And then she was 1...

Hello Friends!!!  We celebrated my first birthday on Sunday and, as you can see from the above photo, I was very happy to be turning one.  My mom made the icing for my cake in the morning on my birthday and let me lick off the spoon, which is why my face looks a little sticky.  I loved it so much and couldn't wait to dig into my Sand Castle cake later that afternoon...

Here I am with Daddy out on the beach...we had the most gorgeous weather for my party and everyone was really excited to spend the morning outdoors.  My mom bought me a special pink dress with a cupcake embroidered on the front especially for the occasion.  We held the party at Saugatuck Island's South Beach, just down the street from our house.  My dad put up a big tent and we had tables, chairs and tons of food (and drinks) for our guests.

Check out my Sand Castle Cake, which my mom baked especially for me!!!  I did share some of the gummy whales, lobsters and octopi that mom used to decorate...the older kids really loved them and I had the feeling that I would, too, one day.  The cake was DEE-licious though I only had a few bites...for some reason, mom feels that too much sugar isn't good for me.  I can't imagine that it's true...it just tastes TOO GOOD!

As if one cake were not enough, my mom asked the folks at Sono Bakery to make another cake for our entire group...and here it is!  It was decorated with balloons, mermaids, lobsters, beach balls and candy pebbles...and was big enough to feed everyone...and then some!  My mom told me that it was really delicious.

Here is the beach boat filled with all my birthday presents!  It was nice enough that everyone came to celebrate my birthday with me...and all the gifts...I must be a really lucky girl.  We sure do have thoughtful friends (and family, too!).

Here's my friend Sadie...she had a really nice time at the beach and I was happy that she was able to make it to the party.  

YAY - Clea, Bernie, Astrid and Louisa are back in town!  They've been in Sweden and Belgium all summer and have finally returned home, and just in time for my birthday, too.  It was so nice to see them again...I look forward to many playdates together this fall.

Here is my mom's cousin Laura, her husband Jay and my second cousins, Maggie and Katy...they are really enjoying the beach.  They drove all the way from Michigan to meet me and to celebrate my birthday.  I was so happy that I had the chance to meet them and we hope to see them again very soon.

Here are Dori and Mia...don't they look happy??  Everyone was smiling a lot that day because it was just the perfect day to spend outside at the beach.  I was so happy that Mia, her mom and her dad were able to attend my birthday bash!   I've known Mia since we were just a few weeks old...she's my first friend and I'm really looking forward to celebrating her first birthday with her and her family next week.  

Well, now we know that mom is capable of lifting almost 50 pounds!!!!  I knew she could do it.  Chandler and I are happy to smile for the camera but also look forward to getting down so that we can play a bit more in the sand before the party is over.

It was a great day and I really feel very fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family in my life.  Thanks very much to all who turned out for my first birthday - and check out the link to my Mac Gallery to see all of the great photos taken that day.  Love, Charlotte