Gates's First Birthday Party!

We had Gatesy's birthday party on Saturday and it was so much fun. I did not really get many pictures. I got a couple, and here they are. She doesn't like cake, yet... Here she is with her little cake, blowing out her candle.

The only picture with the hat on. Not a fan of this hat! Maybe next year.

My friend Courntee came from Clovis and I finally was able to meet her cute little son, Remy.

My cute little nephew Charlie!

Lots of playing!

She loved all her presents!

And was TOTALLY wiped out at the end.

Gates is One Year Old!!

It all began one year (and a day) ago! The most rewarding, happiest, most fun, most difficult, most exciting, most challenging job of my life! Motherhood. It all began when this little baby was born and blessed our lives in ways we could never imagine. It is so very difficult for me to believe that she is already one year old (and I am also patting myself on the back that she is still in one piece!) I have said it once and I will say it again, there is no way of knowing what is about to hit you when you have a baby. It is all new. It is all different. Your life ceases to be about you. It is now about this person that you instantly love and adore, and your mission is to try and shape her into a happy, healthy, human being. Here we are!

Yesterday morning Brandon stayed home from work and the two (three if you count scrabble) went in to greet the Birthday Girl! Good Morning Gatesy.

We got ready to go to playgroup at Tiffanie's house and took a couple of photos before we left. Mommy and Gatesy.

Gatesy with her main man. Daddy!

After playgroup my mom and dad came over to give Gates her birthday gift. This fabulous wagon, which was a HUGE hit around here! Seriously, she was in it for a long time!!!

Dunc checking it out, thinking it looks kinda cool. Grandear waving as Gates passes by.... again.

Yes! Dunc gets to try the thing out too! This will come in handy for our sweet, club-footed doggie.

BoPop and Gatesy strolling back and forth, up and down, round and round!

Then my dad left for a Ranger game, and mom, Brandon, Gates and myself went to the park (in the wagon) for a picnic. I told mom we could pull her in it too, since she has to get a new hip. She refrained.


Grandear and Goose.

Our family has changed a bit in this year. We are a happy three, looking forward to many more celebrations with our little miracle.

Easter!

As I have told YOU ALL time and time again, I was working for Easter. Brandon had a weekend full of plans for he and Gatesy. I asked him to please document every single moment, and you should have heard me asking questions when he called me! I just hated to miss out, and wanted to know every detail... Anyways, they had a spectacular weekend, and I am glad about that. Brandon took Gates to church and he said they had to stage exit left, when Gates continued "singing" when the praying had started! I am so happy that he took her, and know it was a big effort on his part.
PreEaster mom and dad came to see us, before I left town. Here is BoPoppy and Gates. On Saturday Brandon went to visit his mother and his sisters, two of which were home from college. Here is a great picture of Gates and Aunt Allison.

Susu and Gatesy

Gates, Susu, and Laura (becca in the background)

Gates with her grandmother and aunties.

After lunch they went over to Rodney and Carianne's house to dye eggs. I am so thankful that Gates got to dye eggs, even if she had no idea what was happening, I am happy she got to start that tradition! Thanks Carianne!! Here are Clayton and Gates playing... Cute Cousins, huh?

Clayton has a rockin' playroom, Gates was in awe, I am sure.

B said that Gates LOVED this slide more than anything else!

MawMaw and Gates. Thanks for taking care of my family MawMaw!

Sunday, after church they headed to Kristy's house for an egg hunt and Easter feast!

Kristy and Gates

Love the suit, Luke!!

Prehunt lineup!

Found an Egg!

Dallas Arboretum

Our first visit to the Arboretum was a success! We enjoyed it, and it was a perfect day.

The Lord Has Risen. The Lord Has Risen, Indeed!

A week early you say? True, we are celebrating Easter on Palm Sunday. Mainly, because I have to work next Sunday. So the Easter Bunny hit our house this morning, and left a basket and some eggs for our baby. I am glad that he came early, as I would hate to miss Gates's first Easter ;)
My mom was trying to plan a time where we could get together and have an Easter dinner. I suggested next Friday. She said OK, and called back 5 seconds later and told me that she did not feel right celebrating Easter on Good Friday. I agree, semi-sacreligious???
So, Gates really LOVES these plastic Easter eggs. She LOVES opening them. I never thought she would be so into these eggs, and so I did not fill them. :0
I just kept telling her they are empty. Like the tomb. ;)
Finally, Brandon went and filled one with goldfish, and she really enjoyed opening that one and eating up the fish. So, if you have not already celebrated Easter, fill your eggs!!!!

No pictures of an Easter dress, you may say??? Because two buttons fell off of her dress, when I put it on her. Sew them back on, you say??? They are cloth covered buttons, and I am not that good with a needle. So, here she is in her pjs. still cute, if you ask me.

Day in The Park...

Riding one of those things.. She loves all of the bark at the park. Swing Low Sweet Chariot