Emily George: Happy 1st Birthday & Independence Day!

Man! What a busy and exciting couple of days! Our little girl turned ONE today, July 4, 2009, and we could not be happier for her in our lives and all the joy and adventure she has brought Steve and I. We love you so much, Emily!

Emily's birthday began a day early with a celebration at Monique's house. Monique, her sons Luis and Noah, and her Mom Rose Ann made home-made cupcakes and threw Emily a party complete with a new outfit, new toys, hot pink toenails courtesy of Monique (how she can get Emily to sit still for that one over and over, and I can't get the kid to sit still for a picture, still escapes me!) and a hat Monique made her - all pictured below. I know it's weird that she is sitting on a potty but I couldn't help that one. It is sitting in the closet and she discovered it and wanted to sit on it ;)

The new outfit from Monique and her family:

LeapFrog toy from Monique - it's a refrigerator magnet, and if you put the pieces of the animals together, they make the animal sounds - fun!

Mommy and Daddy got so excited about Emily's upcoming birthday, we let her have our presents a day early too - her Princess couch that folds out into a little nap-bed, and an interactive book.

JULY 4, 2009

The morning started with Daddy making us yummy pancakes for breakfast!

And Emily was far too willing to help Mommy load the dishwasher afterwards ;)

Then we got our July 4th outfits on and celebrated America's 233rd birthday!!

Emily's birthday gifts had been coming in all week - lots of them by mail, as I have many friends that live outside of Texas. I had to take a picture of this package that my friend Kate from Omaha, NE sent, as she addressed it to "Emily Nicole George" - I thought that was so funny that Emily is just 1 and is already getting "formal" mail!

Some of the gifts.

The cake!

And Emily's "personal" cake.

The beautiful cards.

The decorations!

So I was very proud of myself for coming up with the creative idea of putting some streamers along the table portion of Emily's high chair - it said, "Happy 1st Birthday Girl" on it and everything.....didn't last of course. She discovered it and tore it up! Thanks, Em!

Ready to party!

Opening her own gifts (she only opened a couple....Mommy and Daddy did the rest).

Steve's parents have Emily the sweetest softest most huggable-ever baby doll. She has been noticing dolls lately, and I was excited she got this as a gift. How sweet is this picture of her hugging the baby? :)