Caleb's 1st Birthday Party

Back in May...May 12th to be exact, Caleb turned one. Here is a glimpse of his special day...

Caleb Suell,

The past year has been a whirl wind of excitement. For your 1st birthday party we had a jungle safari complete with giraffe, tiger, lion and monkey cupcakes; it seemed fitting for you. You are a joy to our whole family - even though you cause lots of grief to Anna Grace and Dean when you get into their stuff. You are a bright spot in the day of everyone you meet. The constant smile upon your face is infectious as is your laughter. People always ask me, "Does he ever cry?" You are a little man full of personality to say the least. You have found your voice and to no one's surprise you fit right in around here being loud all the time. You can sit and "talk" about things just as long as someone is listening and if you think no one is listening you get louder to make sure you have our attention. (As I type you are screaming at the Baby Einstein video in the background.)

I have prayed as long as I have known about you that you would always find your joy in the Lord. I am always amazed at how God continually uses this family to teach and challenge me. For the past year I have watched you joyfully learn new things daily. It seems that no task is too daunting for you. Sometimes you get frustrated trying but most often you persistently try until you figure it out. Sure for me this often tries my patience because your persistent equals getting into stuff and being a handle. Anna Grace and Dean were content with a simple "no"...you have bigger plans than that however. I will continue to pray that your joy will be found in the God of your salvation (Habakkuk 3:18-19) until the day of your salvation. I am confident that like Caleb in the Bible God has great things in store for you. I cannot wait to see them unfold throughout your life. My favorite "Caleb" verse is not the one that most people quote instead it is Numbers 13:30 (the report of the spies regarding the promise land), "But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, 'Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.'" That sums up your attitude about life, Caleb. You conquered the stairs with ease; you over-took the bathroom drawers (some would consider it unorganized) as if it were your job.

My son, I will always pray for you and always love you. I pray that your joy and zest for life will always inspire and encourage me. And I look forward to the other things that God will teach me through you along the way. May you be a like a tree planted by streams of water (Psalm 1:1-3) all the days of your life. And may you be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might (Ephesians 6:10-13) that no matter what comes your way it might be said of you that you stood firm. Finally, the hymn I chose for you as an infant is Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing; I pray that it will ring true of your life as you grow and mature into a godly man.

I love you, Buddy!
your mama

Calling all Fishermen

I don't even know where to begin with pictures from our weekend at the fishing lake house. We had a great weekend with Mom and Wayne (Juju and Ottie) and the Perry family (Laura, Heath, Laurie and Slade). Since Slade's birthday party and Caleb's birthday parties were planned for the same day we decided to have a little family birthday for them. The rest of our time was spent fishing, playing in the yard and resting. Who could ask for a better time with family than that?

the "big kids" fished;

while others surveyed the land.

but they all showed up for the party.

"a progression of cake" by csh...
waiting,

eating,

loving,

and finally all done.

Then later the next day...

Dreaming of more cake I suppose.

Caleb Weighs in at 1

I can't believe the boy is one! Well actually he was one on the 15th and I am just really slow to get pictures up.

His first ride forward facing. He loves it.

He is growing like a weed; to give you a little perspective of him here are his measurements at his one year check up:

Weight - 23 pounds, 9 ounces (60th percentile)
Height - 29 inches (30th percentile)
Head Circumference - 20 inches (off the chart)

Checking out Anna Grace's new booster seat.

Rocking with Dean watching a little Baby Einstein.

To give further perspective into this head size thing. The 95th percentile for one year old boys (highest listed on the chart) is 19 1/8 inches. Furthermore my head circumference is only 21 3/4 inches. I continue to believe that he is solving all of the world's problems in that noggin (or Bucket Head as my uncle likes to call it) of his but he can't articulate the solutions yet.

The children at Bruster's having birthday ice cream.

One more noteworthy thought. Here is where Anna Grace and Dean were at their one year checkups:

Anna Grace
Weight - 19 pounds, 4 oz (15th percentile)
Height - 28 1/4 inches (20th percentile)
Head Circumference - 18 1/2 inches (50th percentile)

Dean
Weight - 20 pounds, 4 ounces (20th percentile)
Height - 29 1/2 inches (50th percentile)
Head Circumference - 18 3/4 inches (90th percentile)

And finally the day Anna Grace was born her body was 20 inches long which is equal to Caleb's current head size...It would have taken her entire body length to make Caleb's head!

Fun with Holt

Caleb enjoyed a fun day playing with Holt, his 2nd cousin (or whatever it is called when it is my 1st cousin's child and my child). Here are some pictures:

Caleb playing and getting all dirty.

Now Holt's turn.

And finally tub time.

(as you can see they were filthy to say the least)