Anna Kate's first birthday has come and gone.  To share in some of the excitement of her big day, we have posted some pictures online online and you can see them by clicking here.  

It was a very fun and very special day.  To be honest, it doesn't really feel like a whole year has passed.  To her parent's great joy, Anna Kate discovered cake and I think it would be difficult to argue with the fact that SHE LOVES IT.  We had some close family over and enjoyed a hot, July day.  John and Linda made the trip down despite having just come back from a week of pulling teeth in Honduras and moving into a new home (or quasi moving).  Anna Kate is blessed to have family that loves her.

She is growing quickly and trying very hard to start walking.  She has managed 6 or 7 steps and seems to be willing to walk to one of her grandads more than to anyone else.  She is really coming into her own and we are starting to see her personality shine through.  She is an absolute sweetie pie, but she does have a bit of a temper (not sure who that comes from).

Ben did a great job with his little sister's birthday.  The morning of, he and I went and he picked out a present for her.  Despite the fact that I think he chose it due to his personal interest in the toy, he went out of his way to point out that it is Anna Kate's present and has even asked her if he can play with it (followed by taking it away despite her response).

 The 4th of July was a blast and packed full of fun.  We started by going to breakfast with Justin, Shannon and Hunter Brown.  Afterwards, while Anna Kate took her nap, Ben and I went to the Browns for his first ride on a jet ski.  As a dad, I am happy to report that he really enjoyed it (up until we took a pretty large wave across the bow and he got water in his eyes).  It was fun having Hunter and Ben out on the jet skis and I hope they continue to love the water.  Hunter Brown is much more fearless around fish.  While on the dock, Justin was cast netting for mullet then letting the kids play with them.  Hunter charged in without regard, while Ben kept saying "no touch it".  However, he wanted to see them and was upset when I'd put them back in the water.  After our day on the dock, we took the whole family out to the beach where Ben and Emma ran around while Anna Kate chewed on sand by the handful and daddy and Danny body surfed.  We packed that up after a couple hours and took off back to the house to cook out burgers with the Finn's and let the kids play in the pool.

Kevin put on a fireworks spectacular and the kids seemed to like it....up until the point that one of them exploded.