Birthday gifts from Mommy and Daddy

When Craig and I started talking about birthday gifts for the boys, we realized that we were spending a small fortune on the party and they will already be getting more gifts than they know what to do with from grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins, and other family and friends.  So, we decided to just do a couple of small gifts that would be meaningful to the boys for years to come.  Mommy found these really cool blocks online and ordered them for the boys.  And, Mommy talked to a good friend of hers from high school who is quite the seamstress about making the boys some blankets.  So, here are the pictures of the birthday gifts from Mommy and Daddy!

And on the bottom they have "A special gift from Mommy and Daddy" and the Bible Verses that we used at their baby dedication: Jeremiah 29:11 and Joshua 1:9.

 

Birthday presents

The boys were very tired after the birthday party.  Too tired to open any gifts.  We decided that we would open gifts the next day.  After lunch, we opened the gifts, both from family and friends.  Here are some pictures of the boys opening presents (or being in the general area as Mommy and Daddy opened the presents):

Jack reads a birthday card with Mommy.

Jack really is looking forward to opening the gifts.

The boys are interested in the gifts as we open them.

Mark is trying to open a big gift while Jack is looking at a birthday card.

Near the end of opening the gifts, it looks like Christmas in July.

4 Grandparents, 2 Grandsons.  It doesn't get better than this.

Look at us on our new train.  We love it!

The Birthday Party in Pictures

The party was a huge success.  The boys did very well.  The party started at 11.  We had friends and family over.  Everyone seemed to have a good time.  All kids played well together.  It didn't matter that the kids were between 10 months and 6 years.  It was a really good time.  Mark really went to town on his smash cake while Jack was a little bit more reserved.  Well, Jack was also very hungry and he thought that when we went put him in his high chair, it was lunch time.  However, we wound up giving him a smash cake when he thought he was getting carrots and apples.  It was not what he expected.  They got their food very soon afterwards while everyone else also ate.  A good time was had by all.  It was a memorable day as Jack and Mark celebrated their first birthday.  It seems just like last week when we brought them home from the hospital.  Now they are a year old.  Time flies. 

Here are some pictures from the birthday party:

The boys with Mommy and Daddy right before the smash cakes.

Jack and Grandpa looking at the cake before smash time.

It's my party and I am waiting patiently at the front door for my friends.  - Mark

A few seconds before smash time.  Happy Birthday boys!

It's SMASH TIME!   Jack is looking like "what do I do with this?"

As Mark destroys the cake, Jack looks over at the carnage.

This is a lot of fun.  Jack, you need to start doing the same with your cake bro.  - Mark

Did I cause a big enough mess?  - Mark

I didn't cause a big mess but at least I got some icing in my ear.  - Jack

I turned my head to listen to everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to me and I accidentally got my right side of my face in the cake.  Oops.  - Jack

Mommy and Mark enjoy the party.

Mimi holds both boys as they both look at what is going on to their right.

Mark is thinking if he should start playing with Granna's necklace.

Jack is looking around thanking people for being there with his big smile.

Mark waves to one of his lady friends who just smiled at him.

Mark and Mommy are smiling when he looked around and saw the big party for him and his brother.

Poppy and Mark enjoy some birthday party time together.

With Mark getting his diaper changed, Jack was able to have all the women surround him as he puts their digits into his phone.

The look of the house right before the Birthday Party begins

On Saturday, July 17, we had the boys first birthday party.  Heather had been thinking and planning this party for a long time.  She worked long and hard in getting everything prepared for the party.  She had some good help as well.  Granna helped out a lot getting things ready while Mimi helped getting ready some last minute things once she and Poppy got to town the day before.

On the day of the party, while the boys were taking a very long nap, Heather, Craig, Granna, Grandpa, Mimi, and Poppy all did the last couple of items in getting ready for the party.  Here are some pictures of what the house looked like before guests arrived:

The kitchen table.  Looks like someones turning one, don't ya think?

Mmm.  Good food over here.

Beautiful cake for the adults and Happy Birthday cupcakes for the kids.

Mark's 1st birthday cake...aka...the smash cake.

Jack's 1st birthday cake...aka...the smash cake.

On the screened in porch, this is the place where the drinks are.

On the dining room table, the scrapbooks from the boys first year were shown.  Also, we had pictures of Heather and Craig when we were one.  Oh yeah...don't forget the party hats.

The party treat bags separated for boys and girls.

Autograph picture mats where well wishers wrote to Jack and Mark.

Any changes in the past year?

Now that the boys are one year old, we thought it would be nice to go back and look to see how far we have come in only 12 months.  Here are a few pictures of Mommy and Daddy with Mark and Jack from the beginning compared to now:

The first day that we were home as a complete family.

One year later. 

Here are some pictures of the boys in their car seats to show how they have grown (we now have to include the boys in their stroller as they aren't in their car seats anymore):

10 days old.  Jack is on the left, Mark is on the right.

3 months old.  Mark is on the left, Jack is on the right.

7 months old. Jack is on the left, Mark is on the right.

8 months old. Jack is on the left, Mark is on the right.

9 months old. Mark is on the left, Jack is on the right.

10 months old.  Mark is on the left.  Jack is on the right.

1 year old.  Mark is on the left.  Jack is on the right.

Smash Cake at the first Birthday party

On Saturday, we had the boys' first birthday party.  We will have more pictures from this later this week.  Here is the video of the guests singing Happy Birthday to the boys as well as watching the boys tackle their smash cakes.  As you can see, Mark tears apart the cake while Jack is more reserved about his smash cake.

Happy Birthday Jack and Mark!

One year ago today, Jack DeVault and Mark DeVault were born.  It is hard to believe that they have been with us for a year.  We have had such a good year with the boys.  We are really fortunate and lucky to have such good boys. 

This morning, the boys wore a special outfit to daycare today.  Here is what they were:

Who's the birthday boy?  I am the birthday boy.  - Mark

 

Why am I all smiles?  It's my birthday!!!  - Jack

Before, we all went to work and daycare, we had to have our picture taken at the exact minute the boys were born.  For the exact time, we used the clocks in each kid's room.

Jack thinks back at what happened exactly one year ago at 8:43 AM.  "It has been a good year." - Jack

At 8:46 AM, Mark was born.  Mark is checking the time to make sure that we are taking this picture at the right time on the clock.

After work and daycare, the boys told us they wanted to go out for dinner.  We asked them where they wanted to go.  They said at the same time "Take us to Red Robin."  So off we went.  While at the restaurant, we took a couple of pictures.

Who is having the most fun?  I am.  - Mark

It's my birthday and I will look cute if I want to, cute if I want to...  - Mark

Jack is pondering what to order off the menu.  "Burgers, Chicken, Salad.  So many items to choose from.  I don't know.  Let's go with the old reliable.  Rice cereal, sweet potatoes, and apples with blueberries, all courtesy of Gerber.  Good choice."  - Jack

Simon says touch your ear closest to a parent.  Good job boys, says Simon.

 

"What the heck is this?  Hey Jack, what is this big red bird looking thing?  Is this the Louisville mascot?" - Mark

"Mark, can we get this furry thing outta here.  Does he not understand we have melting ice cream in front of us that needs to be eaten?"  - Jack

The DeVault family at the boys' first birthday dinner.