We had a great time on Saturday July 27th surprising Sarah with a tea party bridal shower! Sarah's sisters and Mother planned a great shower, and all the details were perfect! 

For favors they went and bought teacups (Each different) and made "teabags" filled with candies and a "Mark & Sarah tag."

The tables were decorated with teacups, a tea pot, pearls and beautiful vases of flowers. The Zelenkas were able to "make over" their garage into a beautifully decorated room for the party.

 

Everyone brought some recipe cards to share with Sarah (So she can use all her new cookware!)

 

Lots of sweets! Claire, Emily and Mrs. Zelenka baked excellant treats! There were macaroons, blueberry cupcakes, almond cake, and the most gorgeous cake! 

 

Sam the dog was there the whole time celebrating with everyone else! 

 

Everyone mingled and talked while we waited for the big surprise!!!

 

Sarah arrived with the help of Mark, who was able to get her to the party without the slightest idea of what was going on.

 

 

Great job Mark! 

 

There were fun games! The first involved "Newlywed Game" questions, and for every wrong answer Sarah gave. she had to put bubble gum in her mouth!

 

For the second game Sarah had to dress herself blindfolded using the clothes in her "honeymoon" suitcase.

 

 

After all the tea, cake and games it was time to open presents! The happy couple got some great gifts! 

In the end it was a great day filled with laughter, tears and smiles.....and one great Surprise!

Jack had his birthday party at the Peggy Notebaart Nature Museum. He had lots of guests over to celebrate such a wonderful year! 

 

We had a delicious birthday cake from the Twisted Baker- chocolate with fresh raspberry/ cream filling and cream cheese frosting! Jack had his own smash cake! 

 

 

We decorated the museum with balloons and jelly beans! Lots of beautiful colors! 

 

Here is the invitation! Jack looks so happy to tell people he is having a party! 

 

A view of everything together! So colorful! 

Jack and his Mommy and Daddy before the fun begins! 

 

 

We had a special guest to the party- Manny the turtle! All of the kids loved seeing the Manny, and even got to touch him! 

 

 

Next was time to sing to the birthday boy! Happy birthday, Jack! 

 

Jack was very cautious about the cake- he preferred eating the cheerios on his tray! 

 

After the party was over, Jack and his cousins, Sam & Nora,  got to play! What a day! 

Jack turned one on Thursday May 30th. Mommy took the day off work to spend with her big boy, and what a great day it was! 

Bright and early, we woke up and started opening some presents! Jack got to see his new chair for the first time, and settled right into it. 

 

Then Mommy and Jack went to the zoo to see some animals. The seal gave us a birthday swim-by. 

 

After a nice walk it was time for a special birthday breakfast! We went to Elly's and had bunny pancakes! It was such a yummy start to the day! 

 

On the way home from breakfast we picked up a surprise- birthday balloons! How colorful! 

 

When Daddy came home for lunch we got to open more presents! Hurray! 

 

Even birthday boys have to nap! 

 

After the birthday nap, Jack woke up and had special visitors! Gam Gam and Pop Pop came over with a special present- a Radio Flyer wagon! 

 

Then it was time for cupcakes! We sang happy birthday and ate Mommy's red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting! 

 

Happy Birthday to our dear, sweet Jack Jack! You have brought us more happiness than we had ever known, and we can't wait for the many years ahead with our blessed baby boy !

After reading an article on Clickn Moms, I decided to try out a day of pictures for myself. Bringing my camera everywhere- it turned out great, and I am looking forward to trying this monthly. 

 

Breakfast: 

Our morning walk (too the zoo, today no animals were out, but I got an awesome view of the city).

After the zoo, we head to the GCM- Jack played music with the drum man.

 

Naptime. 

Grocery shopping at Treasure Island.

Too cute- Daddy comes home for lunch- look at the excitement in Jack's eyes!

 

 

Bedtime! 

Here is the finished product....

Over the weekend we headed out the park to take family pictures for the holiday season. Both Chris & Jack were great sports. We got some great family pictures, including one with the apartment building in the background. I know that one day, when we are somewhere else in life, we are going to look back at this picture and be brought back to this time. Memories of a one bedroom apartment, morning walks to the zoo, and weekends spent in the park. 

Jack enjoyed the sunny morning- playing with with the grass, sitting up (!) outside, and exploring his front yard.  

 

Happy Thanksgiving! We are so thankful for this beautiful, happy, drool- covered, curious and cuddly boy who has entered our lives and brought us more happiness than we ever could have hoped for. 

Not sure if I could have cuter helper... 

World's best photgraphy assistant.

...who also happens to be the cutest subject! 

World's cutest photography subject.

 

Happy Halloween to our cute little pumpkin! 

Jack celebrated his first halloween with a carefully handmade costume, crafted by his skillful Daddy. When Jack was first born, one of the first movies he watched was "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou." In his excitement, Jack proclaimed, "For Halloween, I will be Steve Zissou!" As his parents are already both tightly wrapped around his little finger- the supplies were found, and his costume was created. 

Introducing Jack Georges, as Captain Steve Zissou.

 

 

 

 

Five and a half months. Already. 

Time for Oatmeal, the first solid food. The beginning in an exciting new jouney into tastes & textures.

First, the pre-requisite family picture documenting this life-changing milestone.

 

Followed by the terrifyingly close encounter with a bowl and spoon. Not to mention the shocking mouthful of oatmeal. 

 

 

In the end, the oatmeal ended up on the bib. And the bowl ended up as a hat. And smiles returned.