Sneak Peek at Sunday's Photo Shoot!

Our friend Lauren Kinsey just happens to be an awesome photographer. Though she mainly does weddings, she occasionally will do family shoots. She has chronicled our journey as a family, from a maternity shoot six weeks before Evie arrived to another when Evelyn was 10 days old and most recently a shoot to celebrate Evie's first birthday. For a sneak peek at a couple of the photos from Sunday's (8/23) shoot, visit Lauren's blog here. More to come...

Cherry Pie

We gave Evie some cherry pie and vanilla ice cream on Sunday (August 16). The ensuing sugar rush is documented above...

Our Little Ballerina

These adorable pajamas are courtesy of Evie's Aunt Kim.

2 Adults, 4 Kids, 1 Crazy Weekend

Unlike Grandpa K, I couldn't get these three to sit still long enough to take a decent portrait. They're still stinkin' cute though.

Jacob enjoying a ride in the Tonka truck at Zoinks!

Chloe in one of the many bouncy houses at Zoinks!

Evie's first birthday (July 31) also happened to be my sister's 10th wedding anniversary. So, as our gift to them, we offered to take care of their three children for the weekend so they could take a little trip and remember what it was like to just be a married couple for a few days. This means that Blake and I went from caring for one child to four (ranging in age from 1 to 8) overnight. Though the weekend had its challenges--apparently its very upsetting to have cheese on your cheeseburger and butter on your waffles, not to mention the whole potty training 3 year old--we had a blast hanging out with our niece and nephews. We spent a lot of time at the pool and Blake took the kids to Zoinks! on Saturday, an indoor playground with an arcade a bunch of bouncy houses. Kim and Steve had a great time, too, so it was a very successful weekend all around.

Daddy & Evie's First Solo Trip

Enjoying the wind in her hair...

Evie: This is the life!

Do you these two love that baby or what??

Apparently not a fan of the float...

I love hanging out at my grandparents house!

On July 25, Blake and Evie set off for Apollo Beach for the first time without Mommy. (I didn't have enough vacation time, so I stayed behind in Tallahassee.) They had a great time, swimming in the pool, riding on the boat, even visiting the aquarium. Mommy had fun, too, spending the weekend painting Evie's bathroom, hanging out with girlfriends and seeing a movie (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince). Absence certainly makes the heart grow fonder, and I was glad to have my family home the following Wednesday.

It Walks!

This is the best video we could get of Evie walking. She's walked farther and better, but those with kids will know the second you try to replicate those results on video they clam up worse than....well, something that clams up really bad. Anyway, enjoy!

Evie's Birthday Party

Kiley made these cupcakes from scratch. She even created three different flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and raspberry. Who knew she could do this? Certainly not Daddy, who never gets homemade cupcakes....

This sweet little girl is Lucy, the daughter of Kevin and Shekira (one of Kiley's co-workers). She is about 8 months old and weighs over 20 pounds. Recently, Evie went to the doctor and was weighed in at 18 pounds. We have such a petite little girl...

Luke Little looking not so little and a topless Evie. I hope this isn't the start of a trend!

We had all our local friends over to help celebrate Evie's birthday. There were many kids there, a lot of food, and plenty of drinks (more for the parents than the kids). Evie enjoyed all the extra attention and was very tired by the end of the day.

Thanks to everyone who attended and for all the cool toys, books, and clothes. She's been spoiled beyond belief.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVIE!

I know it sounds cliche, but, wow, has time flown! It is hard to believe that Evie is now one year old. In her first year she's seen space shuttles, zoos, and several beaches. She's boated across Tampa Bay, driven up to Atlanta (three times) and moved into a new home (We Mallards tend to do all the big things at once, it seems). And of course, she's been spoiled and loved on by everyone around her.

We couldn't have made it without our wonderful family and friends!

Happy Birthday to our sweet Evie Grace!