What Baby?

Today is a momentous day.  HEIDI IS ONE!  Isn't that so exciting??  Yep, I made it a whole year with this crazy family of mine.  Mom keeps hugging me and telling me that I am her baby and she can't believe I am having a birthday.  Where has she been this past year?  Despite her efforts, I am no longer a baby and officially moving into the toddler category.  They moved me to the toddler class this week and I have been transitioning to all the big things (cot, sippy cups, sitting at table) just fine.  Mom thought it was going to be a mess, but as usual, I'm a rock star.

 

I spent today like most days.  Although everyone sang to me when they woke me up this morning.  I like it when Amelia wakes me up in the mornings, but the singing was a big bonus!  School was like any normal day...But when I came home I got my birthday present.  My very own life size panda bear.  I am not so sure about it, it is big.  Amelia also got me a cool car, which is good since she took over my panda bear.  We also got to enjoy some more bday cake.  I LOVE birthday cake.  I first discovered this during the past weekend in Branson.  I guess that was my birthday party.  Mom was a little disappointed to not have a huge themed out party for me, but she gave into dad's logic and we celebrated at the cabin with a lot of our friends.  In the end that is what matters right...some singing, cake, and time with friends.

Get that scary bear away from me!

 And a lot of friends it was.  There were 22 of us (10 kids) that took a road trip to Branson for a fun filled (some might say crazy) weekend.  We got there early enough on Friday that we got to go do a quick hour at the park (since our house was literally down the street!).  Maddie and I had fun testing out some of the rides and running around the park.  We got back and the rest of the gang had arrived.  We all had so much fun together all weekend.  Some may have thought it would have been a mad house, but it was full of awesome.  Great food, fun, and games.  I crashed pretty hard, but I heard some roars of laughter at night so pretty sure the parents had fun too.  I slept pretty good too....perhaps because my bed was set up in the dark bathroom.  Nice, mom and dad. 

fun jumping on bed

Pictures of fun at the house:
Bath time for Heidi...

Mae and Heidi bonding:

Heidi hugs by all.  

Mason likes hugs!

We were trying to see who had the biggest mouth.  Looks like Mason won!

The whole gang minus 4.  Unfortunately the Davenports didn't get to the park at the same time as us for photo op

Stu & Kristin + 8?  Huh?

Silver Dollar City was great, I rode every ride that was allowed to...and looked at awe in the big ones that I can't wait to ride one day soon!  Which by the way, mom and dad said there was a wooden roller coaster there that was the best one they have ever been on.  Now I REALLY can't wait till I grow tall!  In the mean time I had lots of fun riding with daddy, Maddie, Evan, Evan's mommy, Mason's mommy....whoever would take me.  (notice my mommy was not among that list).  My favorite was the flying elephants...oh, or maybe the boats...they went really fast, or maybe the roller coaster.  When can we go back??

just enjoying the perfect weather to stroll around the park!

Here I am riding the roller coaster!

a rare family picture.  Sporting our husker gear.  Dad's head may be
cut off, but there is a sweet shot of Heidi's mohawk

As it has been a while since last posting, I also need to give updates from our trip the weekend before to Lincoln.  It was a whirlwind of a trip.  We got there late Friday evening (thanks to a few extra stops due to Heidi...Ok, maybe I had to go potty too).  Saturday we got to spend all day with Elmo!  We had a blast playing with toys, going on walks, reading books, etc.  Mom & dad went to the Husker football game.  Mom got a sunburn, and the Huskers lost but I think they had a lot of fun...probably not as much fun as us though.  We also got a couple quick visits in.  Saturday night mom took us over to Noeckers to see Tanja and the kids.  We had some pizza and played...and JUMPED.  In case you haven't figured out, I love jumping so when I saw they had a trampoline, I was all over it.  Sunday morning before we left, we also met Pop pop McLain at Lazlos for lunch.  We were hoping to go see his new home, but nap time was approaching and we all know how important that window is....ahem, Heidi.  Yeah, yeah....I may not be the best traveler, but come on people....I could be worse.  Anyway, I am now 1 and no longer a baby....so watch out world!

