Explore & More and Ellicottville Hike

We had wonderful family time last weekend.  We love being at the beach all summer but it is nice to settle back in at home in the fall.  We have a great children's museum in our wonderful town.  Saturday was our first visit to Explore and More.  Elliott really loved ringing the doorbell on the little house.



Holly and Ned had also planned on going there so we enjoyed seeing them.  It's a great place to get energy out on a rainy day.  Here is Ned being extra safe.

I love this picture!  Elliott liked driving the little wheel in the train.  Here he was playing peek-a-boo with Jesse.

Learning to use building tools so he can help Daddy.  How long until he can run the log splitter??

A rare shot of Elliott walking.  He doesn't normally walk . . . he runs.

We spent Sunday morning taking family pictures, an early Christmas present from the Ortmans.  Afterwards, we went down to Ellicottville to meet up with Garrett and Leah at their family farm.  We went out for a hike.

A big yawn early on but there was no napping at all!

Leah and Levi

After the hike, the kids played on this awesome tractor.  You've all heard about Elliott's love for wheels.  There were tons of wheels!

Elliott and Levi

Elliott and Tucker.  These two are five weeks apart (Tucker is older), and live just a mile apart, so they will most likely be in school together.  We joke about bringing these pictures out when they are in high school.

Elliott needed a cup holder.

The boys

Daddy showing Elliott how to drive.

Those cheeks :)

 

Shiny New Wagon

Elliott got a shiny new wagon for his birthday from Holly, Mike, and Ned.  Jesse put it together on Sunday morning, Elliott's actual birthday.

Getting buckled in



Oh, joy!

He loves his wagon!  We took him for a walk down our gravel driveway last night.  He smiled with every bump in the road!

Trying it out a bit faster

My boys

I love that curl in the back.

Our boy is 1!

Elliott and Cousin Hayden

Grandma Sue and Grandpa Brad.  Elliott seems to be intrigued by Brad here.

With Grandma

Brad and Sue with their two grandsons

Everyone is looking but Elliott started melting . . . 

 

First Birthday Party

We had a wonderful gathering of family and friends last weekend to celebrate Elliott's first birthday.  We had extra special visitors for the occasion - Elliott's Grandma Sue, Grandpa Brad, and Cousin Hayden came all the way from Colorado (more pics of them in the next post from the weekend).

Coco's artwork in the driveway

My parents graciously allowed us to host the party at their house (dubbed my party house now - this isn't the first time).  They also stopped for the day-of grocery run, including the balloons.  Humphrey, the dog, was with them and they rightly didn't think he would do well in the back with the balloons.  So my mom sat in the back with all the balloons.  Pretty entertaining!

Coco and Poppy had some special gifts for Elliott, including his new suitcase.  He took the card and brought it over to me.

The primary contents of the suitcase - his new wheely bug.  It's a bull, but looks more like a dairy cow with horns.  He loves it!

All three of us in the same picture!  We got a few that day.

Checking out a new game

All ready with Holly's handmade "Happy Birthday" banner

The first guests arrive, Leigh and Colton (and Jason, behind the camera).  Thanks for taking pictures, Jason!

Great shot of my boys

This is my new favorite picture.  I have it set on the home screen of my phone.  Every time I look at it I say (sometimes out loud), "wow, I love that kid!"

Another family shot

We had a great casual gathering.  The kids loved the sidewalk chalk, though Elliott was most interested in eating it.

Little people fun

Awesome shot of Ned and Danielle

First Elisa spotted Tucker. Then Tucker saw those dimples.

And it was love.  He kept kissing her.  So cute!

Coco and Elliott

Poppy and Grandpa Brad

Some of my great friends who helped us celebrate

Busy, busy boy

Inside, but still together

Huge thank you to Holly for making AMAZING cupcakes.  She had the genius idea of doing cupcake decorating as an activity for the older kids.  They loved it!

The Mayer girls at work decorating

Elliott's 1st cupcake.  Hello and welcome to the world of refined sugar.

He lit up when everyone started singing.

Then he noticed Jesse and me

And then he noticed the fire.  Jesse blew out the candle just before Elliott reached for it.

Unsure at first

What is this white stuff?  A little piece of heaven, if you ask me.

Now he has the right idea . . . 

Well on his way to making a mess

And the best of about 15 attempts to get a picture of Elliott and his two red-headed cousins, Hayden and Ned.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy!