Birthday Bonfire and Cobbler

For Callie's first birthday we spent a lovely few hours in Homestake, our favorite mountain spot not too far from our home.  We pulled out the camp chairs, spread out a big blanket, and just lounged and relaxed and watched our favorite little one-year-old explore her surroundings.

She's ONE!

Then we busted out the presents.  Grandpa and Grandma Elwood brought a whole box of presents (which we, as parents, added a few to) from them and Great Grandpa and Grandma Elwood and the Aunties from Logan.  Lots of presents to open and new toys to play with, but when you're one and there's dirt and sticks next to the blanket, it can be kind of a tough choice to make.

First present from the grandparents.

She loves turning the pages in books.

Fun new toy . . . but ooh this paper is kind of nice!

Gettin' the hang of the mallet.

Balls and a xylophone and a mallet -
what a great, cute toy from G & G E.

Bright, colorful puzzle with big knobs for gripping from
Auntie Heather (the Logan one).

Aggie game day shirt from the Aggie
Aunties Ky and Meg.

A new bucket hat (that she can't pull off because of that
cute little strap) from Mom and Dad - obviously not too
pleased about said strap at first (but she warmed up to it
pretty soon).

New hiking backpack carrier from
G & G B.

This was a duel daddy-daughter gift
and it is so great!

Not pictured here are a few more gifts for the birthday babe: a blue-striped-with-pink-trim-and-bow romper outfit (can be seen here) from Grandpa and Grandma Elwood, a set of foam blocks and a yellow-and-white-striped zip-up hoodie from Mom and Dad, a shape block bucket from Great Grandma and Grandpa Elwood, a Target gift card from the Farrers, and a darling summer outfit (green shirt with pink flowers and pink-and-white-striped capris topped off with baby-sized pink flip-flops) from the Wihongis (actually is pictured, just not right here - see last photo in this post), plus some cute cards from Great Grandma Gallagher and friend/honorary aunt Jessie.  What a loved little girl we have!

The day was lovely . . . have I already mentioned that?  When we stepped out of the car at our chosen site, the smell of the fir needles plus the dirt plus the sunshine (equals the best smell EVER) created mountain magic in our nostrils.  It was such a treat so spend the afternoon together in the mountains.

Maybe she loved the smell so much she needed to give it a taste?

Too bad it smells better than it tastes, baby girl.

A humorous attempt at a family photo with too many
cameras pointed our way.

 {INSERT PHOTO OF CAL WITH G & G ELWOOD WHEN I GET IT FROM THEM HERE SINCE OUR CAMERA'S BATTERY DIED AT THIS POINT IN THE DAY}

After presents and playing, we gathered up a little firewood and roasted dogs and mallows for dinner.  We even got to put one of Gregg's birthday gifts to use: a hot dog slicer called The Cyclone.  And it really did make a mighty fine lookin' weiner once it was all roasted up.  Chips and coleslaw and water to drink rounded up the meal.  For dessert, instead of cake, we had Dutch oven peach cobbler.  (Only thing we forgot was the #1 candle for her to blow out - oops!)  Cal loved her first super sweet taste of the stuff (and who can blame her?).

{INSERT PHOTO OF COBBLER HERE}

It's crazy to think we've had Callie in our lives for a whole year . . . and yet we can barely remember life without her here.  Here's to many, many more summery birthday celebrations for our girl!


P.S. Here's the birthday girl, celebrating all week with a new outfit (the one from the Wihongis) to wear on Thursday!