Kinley's 1st Birthday!

Hey guys! 

It's been awhile since my fingertips have graced the keyboard in the form of a blog...AKA long time no see! A couple of exciting things have happened in our lives since the last time I blogged and I decided I needed to document them here.

Towards the end of last month we celebrated my niece's 1st birthday! I flew into Austin and was able to spend the entire weekend with my family celebrating our sweet Kinley. 

The day I arrived, she decided she wanted to go through my wallet. She pulled out and examined every single card I had in there.

We spent that day/evening baking and icing cupcakes and her cake, making signs, and resting up for the party. Mom cooked spaghetti and garlic bread for everyone and we spent several hours visiting. It rained all day so Alyssa decided to move everything into the garage. She had planned on having the party in the backyard so the kids could play outside and everyone could enjoy the fresh air, but was a good sport about having to change her plans. You can't control everything!

Spaghetti face! (And bib, and arms, and hands...)

Putting her to bed and taking selfies!

The morning of Kinley's birthday we all got up as soon as we heard a peep out of her on the monitor and sang her happy birthday complete with showering her with balloons! 

This picture warms my heart so much because she had just woken up and was probably wondering what we were all doing in there singing to her, but look at that little grin! 

All dressed and ready for her birthday party! Her party was Alice in Wonderland themed...she was Alice!

Time for presents!

Cake tiiiime!

Still haven't stopped laughing at this picture!

Group picture!

Fresh and clean and playing with one of her new stuffed animals with her PawPaw.

That evening we had dinner at Papadeaux and were all in bed pretty early. The next day, Sunday, we had lunch and mom and dad headed back home to Sweetwater while Alyssa, Kinley and I headed to the mall.

I got the cutest little floral dress for K!

Monday it was time for me to head back to Denver. We had lunch at Pluckers, one of my faves in Austin, and couldn't quit giggling at this little one's hair! She took the bow out of her hair which left it looking like this...

* I wanted to share my favorite memory from the weekend so that I don't forget, even though her little face in this moment is forever in my heart.* I was putting her down for a nap one of the days I was there. We were in Alyssa's rocking chair and Kinley had her bottle as I rocked her trying to get her to fall asleep.  Her eyes were fighting to stay open. All of the sudden she opened her eyes, looked at me and grinned real big. I said, "What are you doing silly girl?" She grinned and rolled over onto her stomach and laid on my chest just grinning. It was the most precious moment!

I am so thankful that I got to spend Kinley's first birthday with her and my family! Kinley is such a sweet and precious little soul and I love her so much. I can't believe she is already one! She is definitely a blessing and has made this past year so much fun and filled with love.