Liv's 1st Birthday-take 1, 2, 3, & 4

Great Grandma Donita
The weekend before Liv's Birthday (Aug.11th) we spent Saturday and Sunday with Lateaf's side of the family. On Saturday (take 1) we were off to Lateaf's mom & step dad's house for Val's pizza, cake, and presents. Brother J.R., step grandma Donita, Frank's mom Shirley, aunt and uncle Randy and Jeanine were all in attendance to share the special occasion. Sunday (take 2) we headed to his dad and step mom's house for Jimmy John subs and more cake & presents. My camera bit the dust..aka I ruined it:( so there aren't many pictures from either day. This year we decided to have a few gatherings instead of one big one. We ended up celebrating her birthday four different times. WHOA! They were all real intimiate and informal so it was nice.

On her actual birth-day (Take 3) Aunt Kate and Aunt Amy came over and we had dinner, cupcakes, and more presents. Liv was NOT a fan of her cupcake as seen here on footage from that gathering via my cell phone...

Take 4- was spent at the lake with my side of the fam. More food, more presents, and more cake. The funny thing is that she didn't eat ANY of it. She put it to her lips once and that was it. Therefore we ate lots of birthday cake on her behalf:)

singing to the birthday girl & her assistant who blows out the candle for her:)

playing with our new presents w/ Aunt Kate

Birthday girl was wipped out. We didn't start "celebrating" until late after we took a sun set boat ride so it became a late night. She was a such a trooper. Happy 1st Birthday to our sweet and perfect 2nd born child. (4 takes later;)

Me @ the 2011 Dorsey Fam reunion...

I played photographer, got 2nd place in the balloon toss, tended to kiddos, did sparklers with Harper (who wasn't a huge fan but tolerated it for momma's sake:) and had so much fun taking in all the festivities. It was the best family reunion I've ever been too. Extra huge props and thank you to my parents, Grams Dorsey and Uncle Tim & Aunt Tracey for working so hard to make it all happen.

The Hubs @ the Dorsey Fam Reunion...

helped set up, tended to the kiddos, took guests on a boat ride, was my partner for balloon toss, mingled with the family, and had a blast on the motorcycle...

Tough biker dude?!

Notice the hubs? He's catching the water balloon with some intensity:)

Harper @ the Dorsey Fam Reunion

I can only assume with Livy that she enjoyed the reunion, but I am 100 percent positive Harper had a fantastic time. She played her little heart out with kids. She rode on the boat, played with bubbles, swam in the pool, and threw water balloons. The only downer part for her was the firework show. She made it clear that night, over and over again, saying she doesn't like fireworks. Since that night, she continues to make it clear that she DOESN'T like fireworks. Other than the fact that she DOESN'T like fireworks, I would say she had a ball at her second family reunion.

Liv @ the Dorsey Fam Reunion

There are hundreds of pictures from the Dorsey Family Reunion. To break it down more effeciently, these pictures depict what Liv experienced during the event. She was held by many, ate crackers, laughed a lot, wore cousin Chloe's sun glasses, swam in the pool, parallel played with a distant relative (the little boy in the picture), and was a gem the entire time. She fell asleep before the big fire work show at night and suprisingly slept through all the loud booms which were a short distance from her room. I would say she had a great time at her first family reunion.

It's not always rainbows and butterflies...

But for me, on this fine summer day, I not only saw one but two rainbows on my drive home from Lincoln to Omaha. (a few weeks back) It came at a time when I was feeling rather low about life (work, death, and sickness) so the sight of these two beautiful rays of life was perfect. I was in ahh for the 10 mintues or so as I drove under them. It brought me a sense of peace to this chaos of life. Even thought it can't always be rainbows and butterflies, for those moments I was able to relinquish those funky energies and hold onto the natural beauty that was right in front of my eyes.

One year ago today...

This beautiful soul entered the world...
Happy 1st Birthday Livia Jade. From the day I meet eyes with you I feel in love. This past year has been perfectly busy raising you and your big sis. You have been so easy to take care of. I'm not sure if you are necessarily "easier" than your sister or if we are just better at knowing what is going on, but either way you are a pretty chill kid. You beautiful big brown eyes melt me daily. You do this sweet head butting thing (gently) when you are tired. You love to cuddle and will give sweet kisses without being asked. As of lately you have started developing your own voice in the world and a lot of the times it comes with sass and a swat to get your point across. You love it when I bite your cheeks (not really bite but grab your cheeks with my mouth). You LOVE your momma and the minute I walk in the door you need to be in my arms. You are a great sleeper through the night and have been better at naps as of late. You want everything your sister has and will take it away, no problem. Your first word was "hi" and you say it all the time. You only say "mum" when you are mad or tired. You are trying to mimic words that people say around you. You are a little skinny minnie and seem to be a bit of a picky eater. Your favorite food is crackers. You are very hesitant to try new foods. You won't let us put anything in your mouth and will sometimes try what we put in front of you. Other times you will chuck it on the floor. You toddle around all day long and explore the world around you. It is fascinating to be your mother and watch you learn and grow. I can't say it enough how blessed and grateful I am. Thank you for one FANTASTIC year of being your "mum!"

Getting Ready for...

The Dorsey Family Reunion...

Grandma put up the flag

Harper filled the pool

Grandpa mowed the lawn

Lateaf organized tackle boxes

Alot of people helped put up the slide/pool

Lateaf and Grams carrying food for the cream canned feast

Grams and Aunt Kathy cleaned the corn

Uncle Kim & Aunt Kathy shucked corn

Shannon, Jay, and Harper shucked more corn

Grandma spray painted the welcome sign

Grandpa & Uncle Tim tooled around in golf carts doing odds and ends

A lot of people helping put up the tent

setting up the back drop for the tv screen/picture slide show

and getting hair braided by Aunt Shannon!

Sunday July 3rd we had the Dorsey Family Reunion at the lake. In the days before hand we "got ready" for the big day. We headed in from our Colorado trip and spent a few days before the big party setting up and relaxing. It is tradition for our immediate family to spend the 4th weekend at the lake. This year there was just 100 or so extra people:) During the day people swam in the lake, pool, or slide pool...fished...played in the sand...took boat rides...played the balloon toss...played horse shoes...and conversed. For dinner we had a fantastic Uncle Tim special "cream can feed" and then Grandma Dorsey (great gram to the girls) had a little presentation. Then, my cousin Nathan and 5 friends put on an AMAZING fire work show. (which he does every year) This firework show wass better than any "professional" show I have ever seen. What a great weekend we had to end our week long vacation.