1st Birthday Party

Warning... This is a LONG Post! So many nice pictures were taken and this is just a sample (seriously)

Whew! It was a super fun day and Finley has been fast asleep since about 6 pm (not sure if it's for the night) after an afternoon of partying with all his friends and family. He had a great time at his 1st Birthday Party and made it till about 5pm when he had a bath and got in his pjs as he was indicating that he had his fill of partying and playing. I must say that the party was a success and I think everyone had a good time. I know I did and Finley did. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us. Also a big thanks to my mom and dad who I don't know if I could have pulled this off without them and Nate's mom and dad who also helped out a lot.
I tried to include a picture of everyone at the party to really capture the mood of the party. It was a bit chaotic at times with about 10 kids running around!! Finley did the traditional Book, Bread and Dollar choice (Nate's families tradition). If they choose the book they will be a scholar, if they choose the dollar they will fall into wealth and if they choose the bread they will work hard for a living? Something like that. Greg can tell you. Anyway, he first touched the bread, then grabbed the dollar and a minute later paged through the book! I guess we will say half and half dollar and bread. He was equally interested in both. He will work hard for part of his life and fall into money?? LOL
He did enjoy his smash cake. No real smashing he just ate it bit by bit methodically and actually was about falling asleep as he did that. Uncle Josh helped him eat his cake too. After cake we opened gifts and Finley enjoyed the help of some of the bigger kids. That was nice because if we would have let Finley do it all by himself we could have been there for a year. Our friends and family are EXTREMELY generous and Finley got so many nice things. We are very appreciative! Again, thank you all. He is just thrilled with all of his gifts.
Over all it was a fun success. Our little guy rang in his one year with a super fun time. Beautiful weather, family, great friends, good food and good cake! Can't ask for much more right? Well, we only wish we could have had Nate there with us. I know Finley would have had an even better time with his daddy there!!

I am now exhausted from the party and this post (which I just finished and it's actually Sunday morning now)

Mommy and Finley

Happy Birthday Boy

Just having fun

Grandpa Bill and Finley

It's a Party

Cakes
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Lisa, Anna and my Cousin Kelli


Erin and Lauren

Jessica and Bree

Grandma Patti and Finley


Uncle Josh and Finley (Finley is eating a truck?)


My Mom and Aunt Sue enjoying lunch

Leslie and Melissa


Cousin Connor


Grandpa Greg and Olivia

Mary and Izzy


Playing with Isabel

Lisa and Anna

Getting ready for cake


The bread, the book and the dollar

Smash?

Green and blue make turqoise

mmmm


Lauren enjoying her cupcake

The remainder of the cake

Gift opening time

Hugging his new puppy dog


Presents with his two great helpers Gavin and John

Presents with Aunt Heather and the boys


New Splash Table

Soaking wet from playing in the water