Friday June 10th

Cate's cousins Mason, Henry, Caleb and Simon and Cate's Aunt Pam and Uncle Scott stopped by town on their way from Kansas to Iowa. We took everyone to the neighborhood park to play. Despite my entreaties to take pictures, Chaz only managed to snap one of Scott and Simon. But, there are some cute pictures of Cate swinging, so we'll post anyway.

Cate is 1!

We had a wonderful birthday weekend, with all of Cate's grandparents and one of Cate's cousins here to celebrate with us.

 We also had a joint Memorial Weekend BBQ and Birthday Party on Sunday. We had lots of wonderful friends attend. We all had fun, but Cate easily had the most fun, especially while eating her birthday cake.

 At the end of the long weekend, she's still ready to party. In fact, all she wants to do now is practice walking while holding our hands. And she is growing fast. According to her one year check up, she is now 28.5" tall (27th percentile) and 19lbs 13 oz (50th percentile). So she is still pretty average (though a bit on the short side).

Thanks to all of you who made this first year so very special for our whole family!

Extreme Couponing: Baby Edition

Cate's crawling speed has increased to sneaky-fast. Five seconds away from my couponing project this morning, and Cate decides to "finish" it for me.

Great Grandma Steimel

On our recent trip to Kansas, Cate got to play with her Great Grandma Steimel. Here is one of her day.

For some inexplicable reason, the rest of the photos won't load right now. But, trust me, we had fun!

Cate's Trip to the Omaha Zoo

About two weeks ago, Cate and I went with a group of our friends to the Omaha Zoo. She had a blast! Here are a few of my favorite photos of the trip:

1. Cate at the petting zoo. She wasn't too sure about petting the goat, despite Aliya and Elijah's insistence that he was quite soft.

 2. Cate sitting in the Hippo statue. She is looking angry here, but actually she was "talking" to her friends. 

 3. Cate pressed up against the glass in the monkey exhibit. I think she liked how the swung from tree to tree.

 4. Cate at the giant aquarium. This was her FAVORITE part of the zoo. We are thinking we might do an "under the sea" cake for her first birthday since she wanted to stay in there forever. 

 5. Here is most of our intrepid group near the end of the day. From Front, Cate, Aliya, Gloria with baby Tovah (not pictured, but in the stroller), Essie and Colleen. I think Elijah and Jordan were already off ahead of us.

 6. A Very Sleepy Girl. The Zoo was so much fun we'll have to go again soon!

Springapalooza

On Saturday we had an outdoor picnic/party (with a festive name, see above) for my department. I didn't remember to take any photos, but here is one that someone else snapped of us. We had a blast enjoying the beautiful spring weather outdoors and the good company of our many Nebraska friends.

Can you believe Cate is almost one? Nope, I don't believe it either.

Easter Basket Joy