More celebration

Tuesday was Klayton's actual birthday so of course there was even more celebration. Both Monday and Tuesday morning he woke up almost in a state of panic and just wanted to go downstairs to check to see if all of his toys were still there. It is too cute! Tues evening Aunt Laura and Grandma came over and enjoyed the afternoon. Kevin and I decided to buy separate gifts for Klayton and then surprise each other as well. Both of us ended up buying him jackets. (A jacket for as 12 month old is just too cute) and Kevin bought him some tennis shoes. For a while now we have been battling the shoe thing but with him walking everywhere now, "big boy shoes" were definitely on order. We tried to interest Klayton in the clothes but like any good boy all he wanted to do was ride his bike.

That was until Aunt Laura game him a new toy. It is the toy the every parent should be very afraid of. You know the one that you push and the balls pop and it makes a ton of noise. Yes, that is the one. And Klayton is a new proud owner. He took the toy with him everywhere - outside, to the dinner table, almost to bed. We had to hide it for a little while but he just thinks it is the best thing. Thanks Aunt Laura, I guess :)

I forgot to put this in my last blog but this website should take you to all of the pictures from the birthday. They are all quite fun if you feel like enjoying. http://family.webshots.com/album/554395893pVZOil

Happy Birthday!

KLAYTON IS ONE!!

I can't believe it. Where has the year gone? What a marvelous first year. This morning is his actual birthday and as I sit here and try to reflect on the first year I realize we have so much to be thankful for. Of course, as any parent would say, Klayton is a true delight. Every time he smiles my heart melts and when Kevin is on the floor playing with him and they are both giggling, well there are few things in life that top that pride and emotion. My two boys are growing up (Kevin also had a birthday this week but unfortunately I don't have any pictures to share from that) and I am so happy to see it all take place.

We would not have made it through the 1st year without help from a lot of people but especially Mom/Grandma Chance. She is amazing. She makes the drive into Austin 3 times a week to watch Klayton while I go to work. She cooks supper for us a couple nights a week. She tends to Klayton's every need. And she does it all without ever complaining. She is truly amazing and there is no way to ever fully thank her. I hope that she knows how much Klayton loves her and how much we love her. I can't wait to see Klayton getting even closer to a very special Grandma as he grows up.

This weekend we celebrated both Klayton and Austin's 1st birthday and had a party for them at our house in Austin. Carrie and Richard made the trip in on Friday to help celebrate Kevin's birthday. We went out to eat, along with Aunt Marla, and enjoyed a little live music at El Arroyo's downtown. It was a little warm but being outside allowed the boys to stay up past bedtime and the daddies to enjoy a few margaritas.

Then on Sat. we of course did some playing and the boys opened there presents from Aunt Marla and Aunt Linda (we wanted them to practice)

What a cute toy and we know the boys will love the books. Here they are as they start playing.

Sat night after the game us girls made the birthday cakes. Mom would have been so proud. I think we had more fun making them than the boys did eating them but that is the best part.

Then came the day of the party. What fun! As usual Klayton was a little hesitant with the crowd. I try to blame it on the fact that he just woke up from a short nap and he was just hungry because he did do better after some lunch. He is eating like such a big boy now. He ate an entire plate with guacamole, chicken, beans, cheese and the whole nine yards. He even is starting to use a spoon. There was a little time for playing to start the afternoon and the boys showed that they must be related to the Henke's because the washer boards were the favorite toy.

We decided to open present outside to help with any loud crying outbursts and I think things went pretty good.

Then it was cake time. We made it through the singing and Austin even clapped for use and then the eating began. Both boys were a little leary but when Klayton got icing all over his fingers I knew we were in for it. He didn't understand why the purple icing made his fingers so sticky.

So then we had a little meltdown, but Austin continued to enjoy his cake.

Then we cut open the cake and taste tested a few bites and Klayton decided the cake wasn't too bad after all. It was just the icing he didn't like

After a bottle with Grandpa...

