Finish up in WA/ Paige 1 year

It was so fun to have Ben finally with us, we mainly just relaxed, squeezed in family time, and played on the lake.

I wanted some updated pictures for our wall, so before we left I had my dad take some quick pictures of us in their yard. The lighting didn't work out too well, but at least it's an updated family photo. (And thanks to Lindsay for editing a few for the wall :)

Little miss thing

LOVE this picture- 12 month photo

Our sweet girl at 12 months:
-names: Paigey girl, Paigey-Paige, sweet girl
-walking everywhere! she was done with crawling at this point
-words: hi, hey, daddy, whoa, uh-oh
-food: whole milk, was mostly done with baby food, loved greek yogurt (demanded it from my parents each morning), waffles, baked beans, pasta, applesauce, really most things I would eat she would try
-only 4 teeth (I think)
-loved the dog and would follow him around
-could go up stairs, but not down
-didn't really like baths (I think it was just my parents big bathtub that scared her)
-liked swimming in her floaty
-thought everything was a hat or necklace
-was too big for her infant car seat and loved being moved to her big kid car seat
-started signaling with her hand when she wanted something
-loved to play with the phone and pretend she was talking on it
-more tricks: waving, clapping, peek-a-boo, recognizing the "skype" sound to talk to Ben
-usually a pretty laid-back girl, but getting harder to entertain and keep quiet in church
-still a great sleeper, but started waking up earlier (my parents' schedule wore off on her)

Here were Paige's stats at 13 months (we had to wait until we were out in North Carolina)
-Head: 18.9" ( 99 percentile)
-Weight: 24 lb (90ish)
-Height: 30" (75ish)

Love our little girl and her fun little personality that is developing more and more!

Trip down memory lane

One day while we were in WA we made a trip to the town I was born in. Ben had complained multiple times how he had never ridden on a fairy, so we drove to Seattle, and caught the fairy there that took us across to Bainbridge Island. It was a little chilly since it was pretty early (ok, and because it's Seattle) but still a fun little ride.

Ben & Paige's first fairy ride!

Still re-couping from Grace & Kyle puking on the drive up

Is that Leonardo DiCaprio? 

After driving through Bainbridge Island, we headed to the cute little town of Paulsbo for a quick stop at the bakery.

Delicious donuts

Then we ate our yummy treats while driving through Bremerton and the old neighborhood. Ben got to see where I first lived, and now thinks my parents' current city is super classy in comparison :)

 Next we stopped at Seabeck to fish for "pogies" (small fish). We did this all the time when I was little and then my dad would find random creatures to teach us about. I love the memories this brought back; I felt like I was 5 years old again.

Gracie girl

We all always learn some strange new fact

Finally we headed home over the Narrows bridge (another first for Ben). It was a fun trip down memory lane...I feel so connected to my roots ;)

Paige's 1 year polka dot party!

  Ben flew in to WA the night before Paige's birthday- there was no way we were celebrating without him! We spent the day playing on the lake, skyped with Ben's parents so Paige could show off her walking skills and say "hi" over and over, and then had some of the Warning side of the family come over for a little party.

Firetruck my dad made and red wagon from when I was little

Red velvet cake and cupcakes

Paige was lucky enough to have great-grandparents at the party

The party-goers

Paige was a very cute birthday girl. She liked opening presents, although didn't understand why we kept taking them from her, she wanted to just sit and play with the first one.

 She loved all the baby dolls she got, and now hugs, kisses, and carries them around.

Then on to the cake! Thank goodness I have a patient family to go along with my crazy demands in decorating help. And a huge thank you to Brandon for making Paige's adorable cake! Don't know what I would have done without his skills!

 At first she was hesitant, looking at us like, "are you really letting me eat this"?, but then she discovered there was cake underneath all that yummy frosting and really dove in. We eventually had to pull her away from it.

And then I realized why maybe red frosting and red velvet cake aren't the best idea with a 1 year-old.... Thank goodness for the outside shower.

After some fresh pajamas she was ready to play again.

With her great-grammie

We love our little girl so much and can't believe she is already 1!

Stars and Stripes

My parents love all things patriotic, so the 4th of July is always fun at their house. The driveway is lined with flags, there are all forms of red and blue table settings, and patriotic CDs to belt to in the car. We also usually have a big gathering with my mom's side of the family. And this year did not disappoint.

Sunday before the 4th, in patriotic outfits of course!

 In keeping with tradition, Gayle's family came the night before to watch the town fireworks (which are overrated, but we entertain ourselves by singing patriotic songs). Then Judd's family came the next day for a BBQ.

Cutest cheeks around

Paige's first tractor ride

That night we celebrated Brandon's birthday and got in some more play time.

Everything is a hat

Cousins!

We fell asleep to crazy fireworks on the lake, while Ben enjoyed fireworks with the Adams and Chungs in Illinois. Stars and stripes forever!