Dear Eli,
Daddy and I started planning your birthday almost immediately after you were born. We knew that your first birthday had to be extra special. Almost every day we had new ideas and themes and we changed them almost as often. We wanted the day to have lots of meaning and we knew we wanted to do it ourselves. This was going to be a special day, one where everyone we loved, and everyone who loved you, would get to celebrate how amazing you are.
I had grand ideas of big, elaborate, plans, but daddy said I should wait until you were old enough to remember. He finally convinved me to scale it down. Pretty early on, we decided it would be a honey bear theme, as you were our little bear from day one. We didn't necessarily pick the bear to be your totem animal, it just happened that way. I think if it was up to me, it would have been an owl, and daddy would have chosen a buffalo or bison, or something just as American and manly as those. But, the bear it was. You showed us just how strong and powerful you were from the very beginning. My pregnancy was dangerous, and you made it through with flying colors, you were 3 weeks early and were born strong and healthy, and you had surgery on your beautiful little head at 2 months old and came through even stronger, yes, you were our amazing little bear.
Everything at the party was handmade by me and daddy and friends and family helped us out as well. I'll let some of the pictures speak for themselves:
Home made photo board of the first 365 days of your life. The background was a honeycomb pattern that I handpainted.
First Bike!
Yummy all homemade treats.
Beautiful Birthday Boy!
Treats, treats, and more treats.
First bite of cake!
Bears and honey!
What is this stuff?
Oh boy! You guys have been holding out on me!
Opening presents. I think you liked what you saw.
You love Grandpa Alan.
Treat tables.
Hey grandma, don't squeeze so tight!
Mama made you your cake. We bought you that little bear at Yellowstone on your first road trip.
Papa Russ.
Grandpa's gift to you was a Rody!
First taste of cow's milk. You liked it!
You weren't so sure about it at first.
Hold me?
This was your favorite gift from uncle David Jr.
Birthday boy!
So many presents!
Ellison showing you how it's done!
More cake!
Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you,
Happy Birthday Dear Eli, happy birthday to you!
You love grandpa.
Nana and papa.
Yuck, I don't really know what to do with all this sugar.
Smooches.
What is that?
Treats!
And more treats and honey favors!
Candy!
Lots of people who love you!
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| Nana's little twin. |
