The Big Birthday Bash has come and gone... and man did we make a lot of great memories this weekend. Thank goodness the camera was around to capture all 956 of them. Just kidding I don't know the exact count, bu there were several pics taken over the course of that sweet baby boy's bday celebration.

We had a Wonderful time... every minute of the weekend was so special, starting in the wee hours of the night on Friday when the first Aunt arrived (Aunt Aggie) at three o'clock. Of course this very arrival last year on this weekend was what sent me into labor if you all will remember! This year was a little different, instead of packing up the car for the hospital we peeked in on a darling sleeping baby boy in the middle of the night! Fast asleep... also very different from last year!

Friday morning crept up fast and Aggie and I got to crafting. The house was a buzz, my mom hanging last minute pics, my dad blowing and sweeping leaves and Josh finishing up on last minute guest room projects. The Iowa side of our family arrived that afternoon... Grandpa Gordie, Grandma Rosie, Dawne, Joe and Aunt Monica... also ready to busy themselves with projects around the house and for the party!

We shared a huge meal together on Friday night, complete with two beef tri -tips on the big green egg! Aggie and I headed to Branson to scoop Lucy up from the airport around 9:30 that night. Once we were home we all shared a few late night laughs... and then we all crashed!

Saturday morning Josh treated us all to another huge meal, this time breakfast and then we tore into Charlie's first round of gift opening. He had a blast, made me do most of the work but he enjoyed the tissue paper, envelopes and boxes very much - oh and the presents were well received also!

I love the way my baby boy looks in the morning and I am always so happy to catch it!

Good Morning Sunshine!! Guess who is ONE???

Taking an early morning spin on his new

4 Wheeler from Nana and Papa for Halloween!

Charlie's Happy Birthday Plate from Great Grandma Alice

Let the madness begin...

Danny the Dinosaur from Grandma and Grandpa

Upside down Birthday Boy!

Quick snuggle on dad

Happy Birthday Charlie Boy!

For Charlie's b-day we had a vintage circus party with about 30 adults and twenty something children. Saturday morning could not have been more beautiful... the sun was out and it was really warming up to be a great fall day. And then of course around 3:30 pm (the party was at 4) total downpour. I could not have been more bummed. Thank goodness for our huge wrap around porch. Everyone showed up with their umbrellas and we had a great time.

Charlie loved having all his friends over... and they all brought really great gifts - we got lots of books, trucks, blocks, cars and musical toys! We are bringing them out in shifts so several haven't even been touched yet!

Miss Elsie Ann

Henry and Holly with Aunt LuLu and Charlie

Anna Claire and William came too!

Bouncing on Rody with Aunt Aggie!

Now moving on to the Cozy Coupe

With two great grandmas

More Friends

Aunt LuLu and Jessica

Mr. Henry

Katie and Koy - Hannah and Link

Let's get this cake thing going!

Totally over it..

Washing it down, no time for a family pic

So proud of our one year old!

That night we cleaned up and grabbed some pizza and stayed in. It isn't that often that we are all together so it was nice to just be able to relax and visit. Birthday boy crashed about 8:30 after a deicing bath was given! He had a great day with all his loved ones!

The next morning was business as usual... got to get our Nick Jr in before breakfast. This time sitting in our new chair from Nana and Papa. The Iowa crew headed out early to get Aunt Monica back to the airport...

Then a little door time, our gift from Aunt Monica (that we LOVE)

We decided to take the cozy coupe for a spin before Aunt Aggie and Aunt LuLu headed out. He had just climbed in the dishwasher and claimed the spatula, and of course it had to come along as well...

This sweet smile sums up the whole weekend... TOO much fun! Thanks to all who made the trip to celebrate with us. We missed everyone else but appreciate the cards and well wishes! A wonderful time was had by all!

Charlie's First Maple Leaf Parade

We packed up the car and headed home to Carthage this weekend for the annual Maple Leaf Festival. This was Charlie's first and it couldn't be a prettier weekend for all the festivities. We had a great time. Friday night we hung out at home and Charlie dusted off some of the twin's and I's old toys. He loved the whistle the most of course.

Saturday morning he slept until 9:00 a.m. so it was a struggle to get him bathed, fed and dressed before parade time but we made it. He loved the bands, bobbed his head and kicked his feet to each one as they passed. He was such a trooper (the Gerber puffs helped) and payed attention to most of the parade. He met lots of new Carthage friends as well.

Charlie's first Maple Leaf

Taking it all in

Peeking around at the band

Chatting with friends

Meeting Jack Graue for the first time.

Taking it all in

Really getting into it

Snack time

Lunch at the Boyers

Dad shared his lemonade

Going back for a little more

Playing with Grandpa

Playing with my parents good friend Betsy Pauly

Total boy... just give him a stick and a leaf for a good time! We had a great weekend. Now gearing up for a busy busy first birthday week... Glad I got a chance to post these pics... I think I am all caught up now, with a bday and halloween there are sure more to come!