Boone Raef Likes to Party...

We celebrated Boone's first birthday this past weekend with some of our family.


The theme was all things flannel, outdoors & bears for our little "Booner Bear" who has already spent a great deal of time on many an outdoor adventure in this, his first year of life.

We had a warm chili bar on a snowy day along with lumberjack stack sandwiches & wild berries.  We set up a trail mix bar to thank everyone for coming to celebrate, and wish them well as they headed out into the cold winter scape.

 I made a "camp fire" cake which turned out better than I expected and impressed the wee gents.

BUT, what I really should have done is strategically place helium balloons all over the house for the Birthday Boy who was enamored and made his signature face all day long.  :)

He was fun to watch in his buffalo check shirt and his denim.  He didn't do much tearing into presents because his brothers didn't give him much of a chance.  :)

But he was thrilled at each and every gift that people were kind enough to shower upon him.

And then came cake time.

I won't lie to you - as Boone tore it up - I started to sob.

I don't know - this "end of having babies chapter" is really, really rough on my Mama heart.

First birthdays are the epitome of bittersweet - you know?

But just LOOK how happy he is?

I don't think he even sampled a bite of cake, but he did throw it all over the kitchen confetti style.

The audience cheered and clapped and egged him on and *Oh Boy* did he perform.  :)

He is everything you dream of in baby form.  He is happy and care-free and quick to snuggle -- Unless he is running around exploring at mach speed.  He keeps us laughing with his little antics and helps us remember how amazing the little things in life are as he takes it all in with fascination.

Boone Raef... we love you.

Keep on entertaining the world, little man.

Thanks for giving us another reason to party!