Birthdays Galore- Happy 4th Bday Jacob

My very good and old friend (no I am not saying she is old I am saying we have been friends since around 2nd grade...long time) Daniella (I call her Donnie but think I may be the only one anymore : ) has two wonderful sons and last Sunday we went to her oldest sons Jacob's Fourth Birthday Party and had a GREAT TIME!!! Happy 4th Birthday!!

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Here is the birthday boy ready to dive into his Little Einstein Cake- it was delicious!!

And here is Daniella with Jacob opening presents

Jacob opening Joeys present to him and as you can see Joey and Jacob's little brother Benjamin are in the pic but not paying a whole lot of attention to the present opening : )

Joey loved the pin the tail on the blow up donkey!

and he loved the tunnel, we could hardly keep him out of it for other kids to get a turn.

All kids favorite tissue paper!!!!

Choo Choo...all aboard the sippy express!!! Chugga Chugga

Happy 1st Bday

Happy First Birthday Joey!!!!!

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I wanted to upload more photos but since I have been trying for 3 days to get them to load (as you may know if you tried to call us) I am giving up and will try again later.
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Anyway, here is Joey on his birthday July 19th first thing in the morning we let him open a gift....he had a blast opening it!!!

So then we loaded up and went to the zoo.

Here is Joey and Dad with the black bears.

Joey and I looking at a bird, I didn't realize he was pointing too : )

In front of the elephants

Joey trying to grab a big goat

Looking VERY adorable in the birds nest at Kids Cove.

Joey all excited to eat his cake I made him....well not really he is laughing at his Grampy. Joey is not a big fan of having cake and icing in his hands-a neat freak like his Dad.

Ready to open his gifts.

On his fire truck Mom and Dad got him.

Joey's First Birthday Party

On Saturday we had Joey's First Birthday party and we had a great turnout of well over 25 people. Joey had a blast!!!!
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Here is the front of the house all done up with decorations and a big Happy Birthday banner.

And here is Joey's First Birthday cake ever!!! and it was delicious too!

A quick pic with Mom and Dad before the guests arrive

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Joey was not too pleased to be dressed up and put in his high chair while all the other kids run around and play. The look on his face says it all : )

Then when we gave him his cake he poked and poked it, but would not dig in. He is a picky eater and does not like mushy stuff.


So finally Dad shoved his hands in and he did NOT like that!!!

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Then came present time! You can see his cousin Dominic really wanted a turn in the Big Orange Rocker!!

Finally some pics of the FUN part - bubble and play time!!!!
Here he is trying to "catch" bubbles with his cousin Abbie and his friend Luke.

Catching bubbles again from the ball pit this time.

Chillin' in the ball pit.

Bragging Rights

Its time to brag on a very special member of our family, Joey's Mimi. (aka Bill's Mom)

Mimi has spent her precious time and energy (right after having surgery herself I might add) to paint a mural of a garden for a very sick little girl with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. To see the beautiful mural and other details please visit http://www.wbir.com/life/programming/local/liveatfive/story.aspx?storyid=35996 be sure to watch the video.

Mimi - we are so proud of you. Imagine a world where everybody gave a little of themselves everyday.....what a wonderful world this would be. You are a shining example for the rest of us to follow : )

A picture at Christmas of Mimi, Grampy, Abbie, Dom and Joey

A great picture of Joey and his Mimi

Also, be sure to visit Mimi and Grampys Special Place blog at http://www.mimi-and-grampys-special-place.blogspot.com/

Lots of Updates : )

Hi Everybody! I hope everyone had a safe and fun Fourth!!! We had fun as you will see below!! Joey absolutely loved the fireworks.
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As most of you know it isn't long until Joeys First birthday!!!!!! and already he has started getting presents.

This morning there was a gigantic box on the front porch from Fedex addressed to the birthday boy himself, as tall as Joey...so we put him in and let him check it out for himself. You can see he liked it!!

It was Big Orange Vols Rocker from Uncle Rick and Aunt Martha, just the right size forJoey. As Bill unwrapped it he would not let go and wanted to help.

And right away he climbed up and started going to town. You can see it is a big hit!!!

Then he discovered he could stand and rock too!!!! My little fearless boy!!!

All day he has been either sitting or standing in his rocker. He can climb up all by himself and can get down by rocking it forward all by himself!!!! It is a great gift and one that I am sure will be passed down to Joey's own Lil' Vol one day!!!!.
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However, this was not Joey's first gift...that came last week from Laura, Joe, Benjamin and Nicholas Roberts. Benjamin and Nicholas picked out this tool kit for him and he has been carrying it around ever since and can even put the shapes in the right places...well the star and circle : ) He loves to walk around and "drill" things with the play drill. Just like Dad!



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For Joey's first July 4th we spent a quiet day at home.... I had bought some props to try and get Joey to pose as an Uncle Sam. He was not too keen on my idea and here are some of the shots I tried to get...funny : )


We went outside to see the fireworks and use some of our own....and Joey even found his own way to light up with our red,white and blue yard lights.

He loved it when him and Dad lit some sparklers together

Last weekend we went to Huntsville to my cousin Molly's wedding reception. It was a BLAST!!!!!! Here is a great picture of Joey and his Great Aunt Martha (really she is kind of like a Grandma to him -she and Rick spoil him so much! But she sure doesn't look like a Grandma :)

Me, Joey and Bobby - My 3rd cousin and Joey's 4th cousin!!!! I am so glad Joey got to meet him and I hope we get to see him again SOON!!!

Finally a Public Service announcement from Joey....CRACK KILLS!!!!!