Marina Turns One!

Yup we headed to Wisconsin again. We seem to always make a stop at Culver's on the way.

It's just something you do in Wisconsin. Plus it's a lot better than most fast food.

Even Meadow helped drive.

Marina's first birthday party was being held at my Grandma's lake house. Since my Grandma doesn't get to see Meadow very often we planned to spend the night.

I made tacos from leftover fried avocados, black beans  and a few things we picked up along the way.

Meadow hadn't seen her cousin since Christmas.

She's gotten so grown up since we last saw her.

Meadow has re-found her tongue again and always has it sticking out.

That's my little goofball.

Not a bad leftover dinner.

Marina mostly looks like Jeff, but here she looks like a combo platter of the two.

Definitely a combo platter.

So cute.

Bean gotee. 

Meadow is too wiggly for her Great Grandma.

The next morning the cousins played while the adults helped set up for the party.

Hey I do exist!

The little ones played amongst the balloons while we turned the place into party central.

My Grandma just loved watching her great-grandbabies.

Jeff made us nachos for lunch from our leftovers.

Then our family started to arrive.

Brittany also came up with the idea for the balloon bouquets. She's so creative. 

Little dude was in the house with his pops.

Meadow was so excited to play with her cousins she didn't want to eat or nap.

Great-grandma had some really cool toys.

Everyone was eyeing up that drill.

Brittany made Marina's birthday dress. She's so lucky that her mom can make her clothes.

We all snacked and chit chatted for a while.

After we filled up on snacks it was time for Marina to open her gifts.

The balcony was even full for the big present reveal.

She was more interested in what Brayden was doing.

Her favorite food. Bananas.

Meadow was finally winding down and getting sleepy.

Marina got some rad toys.

Nolan was sad none of the toys were for him.

I knit her a doll with different accessories.

We also got her a peacock shirt and the Pat the Zoo book.

This three lovely ladies are so great.

Marina wasn't sure if she should play with the box or her knit baby.

I put Meadow down for a nap while everyone else sang Happy Birthday.

She's so cute. My little niece.

Brittany made her a special blueberry banana cake with no sugar and cream cheese for frosting. I wish I had tried some.

Cake time!

Don't touch the lens with messy hands!

I was literally asking for it.

For everyone else Brittany made a chocolate Bundt cake with Door County cherries. It was so good.

Brayden wanted to play outside and eventually everyone else followed.

Brayden and I were smart and wore our rubber boots today.

I found an old step ladder half buried in the sand.

I think your dad one-upped you with his rubber boots.

My Grandma was concerned that her pump was pumping too much. Leave it to my dad to help out.

Brayden had a good time whacking ice.

The pump wasn't low enough in the water and the tarp had fallen down.

Brayden was jealous that my dad got to break apart ice.

Then we let him play with the mallet.

He destroyed a natural igloo in the process.

We tried to uncover that step ladder again, but no luck.

Somewhere in here I stepped in water after Brayden told me to smash some ice. I'll get the little dude back.

I wish I could take a cuddle nap with Meadow.

You can. You just can't run away and clean the house.

Then I got to open my birthday present from Chelsea. She got for me a wooden spoon with a peacock design on it, my other favorite candy Daim, a kitchen towel and a cookbook I've been wanting forever Rustic Fruit Desserts. Thanks Chelsea.

Brittany had some boxes of stuff she was giving away that Chelsea and I dug through first.

You should wear that dress. It looks good on you.

Good times were had, but the party had to come to an end.

Then it was time to pack and clean up.

The cousins played together one last time.

We tried to convince my Grandma to come with us to Little Chute, but she wouldn't have it.

We had such a good time visiting her.

I wanted to stop here, but we weren't really hungry yet.

Back at my parents I had more gifts to open.  I got Wizard of Oz salt and pepper shakers and new hiking shoes. I was pretty excited about the shoes. I usually wear sneakers when I go camping. It was time for an upgrade, especially since these are waterproof.

After finding out Kim's Place, a.k.a Darboy Chicken, was closed we settled on Butch's Pizza for dinner.

It works, though I feel like we need some Sprecher tap root beer.

My parents finally set up our old crib for us or as we like to call it baby jail.

She seemed to like it.