Annalise's mini birthday celebration

We celebrated Annie's birthday a few days early, on Friday the 14th, while Tim's parents were in town.  It was very laid-back -- just playing in the backyard, homemade pizza like all other Fridays, and then cupcakes and ice cream with our next-door neighbor (at least until tomorrow)  Andrea, and her mom and her two little girls.  Andrea took the last four photos.  Now they're headed to the west coast.  We'll miss the Katolins!

Later that night after everyone was in bed, and I was savoring the happy memories of the day, I told Tim how happy I was with how it had gone, and how I couldn't have dreamed of a better first birthday celebration for her.  We are so blessed to have her in our life, and so excited to see what changes in her the next year will bring.

She used to have "lovey" only at naptimes and bedtime, but lately she's been opting to take lovey downstairs too.

Checking out one of her birthday presents while Big Sis Delaney patiently watches and waits her turn.

Delaney can't wait to get ahold of those cupcakes.

At one point her daddy said to her, "There's no prize in the middle of that cupcake."