Well it's been a while since I've blogged and boy do we have a LOT of catching up to do. Summer 2013 was a whirlwind of family vacations and we did have a blast. So before I forget about all of the fun, I'll capture a bit of the goings on.
First Birthday (6/27/13)
Summer kick off was Pierce's first birthday. (Yes I realize I'm an awful parent by not blogging about this until now.) We decided to have a simple cake get together with our friends in town since working with a 12mo old is a *bit* unpredictable. However, Pierce played along perfectly.
We decided to go with a Lego themed birthday. I had seen a picture of a cake that I LOVED and tried to get a local bakery to replicate it.
Here's the cake I liked...
Unfortunately when Clay went to pick it up the bakery had screwed up and hadn't even begun making all of the little fondant Legos for the edging. GRRRRRR... and on top of that they didn't understand that the Lego on top was the smash cake so they had made another small cake for the smash cake. So this is what we ended up with....
In the end it's just a cake and we had a great time. Lots of friends came to celebrate and we had a glorious cake smashing. Pierce did love the cake. I had spread out a disposable table clothe expecting frosting and cake to cover the floor. But once our little boy started he liked the cake so much there was not a drop on the floor.
Birthday Boy
Opening presents...
Cake smashing!
All for me?!?
Frosting is good stuff!
I added some of the blue frosting from the Lego cake to get a good messy baby shot. I'm pleased with the results!
After the birthday fun he was so tired (he hadn't napped all day) that he passed out in his crib face down for a two hour snooze. Happy birthday little boy. We sure do love you!
Family Camp 2013 (week of July 4th)
Our first outing was to Yellowstone Bible Camp where we spent the week with my family - mom and dad (aka Gramby & Geezer) and Alyson, Jim, Lily, Grace and Clementine. For simplicity both my mom and Alyson have blogged the experience here and here, just in case you want to know more!
Clay and I drove to Montana. That's right folks, we risked a two day drive (each way) with a 12 month old. Pierce was a trooper! For the week Pierce loved hanging out with the family, playing in the dirt, and enjoying the sunshine!
Fishing was a favorite activity!
We also had a lot of other sillly fun!
Alyson as "Large Marge"
We celebrated Grace's 3rd birthday and Pierce's 1st birthday as a joint family celebration. We also threw in Jim's birthday a little early. Might as well take care of the whole gang!
A very girly birthday girl!
Pierce likes opening gifts
An early birthday for Jim!
We went into Livingston one day and met up with Papa, Uncle Don and Aunt Vicki. It's great for Pierce to get to meet the extended family.
Cousins
Down the slide!
Papa, Dad & Don
Clementine loved the wood chips
Sliding with Great Papa
A guy at the park was practicing on a slack line and I asked if I could give it a go.
I'm a natural!
The wood balance beam in the playground was more our speed!
Showing off my new balance skills
Vicki gives it a try
Mom missed her calling as a gymnast!
Jim, Papa, Grace, Me, Dad, Vicki, Pierce, Clay, Don, Clementine, Alyson, Lily, Mom
Finally we spent a day at Chico Hot Springs.
Our little swimmer!
Family Photo
Wyoming (last week of July)
Our next excursion took us to Green River, WY. Family friends, Gene and Pati (who are also surrogate grandparents to Pierce) had a wedding vow renewal ceremony. They have a fabulous tradition of renewing their vows every 10 years. This ceremony celebrated 42 years of marriage (yes they were a couple of years late).
Baby's first plane ride. He enjoyed flirting with the flight attendants!
First we went for a sail.
Our little Gilligan
Grandma Pati fed Pierce cake
While Grandpa Gene taught Pierce to sail
Our sailing trip turned into quite the ordeal. While we were having a relaxing time Clay sighted a storm coming our way. As luck would have it the storm resulted in head winds headed back to the dock. So it took us nearly 2 hours to get home. Pierce just snuggled in and took a nap for the ride home while Clay and Gene expertly manned the riggings!
Playing with the puppies
Flying with Gma Pati
Gma Pati & Gpa Gene
I didn't get any pics of the actual ceremony (they had a fabulous professional photographer). But it was beautiful. A sunset ceremony overlooking the Flaming Gorge. And it was special as Gene and Pati recited all the ways their love had changed and grown through 42 years of marriage. We were truly blessed to be a part of such a special occasion and had a wonderful time with "extended" family!
Canada (Labor Day weekend)
Our last trip of the summer was to Clay's family in the great north land. Clay's parents had not met Pierce yet and it was important that he meet the Canadian grandparents. We spent the week at Ally and Rick's cabin on a lake in Manitoba. We were "roughing" it in a three bedroom cabin that's off the grid. Honestly the only "rough" part is a lack of running water. They have solar power and back up generators and it's a really great place to hang out.
Rhys, Pierce, Aiden & Drew
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Clay, Pierce & Gpa Dennis
We stopped by Clay's dad's store and Dennis was so sweet as he proudly introduced Pierce as "Pierce DENNIS Dwyer". Clearly grandpa is proud to pass along his name to his grandson.
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Pierce and Kookam
Grandpa and his grandsons
Uncle Rick taught Pierce how to drive the boat! That was one happy boy!
Momma and Pierce at the falls
