Cooper's 1st Birthday Party

What a beautiful day it turned out to be! Last weekend it was snowing and on Tommy's birthday last month it was snowing. Today was beautiful, sunny and actually warm enough for the kids to be outside. The kids took it a bit far with their attempts at swimming in the lake and naked, bubbly slip-n-sliding, but the adults were able to hang out in the sun as well without being too cold. Brad, Erica and girls joined us after a long, traffic-filled drive up. They were staying the night, so hopefully it softened the blow of the long journey up. Robin, Lily and Jack didn't fare as well. Jack threw up and was sick on the drive up, not to mention the long traffic delays in both Everett and Mt Vernon (darn those tulips!). Poor Jack spent the afternoon curled up in the Monkey-room in isolation, as Robin told us she didn't want to share the wealth with everyone. Stephen and Barb came, and Gene and Punkie are finally up and healthy enough to come over for a short visit. The Lawrences came over after a long day for them, so it was short visit but filled with naked tubing, slip-n-sliding, jumping castle, pizza and treats. It was a great day together, balloons out in the yard, treats, presents and good times. Cooper enjoyed all the attention from the family, and was pretty reserved about his first few bites of cake. Eventually, and to our delight, he tried out the feel and texture of the cake itself, instead of just it's taste. Too soon it ended up in his hair, ear and face, which is any photographer's joy. What a sweet boy he was. The kids helped open his gifts, and helped blow out his candles, too. In the afternoon Cooper joined in with the sliding in the yard. It was quite a thrill to watch Cooper's naked bum sliding down the big boy slide into a freezing cold puddle of bubbly water at the end. Thanks Uncle Stephen! Despite his lips turning purple, he hopped in and out of the hot water bucket, throwing fits when we'd take him inside to warm up. He wanted to be with the big kids all day long, doing what they were doing. I can't believe our little boy is ONE today! What an amazing 1st year we've had!