We had a great turn out, Gary cooked about 50 hamburgers and we only had 7 left at the end of the night. We had out a couple of inflatable pools, one with just a little water for Ruth, and then the other with more water for the older kids. They had a great time jumping from pool to pool, and Ruth just laughed and laughed at them. The pools helped keep everyone cool. We had a pretty nice breeze and in the evening most of the back yard is shaded, so we had a good time visiting.

Ruth was so enthusiastic about the entire proceedings. She played in the pool and smiled for everyone. She ate half of a hamburger and then we got out her cupcake. Oh my she absolutely loved that thing. At first she wasn't quiet sure what to think, but after Gary put a piece in her mouth, she was in heaven. First she tried to lean over and eat it because she couldn't figure out how to pick it up. Finally she just grabbed it with both hands and practically inhaled it. She was just so excited. We had to give her a second one, and while some of it ended up crumbled all over the place, she ate an awful lot. After all of that she needed a bath.

After she was cleaned up she opened her presents. She still isn't that great at tearing the paper off of a box, but boy she had pulling that tissue paper down pat. She yanked that stuff out and just laughed and laughed. At the end of the evening, the family was out playing the bean bag toss, and Mom had corralled the kids in the living room with Toy Story 3, while A. Patricia helped me out by doing the dishes while I dried and put them away. We had such a wonderful day, but boy were we tired by the end of the night.

Dearest little girl, you are at this very moment 1 year old. This morning when you woke up, you were almost there, but just as Ahna wouldn't have wished me a happy birthday, I didn't wish you one yet, but now the time has arrived and you are finally 1. Finally seems such a silly thing to say, after all this year has pasted in such a whirlwind that at times I feel like I've blinked and missed milestones that I should have noticed.

This weekend, as I try to catch up your scrapbook, I have looked at the many pictures we've taken off you over this past year, and I marvel at how much you have grown. Like all babies you have progressed from a tiny and helpless creature to an increasingly active child with your own unique personality. In the last week in particular you have tried to assert your independence by clearly demonstrating what it is you want and when you want it, in the last week you have also shown the first since of a temper that we didn't know you had. However, you are still pure sunshine almost all day, every day.

Despite the fact that you are quickly approaching toddlerhood, you have a babiness that your brother didn't have. A babiness that I love. You are still so cuddly and love to lay your head against my chest, suck your thumb while I rock and sing to you. I never get tired of cuddling with you. I never tired of watching you suck your thumb as you drift off to sleep either for that matter. One day you'll have to give it up, but no time soon.

Last night for the first time you were so caught up with watching Britt play his guitar that you let go of the couch and stood for about 30 seconds, until you tried to reach and step for him and fell. For a moment you forgot you were afraid and you forgot that you weren't holding on to anything and only saw what was ahead of you. Life is like that sometimes, you don't see anything around you, only what is ahead of you. I don't know what life has in store for you little miss, but I do know that where ever you go you will have Daddy and Momma's love, and the Lord will always be there to watch over you.

Love,

Momma