Happy 1st Birthday Olivia!

Happy First Birthday Livi Bug! 

Today was such a fantastic day, and Aaron and I are still in shock that our little one is already a year old! We were blessed to have Grandma Erickson, Grandma Laurie, Grandpa Gary, and Uncle Jordan join in the celebration. 

Our little Bug slept in (8:30am), and woke up to find that Grandpa and Uncle Jordan had driven in late last night! She was so excited to see her buddies again. We ate banana pancakes for breakfast (Livi's favorite) and played with her toys until it was time for her morning nap. Daddy went to the airport to pick up Grandma Erickson while Livi slept, so once again, she woke up to another surprise face! I made Livi's favorite lunch for everyone - Macaroni and Cheese and milk. Olivia couldn't figure out why everyone was so intent on watching her eat her lunch, she's such a big girl eating with her own fork.

After lunch it was time to open gifts!!! We had put Livi's gifts on the coffee table and couldn't believe that she hadn't even noticed all the bags and tissue paper! After a little encouragement, she opened her first gift, she was so in love with the bag, that she took off to her room - completely content and oblivious to the table full of gifts left. Grandma Laurie had to go bring her back to finish opening her other presents. Livi received darling dresses from Auntie Chelle and from Grammy and Grandpa Williams. Grandma Laurie, Grandpa Gary and Uncle Jordan gave her a teddy bear sleeping bag (it's a stuffed animal that opens up into a sleeping bag), a set of new forks and spoons, and a Santa Cruz hoodie! Grandma and Grandpa Erickson (and her aunts and Uncle Matt) gave her the cutest little outfit for her new Southern California sunny weather. Auntie Lauren gave her a Beauty and the Beast doll set! We can't wait for her to be able to play with them! From Mommy and Daddy Livi received several books (Shoes Shoes Shoes, The Rainbow Fish, Wacky Wednesday, and a Sesame Street set) - she is our big reader. She LOVES books. Each year on her birthday, we will add to her library. We also gave her a pull cart full of blocks and a Little Tikes mini kitchen (which is slightly possessed - it goes off on its own - because I washed it, not knowing there was a battery operated part). Gift opening was quick, thanks to gift bags and tissue paper - and a huge success.

Then it was time for the grand finale! The Cake! I made Livi her own mini carrot cake, and then made carrot cupcakes for everyone else. We sang Happy Birthday, then Aaron and I helped Livi blow out her candle. With her new fork, and a little help from Daddy, Livi went to town on her little cake. There was mashing and mushing, smearing and smudging. And let's not forget the cake crumbs and chunks that ended up both flying through the air and squashed under Liv's right bottom cheek (her favorite hiding place for food). Thanks to her Grandmas, we managed to save her birthday dress from most of the cake damage.

Olivia is our outdoors girl - come rain, wind, or cold - this little one prefers to be outside. To conclude her birthday celebration we went down to the Santa Monica Pier and the beach to enjoy more time as a family at the coast. Unfortunately, the sun did not cooperate - it was overcast and chilly - but Livi didn't seem to mind. She was quite content to take in the sights, smells, and sounds. She especially loved watching the seagulls around the pier. We even got to see Minnie and Mickey Mouse (although I think they were distant cousins of the "real" Disney Mice).

It was such a fun day to celebrate with our little Bug. Thank you to everyone that celebrated with us, both near and far! Olivia definitely feels loved and adored, and that's thanks to her extended family. Let's face it, life would be pretty dull with just her Mommy and Daddy around.

And to our Olivia - we love you so much Princess. You bring us inexplicable joy. We hope that you enjoyed your special day. Happy 1st Birthday and here's to many more to come!