Gone Swimmin'

This past weekend Steve ran the Hood to Coast with the Bodacious Bison. He is in full training mode for the Portland Marathon and this race is always a good test of his endurance. He survived on only 30 minutes of sleep! While he was running we decided to head to the coast to meet him there and bring him home on Saturday rather than wait until Sunday afternoon to see him. This was Maggie's first trip to the beach and I think we have a water baby on our hands. While some kids like to run from the waves, Maggie wanted to run straight into them. She could not get enough of the frigid Oregon Coast. I kept a close eye on her the whole time, well except for the time I was trying to set up my video camera and I wasn't paying attention and she got a mouth full of salt water. That was okay with her though, she just headed back in for more! I love that she loved the beach. It gives me the perfect excuse for getting Steve back there in the near future. How can he resist his daughter? Anyway, here are a few pics of the glorious day spent with my beautiful baby and her Grandparents.

No fear whatsoever.

Love every minute

Staring the waves down, daring them to come closer

Grandpa, Grandma, Maggie and Willy the Whale

What is this substance?

Lemme go Grandpa, I can do it myself!

Me and Mags enjoying the sun and sand

All done! Heading to pick up Daddy in Seaside.

Maggie's First Cake

No matter how hard Steve and I try our kid is not a big eater. She would much prefer to share her food with the dog or her parents than eat it herself. Her days are so full of running around exploring every new nook and cranny that I think she finds eating a necessary inconvenience. Eating cake was no different. She took a couple of bites and threw the rest to Sasha. We did manage one good shot though.

Maggie's First Birthday

I realize that I am almost three weeks late from the actual date of her birth but I have been quite busy. Her actual birthday, July 23rd, passed almost un-noticed. We went to Trout Lake for the wedding of our good friends Hasan and Bekah. It was a beautiful wedding and a wonderful way to celebrate not only their union but also the birth of our daughter. Maggie celebrated by staying up way later than we had planned.

Because of the wedding, we had decided months ago to celebrate her birthday on the 30th with a small party at the zoo. I didn't want a party at home because I didn't want the temptation of inviting too many people. I thought that if I had it at the zoo I could invite just a few of our closest friends and family. We were lucky to have both sets of Grandparents in attendance as Steve's parents flew in from Chicago to celebrate with us.

It is hard to believe that our baby girl is a year old already. She is growing up too fast and while I want to hit the pause button so often I know that our times together will only get better. Steve and I are looking forward to what the next twelve months bring us. For now here is an overload of pictures from the party! Thanks so much to all who made it. We had a wonderful time with all of you!

Grandparents of Maggie and Jameson enjoying a little pre-party

The cupcakes that yours truly made!

Two of my favorite kido-s

Maggie refused to share Jameson's ball!

I love this kissable face!

Missy, J-man, me and Magpie

Maggie FINALLY gets a blahblah. I don't know who was more excited.

Opening gifts

Maggie and Bennett eyeing each other

The Birthday girl looking for more toys.

Maggie's One Year Pictures

Because they are unbelievably cute I have to post them all. She took many more shots but these are the "teaser" shots that the photographer sent to us just this morning. I know it sounds like I am bragging but with a kid this cute how can I resist! In 3 weeks we should have the rest and be ready to adorn our walls with Maggie's smiling face.

A Few Favorites

Steve and I haven't been out on our weekend adventures recently. Every weekend we have either had other commitments or the weather hasn't cooperated. I am hoping as summer approaches ever closer we will begin to get out once again. For now here are a few of my favorite shots over the last several weeks. Steve's parents were in town for a long weekend and it was great for them to get to spend some time with Maggie.

Maggie's favorite thing to do in the mornings.

At the Rhododendron Garden hitching a ride with Grandpa Sobieszczyk.

We saw probably 250 baby duckies. They were so cute!

Usually I hate messy face pics but I couldn't resist.

Grandpa Sobieszczyk made Maggie a new rocking cradle for her baby dolls. Don't you love it!

Sunny Monday in the backyard.

Maggie loves her Grandma Dawson.

Once again at the back door in the sun.

Sunny Thursday afternoon in Deborah's yard. She has more yard and more shade.

Maggie and Sasha

This is how they are together all the time.

Sunday: 70 and Sunny.

We spent part of Sunday at the Columbia River. There is a rather large beach on the Oregon side and it was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in the sun.