see the rest of the pictures from the trip, you can check them out here.