Heidi OUT!

"Minnie" hours of fun!

 

Oh boy, oh boy.  I have an announcement to make.  I am now THREE.  Yep, I am told that means it is time to stop skating by.  Not sure what that means.  To me it means I have free reign for some real time displays of my mood.  Some people may call them temper tantrums....I just say they are a 'release'.  I did lots to celebrate the big day....Minnie Mouse style.  The actual big day was on a Friday so after enjoying a birthday donut I went to school...but I took some Minnie Pops for snack time...and I got to wear a birthday hat around.  I felt pretty special.  Not long after I got home from school, Elmo showed up, and then Nana, Pop pop, and Rachelle too!  Mommy and daddy gave me my bday present.  I wasn't real sure what it was in the big box, but then we went downstairs and I found my very own bouncy house!  Wow....how cool was that?  Needless to say I am a fan.  And Heidi has already learned to love it too.  She likes going head first down the slide.  I think I will have hours upon hours of fun with this present.  We went upstairs and all had some pizza and then I got to open some presents from them too.  SWEET!  Elmo made me a super cool piggy bank.  I have been wanting one of those!  And I got a Minnie Mouse blanket from nana and pop pop which no doubt I loved! 

Video of having fun in the bouncy house

My Minnie Oreo Pops

Here we are all trying to hold up 3 fingers!

The next day was more fun.  I woke up to find everyone busy getting ready for my friends to come over to my Minnie Mouse party.  Mom forgot to get good pictures of the yummy food and decorations, but I had all my faves: hot dogs, mickey mouse chicken, and cake!!  I had a LOT of friends come over they made me feel really special.  Mommy made ears for us all to wear....which I sometimes obliged with.  I think she was the only one who wore hers full time.  We did get some photo ops with some of us kids wearing them.  And much to my surprise I even got a bunch of presents....and I have to say that was mighty fun.  My friends sure have good taste in toys they are all awesome!



Zach going for it with eating cake, while Maddie, Ava, and I stuck with more conventional methods of eating




Having some fun with party poppers

Avery showing me her cool present



why is nothing coming out?!

 Amelia, don't forget about our fun weekend before.  We had visitors!  Abby & Ella and their parents came down for Labor Day weekend.  They made it in time for the Husker game as you can see most of us were in our cute cheerleader outfits.  I know you agree!   Oh yeah, how did I forget?  Us girls may have played while parents watched (or made their best attempts)....we all enjoyed some OK Joes BBQ too.  They are lots of fun to play with!  The next day we got donuts!  Then the Pinkelmans headed out for a long day at the park while mom and me went to my friend Evan's bday party.  He had a science party!  It took me a bit to get into it as it was during nap time, but soon I got into all the fun experiments they were doing.  I even got to make some sidewalk chalk to take home.  Mason, Avery, & Mae were there so that was cool too.  After the party, we went home to pick up dad and Heidi and we made the trek to the other side of town.  To Oceans/Worlds of Fun!  We hung out at Oceans of Fun first, but it was SO busy (it was the last day it was open), I wasn't as into it...I think I like Schlitterbahn better.  So we all headed back over to Camp Snoopy.  It had been a year since my last visit, so this time I was able to do more.  I had a ton of fun (except when I got turned away from rides for being too short!), Abby & Ella rode with me and held my hand.  They were SO nice!  We stayed till dark and came home and had some late night pizza.  It was a great day.  Hopefully they had fun too

I loved the planes!

it is good you couldn't see my face here! Dizzy!

Getting comfortable

Driving the boat!

Enjoy all the pictures.  Amelia & Heidi OUT!

We have had some good park weather


turn up the tunes!

 

Elmo traced me and then we colored it! 

I have been told my smiles are too cheesy and I need to open my eyes more!




Mommy mouse with her friends Steph & Kellie. 
Steph came to celebrate even though Davis was too sick
to join in the fun!

fun with Rachelle


Fun family pictures with Minnie ears.  Although, I will admit that I was over it and not in the cooperating mood


Here is the video of me answering my bday questions

Here is one of me and my skills

A little reading with Heidi