Birthday Babies

The girls in my neighborhood all have babies that are around one. So we threw a party for all of the babies!

Of course there was cake . . .which most of the kids didn't like, but at least it was fun.
The girl has the pink cupcake, Jackson has the blue. I don't think he even took one bite, but he did try smearing the girl, who was chomping down on the cake.

The race for the present was fun, which ever one the kid touched first, they got to keep. Jackson was the fastest and picked the gift easiest to open (it was a box with a lid.)

The game we played was trying to match newborn pictures to one year old pictures. It was amazingly hard. They grow up SO much in a year.

Jackson took the opportunity to beg food off every person who was eating. He didn't stop for anything, not even a picture.

Our getaway to Utah

The drive to Utah was a lot longer than expected. Despite Shshone falls being "right off the freeway" It tooks us 45 minutes to find . . . but it was well worth it!

On the way we also got to see the Twin Falls temple.After our detour through Pocatello(not the right way to go), we made it to Utah. 4 hours later, I ran in the 24th race

Then we had a huge BBQ with all of my mom's family. I love time to see cousins, aunts, uncle and of course, Grandma.

Next we hung out with some friends from Boise (who I seem to have missed getting a picture of) We went to a local party and then watched fireworks from Dave's parents balcony. Jackson was fascinated with the fireworks and sparklers.

We threw a shower for my Sister in Law, Kacey Ahlstrom who is due with a boy any day now. Some how I completely missed any pictures with the people at the shower, but did manage to get pictures of the 3 boys who weren't really invited to the shower.

Despite being an excellent stair climber and slider, Jackson took an unfortunate fall this weekend. I was probably more shaken up than he was!

The rest of my time was wrapped up in work meetings, running errands and enjoying time with family. We also celebrated Tyler's Birthday- Happy 25th!

Jacksons 12 month stats:

Weight: 21 lbs 4 ounces

Height: 29 inches

He is in the 25th percentile for everything (his height dropped and his weight rose). The doctor said that his movement and vocabulary was 'advanced'. Do you think they say that to every mom so she can be proud? (Because I am very proud!)

I was sad that he had to get SIX shots! Yes, SIX. But he is a tough kid and showed very few signs of being hurt by it.

Harper Happenings

Ok, so this is just a picture at our favorite Nature Center just up the street. I like to take Jackson to look at the fish, stuffed animals, birds and plants.

Jackson upgraded to a forward facing car seat. We are all happy about the move. He especially loves his arm rests!

Biking to Lucky Peak. I've been wanting to make the trek ever since I arrived in Boise. Dave and I started going once, but turned around when the wind picked up and Jackson was screaming. I convinced a ward friend, Jessica to take me. She is a triathlete and offered to pull both our kids to make it easier on me, who hasn't ridden much more than a cruiser bike since I got here. The 20 miles didn't seem as far as I thought it would be. It was a great morning for a ride.

Biking is hard work for the kids . . . cute isn't it?

Salsa dancing at a Fiesta for our Relief Society. This is my friend Alayna. We would go to the park and discuss the similarities between her dog and my kid. It was great to have a friend who was willing to hang out. We played many a late night game with her and her husband, as well as floated the Boise River (She took a nasty spill!)
FHE feeding the local ducks on our pond. They kept coming and coming. We had no idea we had so many neighbors.
I've been tending a neighbor boy a few times who is just a few weeks younger than Jackson. Noah is a big kid . . . you see the arm rolls? He is very different from my wild and ranbuncous Jackson. It is interesting to see the differences.
We went to a rodeo (indoors, thank goodness it was 104 that day!). It was interesting to watch, mostly because it was something different.
Going to the park with friends (this is Stone)
My days are filled with relaxing and fun activities with my boy and my husband. It has been a great summer. Of course the end is coming much too soon!

Is anyone interested in watching Jackson one day a week from 10-2:30? I am so sad I won't get to be with him all day!

The results of the race

Don't I look fabulous after driving 8 hours to get to Utah by 1 am and getting up for the race at 5 am? Good thing the great shirts designed by my cousin Dani made up for that :)We had 15 family participants in the 10K
The 5K had almost 40 participants from our family. This is my cousin Chelsea, Grant is her brother.
He whole group (minus Kim and Shane who were attending to a broken foot)
I got 88th overall and first in my family. Too bad we weren't doing family awards. It the only time I've gotten first in anything :)

This was a positive way to remember our sweet cousin Granty. We are so grateful for family support that gets us through the tough times.

Hair Cut

Before: Surfer dude, blonde beach bum, curly haired look After: Clean-cut (no curls :( )Jackson did pretty well during the cut, we used Dave's electric razor as the distractor.

We stared at Jackson all night amazed at how different he looks. We feel like we can see more of his facial expressions now. It is funny that a hair style really does change the way you see that person. I feel like my little baby is growing up!

Grant Shields Memorial Run

This Friday I am running a 10K race with about 50 of my relatives. It is a pretty amazing tradition in honor of my cousin Grant who died 10 years ago on July 24th. We got a write up in the Deseret News that brought tears to my eyes about the boy we are running to remember. Check it out HERE

My Uncle (Grant's Dad) also wrote an aritcle for the Ensign which is incredible, inspiring and beautiful about a dad's love for his son. Read that HERE

Birthday Boy

Here's the cutest boy ever! He turned 1 today! One year of life and he already has what we are all looking for love and happiness!

Jackson got a lawn mower from his aunt and uncle who were visiting. They can't wait until he can mow their lawn for them (technically Dave traded our firstborn son to them for a fruit roll up)

Making music on his new keyboard. He is so delighted when all the buttons make music. There is nothing like a kids face lighting up to make a parent want to buy them more and more gifts.

Chocolate cake. Mostly this picture is staged because he didn't make a very big mess and he definitely did NOT eat the cake, he made sure to throw every crumb he could on the ground. He loved the milkshake though!

Grandma Harper: He loves the touch and feel book and now will feel each animal.

Grandma Ahlstrom: He loves the tab in the shape book that make it easy to turn pages. THANK YOU!

From the lump of a baby that I saw last year at this time (9:19 to be exact) to the wild and crazy little boy he has become, Jackson has learn MANY things. I have found so much joy in watching and helping him learn and discover about this world. Here is a list of a few things he learned this year. I can't believe it has already been a year. Some advice that I got was to enjoy every moment. I really tried to, and I felt like I did, and yet I still feel like it passed by too quickly. I can't imagine my life before Jackson. He helps me to be a better and happier person. I love him more than I thought possible when we set out on this parenting trip. May there be many, many more happy birthdays to come!