Sammy's 1st Birthday Party & Dedication

This past Saturday we celebrated Samuel's 1st birthday! It was a monkey-themed party, since we've always fondly called him our little monkey - plus he makes a pretty sweet "ah-ah-ah" monkey sound. Just about all of Samuel's family (cousins, aunts, uncles, grand & great-grandparents and more!) and his growth group buddies were there to help celebrate. Thanks to everyone who helped make this day so special! (Plus a special shout-out to Auntie Alexis for taking such sweet photos that day, and to Aunty Jillian for baking & decorating the best cake and cupcakes ever!)

Here's Andrew & I with our little one-year-old! We can't believe he is ONE already! Sammy wasn't too interested in looking or smiling at the camera, but its still a cute shot of him. He would much rather look and point at a bird, or tree, or plane...

And here is the AMAZING birthday cake! My sister Jillian actually formed the little 3-D monkey & bananas herself... and hand painted on the waves and tree! She is a cake artist!

And the birthday cupcakes... yummy!

Thank you Aunty Jillian for all of your hard work! :)

A monkey-themed birthday wouldn't be complete without some monkey tattoos. Here are Indiana & Amy showing off their new tats! :)

Oh, and look closely - doesn't Indiana have the longest eyelashes?!

After lunch, it was birthday cake time! Samuel was very fascinated by the candle. It looks like he's about to touch the flame, but we stopped him just in time!

We were hoping for a big chocolate cake mess, but it seems that we have a clean little boy. He didn't like that the frosting stuck to his fingers, and after giving him a little taste, he wouldn't re-open his mouth at all. We even tried later that day (after the party and after a nap), but still no luck! Cousins Stryder & Indiana were so eager to help Sammy with his presents! Stryder was our big helper and ran and got the next present once Sammy ripped into one.

Here is evidence that Sammy would rather eat wrapping paper than birthday cake.

Here's our little buddy taking a spin in his new wagon from Auntie Amy. He likes to take rides in it all around the house! When he starts walking, I'm sure he'll like giving rides to his toys and stuffed animals too. :)

Sammy got so many amazing gifts - what a lucky guy! This is one of his favorites, for sure... its a Tow Mater ride-on/walker from his Grammy & Gramps. Since the party, each morning when he wakes up, its the first toy he crawls for! :)

Here are some of our guests at the party - Samuel's two Grandmas, Great-Aunt Dot & Great-Grandmother June! It was so wonderful having everyone together!

Uncle T and JJ are letting Sammy & Kale hang out together.

Uncle Jason & Aunt Mindy (& cousin Laylie!) with Sammy and his new tractor! Hehe - Sam won't let anyone pry it out of his little fingers!

We finished off his birthday weekend by dedicating Samuel to the Lord on Sunday, in front of all our family, friends and church. We are so thankful that God has given us this beautiful boy. It was truly so special to celebrate his birthday by acknowledging the One who has given him to us! It is our prayer that Samuel will come to know and love God as his Savior, and that we can live our lives as parents guiding and leading our son in a way pleasing to God.

Samuel couldn't help but raise his arms in worship while were were up on stage! :)

A group shot of Jessica's family after Sammy's dedication

That's it for now! More to blog about later... :)