Happy {First} Birthday, Sweet Evie!

I am in complete disbelief that this most precious girl is one year old.  This last year has brought transitions, heartache, hardships, and chaos, but through it all this sweetheart has given us such joy.

Evie woke up at around 8 on her birthday morning in such a sunshine-y mood.  I made her favorite oatmeal for breakfast, and then while the others watched their Saturday cartoons, I took her for a mile long buggy ride, just Evie and Mommy.  We looked for birds, stopped to smell some flowers, and chatted about how fun it is to be one. 

She played when we got back and then I put her down for a birthday nap.  A birthday nap is different from a regular nap because it's on her birthday.  😉
While she was sleeping, she got this sweet message from Aunt Beth that I want to preserve here in her memories.

It was no secret that we were surprised by our Evalynn, but it is also quite evident to us now that she was sent directly with purpose, as part of His greater plan for a type of goodness we certainly don't deserve.

When Evie woke up, she opened her present from Natalee.  Big sister had decided she wanted to get her a new birthday outfit.

We got her dressed in her new duds and then found a headband to match, which she left on for approximately 10 minutes. 

We didn't do a formal birthday party because {pandemic}, but she is such a loved baby girl.  On Wednesday, Papa George and Grammy Sara came up to love her and give her a gift, so she got to start celebrating a few days early!  Isn't that lucky!?

We've already gotten four walks out of her new birthday buggy!  So much fun!

She loves it, and we had a fun night with Grammy and Papa - more details about their visit right here.

Papa Curtis thought he might be cutting silage, but the cutters weren't quite ready for him so he and Grandma Num came on up for Ev's birthday.  Grandma is doing great with her knee replacement recovery and we're glad she felt able to make the drive up.

They arrived shortly after Evie woke from nap, and Mike started up the grill to put on some hamburgers and hot dogs.  Lauren and Theo decided to surprise us with a trip over, too, and helped celebrate our big girl!

We couldn't have asked for better weather for a little girl's birthday.  We just sat around, the kids played, and we enjoyed the back yard.

Papa Curtis and the boys put together Evie's birthday present from him and Grandma.

A new play house!

Hammocks are so inviting.  

Mike got the hamburgers and hot dogs done and we had an afternoon lupper.  Evie was excited to see the food and tied right into hers.  She loved the watermelon, and Aunt Lauren lobbied for her to be able to have some ketchup for her burger and french fries, which she thought was simply delightful.

She took to dipping right away!

Evie ate.  And ate and ate and ate.  Instead of doing cake right away, we let her down to play and then opened her presents.

All of the older siblings wanted to treat their baby sister to birthday gifts.  Zayden got her a toothbrush and toothpaste and he gave her his fold out Micky couch.  Giving a gift of something that is your own that you love is a very selfless act for a child.

Mia also gave Evie a gift of something that was her's - 2 of her stuffed animals.  She included new sand toys and a $1 bill in her package, that she'd taken from her own piggy bank.  I'm continually amazed at the children's generous hearts.

Xavier chose sand toys also, because we figured a few new things would be good for everyone to share! 

Evie's big gift from Mommy and Daddy was the sandbox, but we also got her some new noise making books (our old farm noise book was so worn out the cow sounded sick and the rooster couldn't doodle-doo anymore) and a big girl water bottle.

The boys checked the new books over for quality control.  A farm one and a things that go one.

Mia helped Evie try out her new sand toys and then we brought out the cake.

Evie loved us singing to her!

Double chin grin.

She also love frosting, particularly the sugar frosting roses that our friend Miss Kathy gave us.  They really made the cake so sweet!

She was real serious about her frosting, but when they helped her get to the cake she decided no thanks.  Just as well - sugar roses are enough sweet for one little girl's belly.

So glad Lauren reminded us to take a picture with our birthday girl.

The 4 eager older siblings helped with the cupcake decorating.

 

I'm no cake decorator - this little smash cake took way too much of my mental energy and physical time, but I was happy to give it my best effort for our sweetheart.
All that energy for 10 minutes of destruction - ha.  The aftermath.

A quick clean up - again - and then Evie ran off her sugar, played hard, and, of course, posed for some pictures.

I paused her to put an outfit on, and as soon as I set her back down she peddled over to Papa as fast as she could go. 

Hey cousin, I like you!

Grandma and Papa got on the road for home, and we went on a walk/bike ride/buggy ride before Lauren and Theo left.

After Lauren and Theo headed out, Mike bathed our birthday girl, and then we read books, snuggled her up, told her how loved she is, and put her to bed early.

She was so tired.

Sacked out - didn't even notice I came in for a picture.

Evalynn, you are going to do big things in the world because you already live with the view that there are no limits.  You climb, run, understand big ideas, and keep up with four older siblings.  You laugh, you love, and you enjoy each day.  We are so thankful for your life, your health, and the joy you have given to our family.

Happiest of birthdays, sweetheart.  We love you.  And now....you are 1.