Colton is One!!!!!

Colton turned one on Friday! Can you believe it? Unfortunately he got sick that afternoon - just a bad cold and a slight fever - and he was not his normal, playful self. His birthday party was on Saturday, for which he was also sick. Despite him not feeling great, though, it was a great party and a great time. We missed all our family and friends who couldn't be here with us to celebrate, but we're thankful for the family and friends who were here. Now check out some of the pics - there are a lot! :)

Connie made Colton an adorable 1st birthday bib.

Mommy and Colton. How is he already 1?!?

Grammy and Colton. :)

The spread - we had lots of yummy food (homemade guacamole dip w/ chips, sugar cookies shaped and decorated like bananas - a big hit with the kids, banana bread, cupcakes, and a monkey cake) and it was all eaten up during the party!

I made this little banner and hung it opposite the food/drink table in the dining room. It consisted of all his "monkey pictures" through 11 months. We took pictures of him next to his sock monkey at 3 weeks, 7 weeks, 16 weeks, 5 months, 6 months, 8 months, and 11 months to document his growth.

The monkey cake! I came up with the idea but Ross decorated it! He is so good!

Another view of the table.

Our family. I'm so blessed!

Grammy and C, again.

Colton got some play time at the party. It was awesome for him to enjoy time with and around other babies/kids. In this picture he's getting his balance...

...so that he can walk! He's walking a lot now - definitely more than he's crawling.

Playing.

Connie, Mark, and Nana were able to join us at the party via Skype! We wish that they could have been here in person but they added to the festivity of the party with their monkey party hats, noisemakers, and celebratory attitudes! :)

PS: Look at all the presents!!!

Another pic of the decor on the food/drink table. It just looked so cute! :)

Singing 'Happy Birthday' to C. He was so curious about why everyone was singing to him!

He wasn't sure what to do with the cupcake.

...so he knocked it off his tray and onto the ground! But then I gave him a taste of the frosting. He wasn't a huge fan.

But he did like the cake!

In the end, he was over the cake.

A view of the party from the back of our garden. Our apartment is on the bottom floor and those wonderful french doors open up to our amazing patio and yard. We are really blessed to have such an amazing, private outdoor space in the middle of Florence!

Colton had tons of gifts to open, thanks in large part to family from America! Here he is opening Uncle Jeff's card and gift. Uncle Jeff thought it would be hilarious to give him a girl's card - and Colton actually kind of liked it! :)

Colton got an amazing Puma track suit from Grandma Great and Grandpa Grandpa! It seems that they know his style! :) In this picture he's saying, "Whoa, this Puma outfit is WICKED COOL!"

Colton really wanted some bath toys and Aunt Jenn and Uncle Nate helped fulfill that wish. He was pumped!

He also loved his car (and his other wooden toys) from Mor-Mor. He loves cars!

Colton also got amazing gifts from the Stowers side of the family. Unfortunately the friend who took pictures for us didn't get any of those! We'll search the cameras of our friends soon and try to find some - but Colton LOVES the amazing books, clothes, and toys that y'all sent for him!

To end the birthday extravaganza, Colton played some more! Enjoy these closing pics - and check out his awesome birthday shirt! :)

Artistic shot of our sweet, runny-nosed 1-year-old looking out to his future. :) The sky is the limit!