Birthday Boy

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My Sweet Child,

How do I put into words how I feel about my past year with you? It used to be that a year was a very long period of time for me... but the past 12 months have flown by so quickly that it seems like a blur. Part of me is not ready for you to be such a big boy, but watching you grow into such a smart, hilarious and charming person makes me the happiest mother! I cherish you always and will love you forever. I am so proud of you.

Love,
Your Momma

~~~

October 11, 2009... 4:30 (ish) am... was the first time in many (MANY) months I realized I really wasn't actually going to be pregnant forever! At 6:26 pm, Collin William Mayfield, made his debut (and may I add) on his original due date. This has been the absolute best (and most challenging) year of our lives... So, for his first birthday, Tommy and I really wanted to start something special for him. With the help, ideas and suggestions of our family and friends, I think we all hit the nail on the head!

A Pumpkin Painting Party!!!

Hor-ray!!!!!!

The weather couldn't have been more perfect. On October 10, 2010 (10/10/10) the sun was shining, the air was crisp and the fall colors were absolutely gorgeous. The party guests met us at the Carmichael's Pumpkin Patch at 2:00pm. The kiddos (and a few big kids) were allowed to pick a pumpkin and do some exploring before we moved on to the actual party place. The Patch was wonderful! There were huge piles of bright orange pumpkins of all shapes and sizes everywhere... there must have been thousands!

There were goats, pigs, pony's and camels. Yes.... I said camels.

That would be my son on top of a camel with his father. We found out later the age limit for a camel ride was 2 years old. But it was Collin's special day... and he does kind of look like a 2 year old...


For the record, Collin was not a bit frightened. Tommy said he was talking to the camel and quite relaxed the whole ride. Tommy, on the other hand, (who has never ridden anything with a mind of it's own) was scared senseless!

Yes, the Patch was a hit. I believe we'll be making the Pumpkin Patch a family tradition.

After we all had our fill of the Patch and we gathered our guests and pumpkins, we made a caravan out to my parent's house (a.k.a. 'Gamma' and 'Granddad'). We hit the ground running pulling out veggies, dip, and hot dog fixings from the fridge... first on the agenda... EAT!

Fire roasted hot dogs and s'mores! I cannot remember who thought up this idea, but it was a good one. Once everyone got a chance to eat, it was time to Paint Them Punkins!







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I want to thank those that picked up my camera and took some shots with all three of us in them... I find myself (on a regular basis, anyway) taking all of the pictures. I'm usually left out as a result!
~


Time for cake!!

Now... this is Collin's very first birthday party. Never before has he been in such a spotlight with 20 (ish) people staring at him, singing "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!".


Uh-oh... don't think he likes it....



Maybe it was a little much!


He got over it...



and over it...



and over it!

I know... the past 12 months have made our little family a tiny bit introverted (small understatement). What can I say... getting used to parenthood is an ongoing process and it is different for everyone! So, it was an absolute blessing to celebrate Collin's birthday with our friends and family. Thank you to all who helped us make it happen... and thank you to all who were able to join in the fun! And a special thank you to our parents, who helped make this day the best!

It has been one beautiful year. Although Collin won't remember any of it, I know I will forever remember how we fell in love with him the instant we knew he was coming... and how we got to know him as time went on. One day, I hope he will look back at this collection of thoughts and memories and know how much his father and I truly adore him.

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MORE PARTY PICS



Meet the Chesser Family! Dawn, Craig, Big Brother Cole and Lil' Bro Owen.



Good Morning Starkweather Family!!! Amy, Toen and their son, Ethan.



Alexis and Cameron... very good friends of the family.



Collin and Granddad (my dad).



My relatives... Collin's Uncle Poppy, Aunt Nana and Big Daddy.



Gather your pumpkins!





My best bud Afton and her fiance, Patrick.



Run Cole! Run!!





Aunt Dawn with Papa (Tommy's Dad).



Ally and Emma being goofy.





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PUMPKIN GALLERY









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Ya'll come back, now, ya hear!

Walk to Remember

Today, Tommy and I are beside ourselves. In one month from today, our son will be one year old. Where have the past 11 months gone?? It is official.. (as has been for a while, I'm sure... though I have been unable to accept it until this day) Collin is a toddler.



I have been slacking with my picture taking due to an overabundance of knitting projects. However, I have plenty of pictures from the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk... which was about two weekends ago. Better late than never, I guess!

A few short years ago, my grandma, Patricia, passed away from Alzheimer's Disease. My mother also works for the Alzheimer's Association, who has helped my family in our greatest times of need. The Memory Walk is put on by the Association every year to raise awareness, educate and raise money to fight this disease. This was Collin's first (of many) Memory Walk! An occasion worthy of picture taking.


When we arrived, we met Mom (a.k.a. "Gamma") at the register tent. Immediately, she scooped him up and began showing him off to her co-workers and volunteers. Mary Ann (above) is a volunteer and works with Mom on a weekly basis. So, she gets to see Collin's pictures and hear about all of his antics. Such a sweet lady..

Gamma is a nut for her grandson... in case you couldn't tell.

Onward to the walk... The O.R.U. campus was beautiful. The weather was perfect! Everyone there was having a good time.

Here is the path... and never mind whatever Tommy may tell you. We did not take the short cut.

Gotta stay hydrated!

There were over 2,000 people at the walk this year. It was fantastic! Close to the end of the walk, a firetruck was spraying water... I'm assuming that it was for kids to run and play in. But it made such a beautiful rainbow. It seemed very special.

At the finish line, we went through a "tunnel" of Union football players and cheerleaders... all clapping, cheering and smiling. Collin thought this was the best!

Like father, like son... or is it the other way around?

The elusive "bunny face"... has turned into "rabid-bunny-on-crack face". It is very difficult to catch this on camera!

At the end, Collin got to play on the grass while his Daddy helped my mom tear down the tent. This was probably one of the first times he's played on grass... I worry about ants biting him. When I was little I sat on a fire ant mound. It was very traumatic... I'm sure it was for my mom, too! Don't worry ya'll, I'll get over it. He'll be rolling in the mud before too long, I'm sure.

Something was special about that day. I'm not exactly sure what... maybe it was a combination of things. The weather was beautiful, we were together and we were having fun. It may become one of my favorite memories.

Fin.

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FUNNY FACES






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IRON CHEF CHUBBY-MOTO