Maddie's First Birthday Party!

Maddie's birthday party extravaganza began early on Saturday morning. Nana was hard at work on Maddie's cake (and cup cakes). She brought her icing gear all the way from Houston and did an amazing job!
Katie did what she does best ... made beautiful eye lashes! She put the chocolate sprinkle lashes on with tweezers!

Maddie's party was at a park ... yes ... outside in Saint Louis in April! We were a bit crazy to try and plan something outside, but we did! The weather folks predicted rain all day, but Maddie made it hold off. Although it was a little on the cool side, the rain held off (for the most part)! We also had a HUGE pavilion to party under.

Tyler gave Maddie a beautiful gift.

Maddie had a very special giraffe cake because the first toy Maddie ever could see was the giraffe from her pack and play. He has been her favorite toy for almost this entire year. Maddie has many, many new giraffes, but the original, tiny giraffe is still the best!

Maddie had her own personal cupcake with a hot pink 'M' on top.

Maddie, Teddy, and Katie went for a walk around the park. They looked at all the spring flowers.

Cute photo with Aunty Katie!

Maddie went and played on the playground for a little while before her guests arrived. She just loves this duck! Every time we go to the park, she goes right to him!

Maddie LOVES the slide!

(although her face does not really show it in this photo, huh?!)

Daddy made a fire pit!

Maddie gave lots of love. It is her new favorite thing to do ... we all love it!

Maddie and Megan ...

We filled the pavilion with people and we ate and talked and had a nice time!

Maddie met her second cousin, Addison, who came in all the way from Jefferson City!

Maddie had some fruit to eat from Donna's famous pudding. Mmmmm ....

Silly daddy.

Maddie saw her Great Grandpa and Grandma Henley who drove in from Jefferson City! We had family from all over!

Maddie got a piggy back ride from her Teddy. She inspected his hat.

... tried to remove the button ...

Could Teddy look any happier?!

Miss Nola Jane came to the party in another cute outfit!

Young Mr. Bed arrived in style. He is such a big, manly man! The only boy in our group ... and he LOVES it!

Claudia arrived in a cute purple rain coat.

(She and daddy look a little tired in this photo)

Quauum arrived ready for the rain ... with his birthday game face on!

Maddie and her Great Aunt Carolyn and her cousin Rachel - all the way from Palmyra!
Kevin, Breyen, Nancy, and Lora all showed up for some cake and fun! Breyen is getting so big too! What happened to all the babies?!
Grandma Hamilton stole a little Maddie time.

Then it was time for the big moment ... the birthday cake!

(Tyler was great help at blowing out the candle ... my favorite part is when he used the icing as dip ... a man after my own heart!)

After all the fun and excitement (and sugar!) Miss Maddie crashed! She fell asleep right away!

She stayed asleep in Grandma Ankle (said "aen-clay")'s arms. Sadly, daddy woke her up. She was not pleased at all ...

... but he helped her open all her MANY MANY MANY MANY gifts. She really took in a serious amount of gifts. I have never seen anything like it ... oh no ... wait ... I forgot about Christmas!

Daddy wore one of Maddie's new headbands. What a handsome daddy!
Maddie had a wonderful birthday party day. We were very lucky with the weather and very lucky to have so many friends and family members at the party. Maddie is a very lucky girl and has so many people who love her. Thank you to everyone who came in from out of town and those that braved the weather to come out to the park. It was such a special first birthday!

(if anyone has any other photos to add, please send them along via email ... I will keep adding so keep checking)