James and Marc's First Birthday Party!

On Saturday February 19th we celebrated the boy's first birthday with a Dr. Seuss themed party. We invited a few friends and family members to celebrate the big day with us. The boys sported a Thing 1 (Marc) and Thing 2 (James) t-shirts, we had green eggs and ham, their birthday cake with a Thing 1 and Thing 2 plus a hat like Cat in the Hat's hat. Marc came down with a cold the day before, so he wasn't feeling well (you can tell by some of the pictures) but the boys still had a good time. We had a few games for the adults and kids and enjoyed one anothers company.

Billy, Marc, James and myself before the boys opened presents.

The food

Here is our green eggs and ham...I am sure we will have many more green eggs over the next several years! :)

Grandpa Marc holding Marc

Here Marc is playing with a balloon. Both he and James LOVED the balloons and played with them for several days after the party. It didn't seem to bother them when the balloons popped! (Notice how Marc is sitting...he doesn't like to sit on his bum, but instead he prefers to sit like this)

Billy and Marc opening a present

I think James enjoyed playing with the bags and wrapping paper more than the presents :)

James opening a present

The Cakes...thank you Leah, you did an amazing job!!!

James dove right into his cake...he loved playing in it. He definitely made a mess and I'm not sure how much he actually got into his mouth, but he got some!

LOVE HIM!

LOVE HIM TOO!!! But Marc didn't want anything to do with the cake. Notice how it is almost untouched on the floor. Thanks Grandma Margaret for helping out!

We had a fun time and can't believe the boys are a year old already. I also realized how much work it takes to plan and carry out a birthday party. My mom always did birthday parties for us at our house and I now can really appreciate all the effort she put into them. Happy birthday to Marc and James...WE LOVE YOU!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARC AND JAMES!!!

A year ago today, our two "little monsters" were born. It was one of the best days of our lives and we have really enjoyed this past year we have had to spend with Marc and James. It is crazy how quickly time flies and we are trying to treasure every moment before they really grow up!

A year ago today, cousin Richard also left on his mission. That means he is half way done with his mission and we miss him but are so proud of him! February 18th is a big day for our own little family as well as our extended family and we are so grateful things worked out so we could celebrate this year mark with Richard! (even if it is a blanket!)

Marc, Richard and James

(It was late and the boys were tired...so please excuse the lack of smiles!)

February 18, 2010 Stats

Marc - 4lbs 9oz and 18.5 inches long

James - 4lbs 12oz and 19 inches long

February 18, 2011 Stats

Marc - 22lbs 7.5oz and 31 inches long

James - 21lbs 2oz and 31.25 inches long

We have been blessed with healthy, fun, active and loving boys. Marc is so close to walking and has taken several steps by himself. James is right behind him, balancing on his own and cruising quickly along everything. They boys love pulling things out of cabinets, opening and closing doors, opening the toilet lid and playing in the water (gross!) and they seem to have their own language. It is so cute...they seem to talk to each other throughout the day and really do interact with each other. They have always played so well together, however, they are now starting to react when the other one takes a toy away from them. They definitely keep me on my toes!

Marc and James, mom and dad love you so much! We love the smiles and how much you love us and each other. We can't wait for the years that are ahead and all the good times we will continue to have together. WE LOVE YOU BOTH!

Visitors

In January, we were so lucky to have some visitors come to town. My Grandpa Hill decided that he wanted to plan a trip to come out and visit me and my family. He just turned 89 years old and made all the plans to come see us. My mom, dad and Grandma Hill all joined him. I seriously felt so lucky, loved and blessed to have such wonderful grandparents who want to make such a long trip to come and visit me. I seriously am so blessed! (I told my grandpa that I brag about him all the time. I mean, how many people have a grandpa who wakes up every morning, walks to the local junior college, climbs the bleachers, does chin-ups, push-ups and sit-ups everyday and is 89 years old...not many! I think he is amazing and so cool!)

Marc and Grandpa (my dad) hanging out together

Here is James drinking from a cup without a sippy lid. He loved having Grandma help him!

Here are Marc, Great Grandma Hill, James and Great Grandpa Hill hanging out. I love them all so much! (By the way, my grandma is the coolest too! I have the fondest memories of shopping with her and picking out lots of clothes. We bonded best at the mall! :))

Here is a four generation picture with my dad, me, Marc, Great Grandma Hill, James and Great Grandpa Hill.

We had a birthday celebration for Billy with my family. My sister Christi is the biggest football fan ever! She loves the 49er's and since they are in the same division as the Cardinals, her and Billy get into arguments teasing one another who is better. (Let's be honest, neither team was good at ALL this year!) Christi was really cute though and really wanted to get Billy a Cardinals jersey. She was so excited it was so cute!

Here is Billy's birthday cake! :) I want to take a cake decorating class so next year's cake will be better looking!

Our cute family! Marc is trying to blow out the candles that aren't even there yet. I love it! Or maybe he just wanted a piece!

I love my boys so much. These are the precious and priceless faces I get to see everyday! These smiles just melt your heart. I am so lucky!

I couldn't resist sharing this picture! And to think that my boys are almost a year old and will be walking before we know it! It's so sad how quickly they have grown up!!!