Serena's first birthday

My sweet baby girl is one year old already. It makes me sad how quickly she is growing up, but at least I have pictures and video to remember every stage. One thing I absolutely love right now that I will miss is how snuggly she is.

Her birthday party was a success. It consisted mostly of family, and two good friends. I was worried we wouldn't have enough room again, so we took the dining room table out on the front porch. That actually worked out really well because then we had the dining room floor for Serena and had the adults around the perimeter of the room.

My mom is on the right in the light pink sweater. Can you tell the person next to her is her sister Jewel?! They look a lot alike, just like my dad and his brother Dan. Also in the picture are Wanda and Bob, Jamie, Josi, and on the left is Mike's Dad.

Aunt Ginny and her daughter Kelly.

Uncle Glenn (Ginny's hubby) and Andy (Kelly's).

My Dad was pretty sick, but I told him he had to come. Even though he was miserable, I think he was glad to be there.

Me and Pappy ( my mom's dad).

I finally got one of my babies to make a mess of herself in her cake! I waited 7 years for that!

Before I slipped in this 1 yr. portrait of me.

My mom was no fun!

She got some very nice gifts and several were quite unique. I was very excited to give her my gift that I had made-20 wood blocks that I had "Mod Podged" with pictures of family, 2 puzzles, colored papers and alphabet stickers. She really liked them and kept going back to play with them later-that made my day! She also got a cute mini rocking horse from Ginny and Glenn that is antique (they are the antique dealers), a homemade blanket from Nanny, and a sling made by Josi(that one was for both of us).

My Mom and I when I was about 1 yr. old.

She got her very own Cabbage Patch doll from Gram and Pap that looks just like her!

Where's Serena?

Peek a boo!

Ride 'em cowgirl!

So, doesn't my daughter look a lot like me?!

I will also include her birthday letter.

My sweet Serena, What a blessing you have been in our lives ever since the special day you were born and surprised us all. You have delighted us with your sparkling bright blue eyes, your jolly personality, your fuzzy hair that sticks up, and your pretty smile. You are at an age now where you are learning new things every day and it amazes me. You have already learned to say several words like "ma-ma", "da-da", "ba-ba", and are learning others like "uh oh" and "num num" and "gack" (doggy). You just learned to crawl the beginning of this month (December), and already you are pulling yourself up and trying to master the stairs. It took a little while to get you started, but soon you'll be walking and going everywhere! You have had six teeth in the front for a little while (4 on top and 2 on the bottom), and just this past week you've gotten one molar on top and one on the bottom on your left side. Now you can chew those carrots! (Just kidding mom!) Speaking of food, you do LOVE food, just like your mama! You are good at eating your veggies, fruits, meat and grains. We've discovered this holiday season that you love cookies (and birthday cake!). I let you have a cookie the other day now that you are a year old, so when I went to eat one yesterday you stole it right out of my hands! You don't like it when I do your hair, but I hope that changes as you get used to it and I get better at it! You have lots of family and friends who love you very much and who love to hold you and snuggle with you laugh with you. We are so grateful that you came into our family and that we get to be together with you for all eternity. We look forward to watching you grow this next year and discovering more of your personality. Happy Birthday my little Cindy Loo Woo! Love, Mommy