Stella's Winter ONEderland!

Stella's 1st Birthday Party was a day I will never forget!  A lot of hard work and preparation was put into this party (and to be honest, I don't think I will ever do a party this extravagant again) but it was worth it in the end.  I had so much fun putting together every little detail, and I'm very happy with how it turned out!

Hopefully most of these pictures speak for themselves.  Prepare for picture overload!  

Serious Josie

 Adorable Sadie Mae

I love when these three cousins play so sweet together!

Tyler and Eliza

 Josh and Shirley 

 Brian and Brittany

 Avarie, Jessica, and Brayli

 Jared and Jordan

Travis and Josh 

Grandpa and Grandma Madsen

 (As a side note:  I am so ridiculously mad at myself.  I don't know why, but I don't have pictures of a few VERY important people who were at this party.  Whether I just didn't take their picture, or they were deleted from my camera, I don't know.  But Erin, Heidi, Jason, and my mom and dad - you were NOT unnoticed!  We were so thankful to have you there!  Also, in the craziness of this day, we never got a photo of Stella, Josh, and I together.  Can someone please teach me how to take pictures?!)

Not so sure about this cake...

First taste...

Getting the hang of it...

 It took a minute, but she eventually loved it and dove right in!

Josh and I are so grateful to everyone who was able to take time out of their busy lives to come support Stella, and for your generous gifts, food, etc.  Also, a special thanks to my parents who let us completely take over their basement and help put all of this together.  This girl was totally spoiled!  We couldn't be happier with the family and friends who constantly show how much they love and care for us!  

I still can't believe my teeny tiny Stella girl is growing into a toddler!  Love her oh so much!

Stella's 1st Birthday!

Our little girl had her first birthday on January 24th.  Her birthday this year fell on a Thursday, and as luck would have it, Josh has class literally all day on Thursdays this semester.  He leaves for school before Stella wakes up, and doesn't get home until after she is already in bed.  Poor dad didn't even get to see her on her actual birthday.  So instead, we "celebrated" the night before.  (When I say celebrated, I mean she opened a few presents from mom and dad, and grandma and grandpa G.  And when I say she opened a few presents, I mean we opened them while she sort of helped!)  Shh!  Don't tell her we celebrated the day before her actual birthday.  I figured she really doesn't know the difference, right?  (We did have a big bash for her a few days later, but that deserves its own post!)

My mom and dad gave her this ADORABLE chair.  I am probably more obsessed with it than Stella, but she does sit in it every day and watches a show or plays with some toys.  I figure it will be even better once she is old enough to sit and look at books. They also gave her some books and the movie "Cinderella"!

 Josh and I mostly gave her some clothes, along with a pair of jammies and the "Happy Birthday to You" book by Dr. Seuss.  I thought it would be a fun tradition to read that every time there is a birthday in the family!

And here she is eating the wrapping paper.  That's always an important part of opening gifts around here!

I think she was pretty happy with the gifts she was given :)  All smiles, all the time!  

To Our Sweet Stella Girl,

Your first year was the fastest of our lives.  We truly can't believe it has been an entire year since we welcomed you into our family.  You have brought so much joy and love into our lives, and we could not be more grateful to be able to call you ours.   We can barely remember how our lives were before you, and we simply cannot imagine life without you now!  You have been the happiest baby girl, making us happy each day.  We hope you keep that sweet disposition throughout your life so that you can continue to bless everyone around you, the way you have already done for so many people in just your first year.  

Always remember how much your mommy and daddy adore you!  We love you Stella Anne and are so proud to call your our daughter!  

Stella's 12-month Photos

Could she be any more perfect?!