Dakota Turned 1!

Alicia has been putting a lot of work into Dakota's first birthday.

This is his birthday blanket with embroidery from her sewing machine received last Christmas.

It took a long time but Dakota loves to snuggle in his new soft warm blanket.

This is the finished product. Alicia made an identical one for William Permann a few months ago.

Alicia also made the cutest NASCAR cake for Dakota's birthday party. This is the three layer cake before the fondant . . . her first cake ever using fondant. Yellow base layer.A few M&M's added.The finished product after piping and some cute details. Red cream Oreo tires and M&M faces.
It looked awesome!!! The #18 is Kyle Bush's car who is Tharon's favorite NASCAR driver, and a Toyota . . . our favorite car company. The car cake for Dakota and the #18 design for Tharon : )

Alicia and some friends at Dakota's Birthday celebration. Holly, Dakota, Alicia, Karen (KG). We had many great friends over for cake and ice cream (Fairbourn's, Wood's, Rudd's, KG) while others couldn't make it due to the holiday travels. Poor Dakota will always have to share his birthday with Thanksgiving. Eventually Alicia made me (Tharon) cut into Dakota's cake after many hours of laboring to make it. Dakota made quick work of his first cake.Toy cars are never far from this kid. . . even when eating cake. Starting to get a bit messy. He thought cake was pretty good. We love our little boy and cannot belive how fast this year has gone by.

Had enough yet?

He likes to crawl into the laundry basket and play around. Here is the proof. We also found out yesterday that one of his molars has come through. Plus he will be one on the 25th. How did he grow up so fast?
The only picture we happened to take to our quick trip to Chicago. You can't tell but there are a bunch of tall buildings behind us. Dakota is all decked out in his camo outfit. How cute is that!

Richmond, Virginia

These are some pictures of our adventures in Richmond. We went to an estate called Maymont. They had this children's center and we saw lots of animals. Otters, snakes, deer, turtles, farm animals, and some more I can't think of now.
I spotted this sign so we had to stop to take a picture.

This is Monument Avenue in front of, I think General Lee.

We also went (but don't have any proof with pictures) to the Museum of the Confederacy, the White House of Jefferson Davis, the Holocaust Museum, Carytown, Short Pump, Bass Pro Shop, Belle Island, to name a few.

Trouble Maker

Look at all the mischief this kid is! And this is just one. He also figured out how to stand up in his highchair. Aaahhhh! He can also reach a lot higher now. I could keep on going, but I won't bore you.

This is what happens when you try to take pictures of your child. He gets in your face!

Just thought his feet and toes where so cute!

Halloween

I know you all have been dying to see what we dressed up as for Halloween. (Ok so maybe you only wanted to see Dakota). If you can't tell we are the Wizard of Oz.