Grady's First Birthday Party

Today we celebrated Grady's FIRST birthday. He officially turned 1 on the 7th, but this was a time for family and friends to come and celebrate Grady. The party was at my parents house and we had a taco bar for supper. After that, we opened gifts and had cake. I think we all had a good time and it was great to spend time with family and friends (Great Grandpa Earl and Norma, Grandma/pa Moseley, Grandma/pa Grady, Athena, Addison, Lucas, Dawson, Elizabeth and Jameson, Aunt Elaine, Darren, Jenny, Brooke, Ally, Lindsey, Heather and Trisha - missing is uncle Matthew who thought the Hawkeyes in MI playing were more important...good thing it was a good game - you were missed uncle Matthew!)

This is Grady's birthday cake. It was from Target (of course) and I had ordered a Lego type cake. I love Lego's and so does Grady. I was not sure what we were going to get by just saying "make us a Lego cake" but I think it turned out cute for his birthday. Here is a picture of the table that showcased his cake and balloons.

The birthday boy's center seat.

Lots of family and friends came and enjoyed time together. As you can see, no matter where Heather and Trisha are, the kids are close by getting them to play with them. More birthday celebration decorations.

We had a taco bar for supper. YUM!!!!

The birthday boy - doesn't he look handsome with his new hair cut?

Here he is playing with his cousins.

This basket is something that he loves to play in at Grandma Jeanette's. This is also something that he loves to do at home in his laundry basket. He wanted to play with the big kids...but he does not know how to write and draw yet.

Opening gifts - he received a lot of great toys! This is a Jack-in-the-box "gnome" style. He received a shopping cart from Grandma and Grandpa Grady. He also got a wagon from Grandpa and Grandma Moseley.

This will be fun to take him on walks in next spring.

Cake time!

Grady loved his birthday cake!

Birthday cake time = immediate bath time!

Heather and Grady

Trisha and Grady

Heather, Stephanie and Trisha - Best Friends!

PROUD PARENTS

Grady's Dedication at PLC

Today Grady was dedicated at our Church - Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls, IA. Jon and I have been going there for about 5 years now. Although we did not meet via church, we actually went to the same church and both attended a singles bible study...different ones of course. Who would have known that two years or so later that we would be attending there as husband and wife. Anyway, at Prairie Lakes (PLC) they have a program where parents and their families/friends can come and share in a time to hear about Grady. During the dedication, we went up front with Grady and I answered the question,"how did we come up with the name Grady", Jon then read a verse that we had picked out. After that, Pastor John prayed for our family. The church gave us a few gifts such as a Prairie Lakes bib, a Children's Bible and a quilt that the ladies in the church made for babies.

Here is Grady with Pastor John Fuller.

Family picture with Pastor John

Betsy and Travis Haht are a couple that Jon and I met in Lamaze class in August/September. We ended up setting next to them at each class, so we talked a bit. Later we found out that they also go to PLC and go to the Saturday night service (as so we for the most part). Travis works with hogs and Betsy also works in Hudson...what small world. To add to our journey with Betsy and Travis, they actually had there baby boy, Matthew, on the Saturday/Sunday before Grady was born, so we were even in the hospital at the same time. Betsy and I keep in touch and continue to share in baby stories or advice. They are a neat couple that we have enjoyed getting to know. They also attended the baby dedication with their son Matthew. I think Matthew and Grady are going to grow up to be good friends!

Here is a picture of the different things that we got at the dedication.

Heather and Trisha came to share in Grady's special day! Thanks Aunt Heather and Aunt Trisha! We love that your so involved in Grady's life... Afterwards we all went out to lunch at Peppers. It was a great time spent with family.

That night, at church, all of the families that attended the Saturday night service went up front with their babies and Pastor John introduced each family as well as prayed for us a parents.

Grady's many admirers ...

We were so blessed to have so many people we love,

come and visit Grady!!

FAMILY ...

FRIENDS ...