July 19th - a day to celebrate two lives.

Well, as excited as I've been with Elaine turning 1, I must also think about something else significant that happened on Thursday. My grandfather, Robert Frost, 88 years old, passed away that evening. I guess in a way it's kind of neat that Elaine got to meet him and bring some joy to him and my grandma in his final year, and there's something uplifting about thinking about new life on a day we are forced to let go of someone else.

In a strange way, it's almost my yearly reminder that life cannot be planned.  We can't predict how birth will happen.  A year ago, I will never forget when the nurse told me Elaine was breech, and that we were going to have to change gears and do a c-section.  And a year later to the day, I'll always remember the phone call from my mom saying he was gone.  No matter how much we plan, we really have to surrender control to a higher power.

As I prepare the eulogy for his funeral that my grandma asked me to deliver, I am reminded of all the fun memories I have of my grandpa.  Here we are at a summer picnic at my parent's house a few years ago.

I even found this photo of us hugging after Eric and I got married!

This HAS to be one of my favorites, it's him dancing at my wedding with my closest friends!  I just love the look on his face. 

Here is one of the times he and Elaine met over the last year.  It is strange to think how these two are now tied together in this day of remembrance.

One more photo of us together makes me smile to recall how much he meant to us.  We will miss you, Grandpa.  

Lainey-bug is 1!

Well, it was a successful Ladybug party!  I've uploaded plenty of photos for those unable to attend.  Here is the cupcake and drink table.  White and red velvet to choose from, and red kool-aid and water in the jugs.  The lighting wasn't great so it's hard to see the banners I made, but that was hanging above it.

Here is pin-the-dot-on-the-ladybug.  I think Alivia and Quinn managed to play before they left.

Here's one of the tables - favors included ladybug water bottles and ladybug beach balls!  Also we had to throw in some party hats for good measure.

Had to get a closeup of the red gerber daisies!  They went so well with the theme.

This photo was taken later on (again, I might have to get a REAL camera seeing how lousy these came out) but I did red Twizzlers, black and white M&M's, and red Swedish fish in tall glass canisters.

Here is the birthday girl in her new dress, reading her new book, on her new table!  She LOVES the chairs and is adorable sitting there just smiling away at us.  She and the girls were just gabbing here.

Elaine dons a party hat and chats with Quinn and Alivia.

Here is a couch shot of all the kiddos in attendence.  Left to right we have Elise, JD, Burke, Elaine, Quinn and Alivia!  It was nothing short of a miracle just getting them to sit still long enough for this picture.

One more closeup of these three - SO adorable!

The moment has arrived - for CAKE!!  Elaine has already ripped off her special bib that says she's 1!

Here is her "1" candle, which Eric helped her blow out.

Her first reaction was not necessarily one of extreme pleasure.  She tasted it out of politeness for the baker, using her dainty food eating mannerisms. 

I think she likes green peas more than cupcakes.  YAY!  I was able to Skype in my parents for this portion of the party, since they were unable to come at the last minute due to a death in our family.

Here is Eric at the tail end of the gift opening!  So many wonderful gifts from our friends and family!  We are so blessed.

Here she is having a ball playing with her newest toy from Aunt Amy. 

What a party!  Of course we had to dress theme too!  It was a really fun way to celebrate her turning one year old.  She will get to see her cousins and open a couple more gifts in Peoria next weekend, as we are heading back to mourn our family's loss. 

Fun in the Sun!

Well, the last two weeks have been scorching!  We've been making the most of the hot weather and enjoying these dog days of summer.  Last weekend, Eric shared one of his passions for art and finally gave Elaine a long anticipated "baby tour" of the Art Center.  She liked it so much there was lots of squealing and excitement.  Afterwards, we dined in the restaurant.  Delicious as always.

Here are the father-daughter pair outside by the sculpture in the reflecting pool.  Since we couldn't take photos inside, this was one of the only photos we could get.

We kicked off the 4th of July week with a fun little red polka dot number.  Somehow, I managed to find a whole week's worth of red white and blue outfits for our patriotic little lady.

On July 3rd, we had friends over for an informal little grilling and a visit to the parade that goes through our neighborhood.  We dined inside since it was so hot, and here is Elaine and her dinner date, AJ, who is one day older than her.  It was fun to see how they are doing all the same things!

Here is a photo (in age order) of a few of our little ladies all under a year old.  The baby on the right is one month old!

Wednesday July 4th, we suited up to meet the Thongvanhs at the pool!  We had a ball playing in the fountains, and we love how new it is and how much there is to do for Elaine.  I managed to go down a few waterslides and it was a great way to cool off from the heat!

Saturday, we were still thinking about how awesome our trip to the pool was on Wednesday, so we went back for more!  This time Elaine knew what her favorite things were, and she launched herself into the fun!

I just could not get enough of her reactions and laughter from these fountains.  She can walk holding our hands and just had a ball!

A few more of my absolute favorite pictures I know I will cherish for years to come.  My three greatest passions - my husband, my daughter and the water!

Here she is loving life on papa's shoulders.

I think we will be spending even more time here soon!