Strawberry Festival

Once again, I am waaaay behind on my blogging. Samantha is as active as ever, leaving me very little time to sit in front of the computer. Most days, she is my little shadow. I'll have to do a post later with all the new and exciting things she has been doing lately. For now, I wanted to post pictures of the wonderful week we had in Humboldt during the Strawberry Festival.

She and I made it home on Tuesday of festival week. We were able to spend time with Big Guy, Grammy, Gran, Grandaddy and Memaw before Steve and our dear friends Jared and Katie joined us for the Friday festivities. It's hard to say what Samantha's favorite part of the festival was. She was a good sport about everything ... wearing lots of strawberry clothes, being tutored by a former Miss Tennessee, meeting dignitaries, riding in parades, charming the masses .... all while totally off schedule. These pictures are only a handful of the many we took.

Helping Big Guy look over a memo from Ms. Cindy in his office at the Chamber.

Lunch at Grans!! She had peas, corn, potatoes, chicken, rolls ....

Our friend Mrs. Linda came over to play.

With the official mascot. She LOVED the strawberry!

With Big Guy, Grammy and Mommy at the Presidents Reception.

A future princess with the Hostess Princess and her court.

Cuffed and stuffed!! Hitching a ride in the back of a police cruiser to the front of the parade route.

Visiting with Humboldt mayor Allan Barker.

Ready for Thursday's parade. According to my sources, it's the largest non-motorized parade in the world!

Hanging out with Ms. Janiece, who has a beautiful house on the parade route. She puts on an amazing spread of food every year.

Worn out after the parade ... and the incredibly long line I had to wait in to get a Fiddlestick. (It was worth it!)

Napped, refreshed and visiting with her favorite (and very beautiful) Memaw.

Cuffed and stuffed on Day 2. Hope to NEVER see this again!

This could get us in some trouble ... Jared, Katie and Steve hitching a ride to our parade spot.

More like it! Hanging out on Janiece's front lawn, waiting for the parade.

Samantha riding in Grammy's lap in the big parade.

Not sure she knew what to think!

Watching the rest of the parade at Janiece's with Mommy, while snapping and dancing to the bands.

Samantha v. Cupcakes

Perhaps the most entertaining part of a one-year-old birthday party is the cake, or in Samantha's case, the cupcakes. Her big cake was from UT Bakery, but we wanted her to have her own cake to have fun with. After visiting VG's Bakery and seeing the amazing things they do with cupcakes, I opted for a Sesame Street menagerie. Samantha loooooves Sesame Street, especially Elmo and Abby. Cookie Monster, my personal favorite, rounded out the trio.

Samantha enjoyed them. A lot. And I learned a very important lesson .... its probably best NOT to have black icing for a one-year-old. The pictures don't need commentary. I think they pretty much speak for themselves!

Before

After

Party Pics, Take 2

Samantha's birthday was on a Thursday, so we had the official celebration the following Saturday. I know she was overwhelmed, but I think she had a good time being surrounded by family and friends. I know that Steve and I did! It was a very special day, especially since so many people took the time to come celebrate our little miracle with us.

Checking out her new big girl slide.

Enjoying her balloons before the party.

A gift for Daddy and Daughter ... tickets to her very first Cubs game from Bill, Elise, Will and Caroline.

Check out all those presents!

She got pretty fired up about the bows. This year, the biggest hits seemed to be curly-q bows and singing Hallmark cards.

With Mommy and Daddy.

Playing with her new toys with Grammy, Caroline and Lindsey.

We were so happy that Bill, Elise, Will and Caroline drove from Chattanooga to celebrate with us.

With her buddy Garrison, and his Mommy and Daddy, Brent and Jenny.

Miller time!

With friends Kyle, Tiffany and Connor Sipe. We are looking forward to many more playdates since they just moved back to Knoxville.

With Big Guy and Grammy in their Sunday finery the morning after.

Party Pics, Part 1

My humblest apologies to the loyal readers of amy-n.blogspot.com. We have been blowing and going, literally, for the past month. I have just now found free time to post pictures of our latest adventures, starting with Samantha's birthday celebrations. I hope to get more pictures up over the next week.

Samantha's first birthday was wonderful. We had her one year photos made on the big day, followed by lunch at Louie's, one of my favorite Knoxville restaurants. Later that evening, we celebrated at Wawas and Papaws with homemade chicken and dumplins, courtesy of Papaw, and a fancy Magpies birthday cake. Big Guy and Grammy came in town the next day to be there for the big party. I think it goes without saying that Samantha thoroughly enjoyed being doted on by all of her grandparents!

With Daddy at Louies.

With Mommy at Louies.

Checking out the decorations at Wawa and Papaw's house.

Not liking her birthday girl tiara ....

.... which was fine by me, because I like a good tiara any day!

Daddy tries it on.

Watching Mommy and Daddy blow out her candle.

Trying her fancy cake.

Yep, its good!

It doesn't get any better than this ... some cold, hard cash from Gran and Grandaddy, and a card that sings from Big Guy and Grammy.

Dancing and snapping along with her new keyboard, a gift from Wawa and Papaw. She LOVES any kind of music!

Winding down with Wawa and Papaw.