Conner's Birthday!!!

Conner had a great Birthday and we all had a ton of fun. What a wonderful year and how lucky we are to have him in our lives!!

Here he is when we went to get him out of his crib in the morning singing "Happy Birthday". He was SO excited.

His first gift of the day. He is a pro at opening presents now...trust me we know :)

"What is this you guys?"

"What you mean there are BIG spoons?!?"

"Dad let me share this awesome breakfast with you."

Watching is Birthday party video from Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd.

Playing with his birthday balloon.

Birthday food....

Playing Angry Birds with Uncle David

He really likes spoons....

Opening presents

This one was a bit harder....

So we climb on top. 

"A carseat? It is about time guys, I'm a big boy and need a big boy carseat!"

Are you noticing a theme? 

Cake smash time. 

"Why would I eat one when I can have two??"

This guy is so sweet and so funny and sure loved his cupcake. We can't believe he is one already and we're super proud of all he's learning! He's a joy!

Our Christmas Tree

Growing up we always had to go out and cut down our Christmas Tree and it became quite the family tradition and we all LOVED doing it. So now that we live in the "country" of Northern Virginia with a Christmas Tree Farm 10 minutes down the road you BET we went and got our own tree!!

Here is our fearless leader ready to enact his manly saw using skills. 

The rest of the men on the expedition.

Finding the tree and doing our "Tree Dance."

Cutting the tree down....

Ben's turn to cut....

"Why are they taking so long?? It is windy out here!!"

It takes two....

"Yeah! They got it!!"

Packed up and ready to go!! 

Wait what is this you ask? No pictures of a trimmed tree and putting it up?!? We have our priorities....Ohio State vs. Michigan! Go Buckeyes!! We got home, put the tree in water and then headed to a restaurant that was showing the game and got us some great entertainment and good eats! Conner enjoyed it! This is when he learned how to do "Touchdown!"

Snow Shoeing Trip

The weekend after Hurricane Sandy we went on a trip to West Virginia with Sarah and Ben. Little did we think that they were in a National State of Emergency! And even had the National Guard out there!!  Come on we just wanted to see the snow!! 

We drove the three hours and then add on at least another 1-2 hours for finding the hotel, and then once we got there we realized why we couldn't find it...no electricity and and no lights anywhere....made for a difficult time. So with no internet and phones or electricity or HEAT, yes no heat in 20 degree weather, they had no clue that we booked the hotel on a third party website and so sent us to a lodge where they had gotten electricity that morning. Yeah for heat!!!

The next morning we had the best French Toast I have ever had and went out on our adventure! Conner was a very tired and cold little boy since the lodge where we stayed while the other couple went snow shoeing and so stayed bundled. Eventually he fell asleep in my arms while we watched some football. He is a good sport and was very happy and super cute. We had to give him his first snow experience but he just sat there looking around and kicking his foot until finally he just looked at me like "Mom, I'm done. This place is cold!" So back inside we went. :)

Here he is being so cute while waiting for us to get all dressed up. 

Ready for his first snow!!

"Mom, Aunt Sarah is weird...."

"Hey this looks fun!"

"Ok, i'm over it now...."

"Can we go back in??"

Here we are out in the middle of no where! It was SO quiet and beautiful! We just stopped and listened sometimes and looked around. Ok let's admit that I had to stop to catch my breath....this snow was deep! And quite the workout! 

Conner passed out from a day hard at play!