Weekends in MO - Part 1

Well this is the first of two posts. Seriously, they are long. But I know you Bloggers love a long good post with a million pictures, so hush up :)

I went home to Missouri the last two weekends. Flew back from Trip 1 on a Sunday, and then Trip 2 started the following Friday. They were both whirlwind weekends, chock full of babies and family visits and weddings and friends. But I loved it, and had such a great time getting to catch up with my nearest and dearest. Anyway. Here is Version 1 - the Laney's First Birthday edition :)

Liz, Liz and April got the babies together for a long-overdue playdate!! The girls are all 3 months apart - March, June and September of 2007. It's really fun to watch how they interact, and what stages they are all at, and imagine where each will be in 3 more months. They seriously are my three favorite baby girls on earth!!

Charlotte and Ella give kisses!

All three babies play with the balloons from Laney's party. They were very intrigued!

Liz has a great new dress-making business, and she brought dresses for the girls. This is the back of Laney's. They are SO sweet!! And very comfy for three really active babies!

One of my favorite pictures of April and Ella.

My sister's cat Truman was clearly not amused by all the children invading his house. His ears convey his feelings :) He was very tolerant of all the screeching and hair-pulling though!

The mommas and their babies. This is the 97th attempt to get a picture with all six looking at the camera. It almost worked :)

And now - on to the birthday party!!

Fifty of Liz and Josh's favorite friends and family piled into their house to celebrate Laney's first birthday! It was loud and chaotic and completely fun. Elena got to have her first taste of yummy cake too, and she was very excited about it.

A little sugar-crazed by this point.
Hey! Where did my cake go?
Laney with her Aunt Ruthie! And the stuffed cow.

Some of my favorite people on earth! Laney, Dad, Charlie, Ruthie, Aunt Yaya, Mom. Love them.

Another family shot with Grandma De. It was such a blessing to get to see my grandparents this weekend! They came in town for the birthday festivities.

The Looten Family - love Elena's face in this picture.

On our way to Sam's Club. Laney sure loved her cow that Aunt Jess gave her :) It's very snuggly!
April joined me for some shopping at Target - our favorite store ever!
Ruth and I enjoyed some serious shop-o-rama. This lovely self portrait is right inside the Old Navy store, after being caught in an absolute monsoon downpour on the way out of Target. We were seriously soaked head to toe, and I was soooo glad I'd spent so long straightening my hair that morning!!! Love the Missouri humidity. Why bother with a straightener?!

April and me inside Old Navy. It was the Best Friend Weekend there - good thing she was with me!! Please note the drowned rat hair we're sporting :)
The Price sisters plus a Looten after church.

I had a great weekend with my family and friends this trip home. We laughed a ton, and just really celebrated our lives with Laney Bear. She was for sure the star of the weekend!! She's not even my child, but I can't imagine life without her.

And thanks to my sweet friends who went out of their way to make time to hang out - Liz and April, you guys are the best.

Coming up......the second weekend home!!