1st Birthday

We had a wonderful day celebrating our sweet Dakota as we were lucky enough to have all of the grandparents in town.  This "Plain Jane" of a mommy enjoyed keeping things simple.  The day started out as normal allowing Dakota to take her morning nap.  Then around lunch time we went to "Whit's End" at Focus on the Family where Dakota was able to play in the toddler room.  We then went home and Dakota took her afternoon nap.  Before supper that night, Dakota got to unwrap her gifts.  She sure is a spoiled girl.  She loved all of her gifts, and we had to take some of the toys away so that she would be interested in opening more.  Next we had a feast of Alaskan Salmon which Dakota loved as well.  Lastly, Dakota was given her very own cupcake to devour. It took her a little bit to get started but soon she gobbled up the entire cupcake.   The rest of us sampled an assortment of cupcake flavors.  I know that Dakota won't remember her first birthday, but I know that she felt very special and loved the entire week of her birthday.  We are excited to see what this next year will bring.

Family Photo Shoot

Family Bonfire 2014

The family bonfire is a beloved and longstanding family tradition.  We have been having the bonfire and hayride for as long as I can remember.  It is around harvest time and includes a hayride around the farm, lots of yummy food, and a bonfire for roasting hotdogs and marshmallows.  I had long thought about what it would be like to bring our children to the family bonfire.  Last year I was pregnant and this year Dakota was finally here to enjoy it.  Yet it is sometimes funny how the idea of having your child enjoy one of your favorite things is different than the reality of it.  The reality was that Dakota was super squirmy on the hay-rack-ride, face planted into the hay bales giving her a little rash on her face, was a little fussy at the bonfire demanding to be fed, had to go in early for her bath and to go to bed.  It was fun getting to see her experience this grand event for the first time; yet I had to come to grips with the fact that my bonfire experience had changed.  No more relaxing hay-rack-ride followed by overindulging in food while peacefully staring into the fire into the late night hours. :)  

We enjoyed our time with family, and it was such a great treat to get to meet little Andersyn Joy for the first time.  We love her so much!!  Dakota traveled well again which we were so thankful for.  We look forward to next year already when we will have a little walker that we will have to chase around the farm. :)

Pumpkin Patch

It seemed appropriate to take our 'Pumpkin' (as I like to call her) to the pumpkin patch this fall.  Unfortunately Patrick was in Texas at an Arkansas game for his birthday, so he wasn't able to come.  (I don't know why he chose Arkansas football over the pumpkin patch. :) Dakota and I went with some good friends, Mike and Lexee, Kelsey and Jordan, and Kristina and Anthony plus their children.  We drove to Canon City which was about an hour away.  It was a cute little patch with a water race, slide, hay-rack-ride, corn maze, pumpkin patch, animals, corn play area, and food.  It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.  Dakota did great, but I look forward to next year when she can really enjoy it.