Birthday Girl!

I can't believe our baby girl is already 1! Where has this year gone? It simply befuddles me. I pray every day that she will know God, follow His ways and that He will bless and protect her always. It has been a truly amazing year and she does something new and joyous everyday! I am so incredibly blessed to have such an amazing little family. We were just meant to be together and I am so thankful. Enjoy the birthday photos and say a birthday prayer for our girl!

still more pics...

more pics...

1st Thanksgiving!

This year for Riley's first Thanksgiving, we went to see her great-grandparents in Oklahoma. What a trip! We even drove! (OG came too! She was good company for Riley in the back seat.) She was an incredibly good baby, but what else would you expect? The weather was COLD, but we survived. (Despite the fact that we showed up in flip flops and T-shirts.) Fortunately, I had packed warm weather gear.
Riley enjoyed her first turkey dinner. She especially liked the stuffing and the green bean casserole (one of her mommy's favorites, too.) She had a particularly funny way of eating it though; she would suck all the stuff off the green bean, spit it out and then suck the bean back in. It was hysterical. I'm not sure why she did it that way. Her great-aunt Leslie and 2nd cousin Michael made the trip as well. Her aunt went a little crazy buying her fun jeans and stuff, so Riley left OK dressed better than when she arrived.
After dinner on Thursday, we took Riley to the city park to see all the Christmas lights. I think she really liked it. She also got to meet Santa for the first time. She was okay with him until I tried to put her on his lap. She wasn't having anything to do with that! Unfortunately, the batteries in my camera picked a most unfortunate evening to give out. Aunt Leslie got some pics of the ordeal though, so once she sends them to me, I'll post them. They're too cute!
On Friday, Amy, Jimmy and JT came in to see us. JT is such a cute, happy baby! He's gotten big and he's crawling all over the place. He and Riley had fun together.
On Saturday, Ty and I headed to Norman for the OU/osu football game. BOOMER SOONER! With a score of 49-17, the Sooners ran away with the win. It was a great game and Ty finally got to see a "real" football game. Thanks to my fabulous friends Becky and Jake (and their parents) for the tickets. Unfortunately, Jake was sick, so it was just Becky, Ty and I for the game, but it was fun. I ran into some friends from college that I haven't seen since I graduated.
All too quickly, Sunday rolled around and we had to say a tearful good-bye to everyone. But, shortly they'll all be out here for Riley's Birthday Bonanza Blowout!

Our little kiss....

Riley was the sweetest little kiss for Halloween! She went trick-or-treating like a pro and was walking all over the place. She totally amazes me.

The first picture is of her and her OG, who was dressed as a hippie for the day. The second on is of her and her cousin Ethan, or Dr. Q. T. Patootie.

Pumpkin Carving

Tonight we went to Grandma and Papa's house to carve our pumpkin. Ty did a really great job on ours! Riley looked so cute in this little outfit and she even wore the little scarf on her head, so there's hope that she'll wear the most important part of her halloween costume this week. (I'm not revealing what it is just yet.) She's walking all over the place now. She's even trying to run some. She's so cute- she loves it when I chase her. She's also playing peek-a-boo tons. Anything she can get her hands on, she hides behind and we play. She's been very good about brushing her teeth and she has the best toothy grin! Miss Riley just amazes me every day. She's really smart and just such a doll! We couldn't be more blessed!

Apple Annie's

Yesterday, we went with Grandma, Papa and Aunt Beth to Apple Annie's Orchard. We had a great time!Riley was so cute in the pumpkin patch. The weather was perfect and the ice cream and pie was great!
Riley's really getting the hang of walking now and she's very proud of herself. We're pretty proud of her, too.

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FIRST STEPS!!

It's official- Riley's walking! Okay, so not far distances or anything, but she did take her first steps today and we've been practicing. Did I have the video camera or the camera? No, I'm not that organized of a mom, but I'll get some pics of it. She's tired now and a little fussy, so I don't want to push her. Maybe tomorrow I'll get some pictures of her.
In the meantime, OG, Riley and I went to the zoo today. The weather was perfect and we had a great time. We even fed the giraffes! Riley really liked them, the lion (she even said "Cat!" when she saw it) and the parrots.
Ty's birthday was last week, so there are some pics of his party here, too. The birthday cake I made for him melted a little bit and looks rather pathetic, but it was made with love.
On Ty's birthday we went to a U of A football game, so I got a picture of Riley in her cheerleader outfit with Wilma. We tried for one with Wilbur, but she screamed when he held her and I felt like the worst mom in the world, so I had to quickly rush in and save her!
One more thing- OU beat tEXas. Boomer Sooner, Baby!

Riley and JT in the park

As I'm still catching up on posting pictures (and laundry and house cleaning and work...that's all besides the point) here are some pictures of Riley and JT in the park. She was SUPER tired and I think it shows in her eyes, but she's still beautiful!

Baptism

Slowly, but surely, I'm catching up. So, here are the pics from when Riley was baptized a few weeks ago. Enjoy!