It was time for me playing. All of the little ones did a really good job of staying entertained. Next year look out - there is going to be a lot of kids running around. Play time then turned even better when Kevin decided to put together the toy that Grandpa Henke and Grandma Jeanette gave him. It was a ride and push toy and Klayton thought it was the coolest thing ever. I thought the smiles were the coolest thing ever.

The party was wonderful and I look forward to many more parties with cousin Austin and Aunt Carrie and Uncle Richard and we all look forward to another year on awesome firsts. Happy Birthday Klatyon!

Ava

Last weekend was another trip to Houston. As I said in the last blog Klayton is now facing forward in the car and you can tell how much he enjoys it. He still sleeps for most of the drive but he will also drink his bottle in the car and eat however many graham crackers you are willing to give him.
This trip to Houston was for Ava's (my cousins Danna and Mark's little girl) 3rd birthday party. Aunt Linda and Uncle Lary were also in town (they are living in Amsterdam now) and my cousins Krista and Robie from Okinawa were there as well. It was a great chance to visit with everyone and we found out that not only is Danna going to have a baby in Dec. but Krista is now expecting and is due in April. Cousins galore! Danna of course did a wonderful job with Ava's party. Here is Ava enjoying the purple icing on her Dora the Explora Birthday Cake. What fun!

Danna also had games for the kids to play. Of course Klayton was a little young but it just reminds you of all the good times to come. The 1st game was some fishing in the garage. Yeah!

There was also a pull string pinata. I had never heard of it before but perfect for kids who haven't mastered swinging a bat and hitting a moving target. Very cute! They tried to get Klayton involved but he was a little leary.


The thing Klayton enjoyed the most was all of the new toys. There was a little car to ride in, a push toy, a drum to bang on, a kitchen (Daddy was amazed that the kitchen even had "pretend" boiling water that lit up, pretty cool), and so much more. Klayton had a great time.

Klayton doesn't have a chance to be around other kids very often so I was a little concerned how he would do at the party but was more than relieved at how good things went. There were two other little boys who were 13 months and for babies I think we had as close to "playing together" as it gets. There was of course some stolen toys and a few timely redirections, but all in all, things were wonderful. Good times!

Klayton's Walking

LOOK OUT! HERE HE COMES!

Yes he is walking, and walking more and more every day. It has been a couple of weeks now and he just keeps getting better and better. At 1st he would just take 2-3 steps and we didn't really consider that walking but then about 3 weeks ago he would walk to you if you were about 8 steps away. Now he walks from one room to the next. I am still a little unsure about him walking by himself outside. The cement is a little less forgiving and he scares me because half of the time he looks like he's had too much to drink. Nonetheless it is so cute and he gets quite proud of himself. Most of the time his favorite thing to do is hold your finger and walk everywhere. Unfortunately this is sometimes a battle because either my hands are full or I need to do something quickly and I need him to go by himself. Like I said this is a battle which means some give and take on both sides. I am trying to slow down and he is doing more and more on his own. I guess growing up in general is a battle. I want him to stay a little boy (I can't help it, he is just so cute) but yet I want him to start playing more on his own and being more independent. Yes I really he is only one so independent probably isn't the right word but I don't want to spoil him and do everything for him. I'm sure this is just one of those 1st time mom things that I am sure I will get more comfortable with.

Klayton is also a big boy because he is facing forward in the car. Yes, again I know this is a few weeks early but he acts like a one year old and with the new vehicle I couldn't see him when he was facing backward at all. I couldn't reach him or anything and with a few road trips to Houston in the last week, seeing him was imperative. We have made 2 trips to Houston in the last 3 weeks and are headed back this weekend. The first were wedding showers (both went really good) and this weekend is a birthday party. Klayton has done pretty good in the car. He gets fussy and irritable during the last part but so do I. I am glad he is getting to make all these trips with us. He is getting more and more used to being around other people. Several people have mentioned to me now that he needs to be around other children so I am trying to not shelter him quite as much from the chaos of all of mommy and daddy's activities. He is going to be just fine I am sure.

Sorry no pictures I really need to pull out the camera but I promise some next week