Happy 1st Birthday Autumn!

Autumn had the best first birthday party ever!There were twenty three people at her Saturday party in Orem. All of Autumn's grandparents and almost all of her aunts, uncles, and cousins from Jonathan's side and mine got to be there. Grandma and Grandpa Phillips shared their backyard.

The party guests were entertained and entertaining. Just ask Celeste what happened after Aunt Mandy lowered her upside down behind her head.

Uncle Brian amused family before dinner by swallowing seven cupcakes in 60 seconds. Luckily, his child was't watching!

Some guests arrived as average citizens...

And then magically transformed into birthday party maniacs! Hey Jackson, where did you get the change of clothes?

Aunt Jessica set up a ball pit in the afternoon and Cousin Kloe gave Autumn a personal ball pit-jumping lesson. Kloe was so exhausted from jumping that she fell asleep on her dad during the actual party.

Out of respect for Elmo, the pinata was not hit with a bat, but shaken until wonderful toys and candy emerged.

Could it really be- candy from heaven?!!!

The Elmo and Cookie Monster cupcakes turned out better than I thought. My neighbors babysat Autumn so I could finish them. How many different facial expressions can you count on the Elmo cupcakes?
The entire Phillips Clan had their picture taken, sans Alysa and Ray who live in New Mexico, but we'll Photoshop them in soon too!

Thanks to everyone who made Autumn feel like a princess!!!

How to have a sophisticated birthday

(A card for Grammy Goose)

...

If you want to have a birthday

As sophisticated as you

I'm going now to tell you

Just what you'll need to do.

...

First you'll need a coat

One that's lined with fur

It doesnt really matter

As long as it can purr!

It's nice to have some pearls

to look at or to wear

I keep mine ever handy

To twirl in the air.

One should always remember

To be in charge today

Just hold onto that remote
And you'll always get your way.

Hats are very nice

They make birthdays lots of fun

I use mine to hide my face

When I am doing something dumb!

And last of all it seems to me
Your birthday is complete
When friends and family show their love
By telling you, You're sweet!
Happy Birthday, Grammy!!!

Love,
Autumn, Amy, and Jon

big rainstorm

After today's big rainstorm I took this picture of the Wellsville Mountains from our front porch. I really like how clean and shiny everything looks after it rains.

Half of a camping trip

Last night we took our new tent camping. Sort of. To save time we eat our oven-cooked tin foil dinner at home before we left. We drove up Temple Fork road to find a good camping spot. All the spots were taken so we watched the sunset and the stars and came home to spend the night in our own beds. We slept very well. In the morning we had our camp breakfast outside in the backyard. This picture is from Thursday when Jonathan put up the tent for the first time. Autumn was a good helper.

Conversation with an 11-month old

I just love it when Autumn speaks in complete sentences. During lunch today Autumn stood up in her high chair and resolutely said, "I done. I done."
I said, "'I done' as in I want to get out now?"
Autumn said, "Yeah" in a monster voice.
Perhaps next time I will say, "Didn't you mean to say 'I am done'?"

What, no Mono?

It's been a while since I posted here. The phone restriction has been lifted. In fact, I've decided the blood test I took for Mono returned positive because I had Mono many, many years ago. Pretty good news I think! A few days after I visited the Insta-care, they phoned to say that I had "Strep-not-type-A." I got on antibiotics and Autumn and I are feeling fine now.

Autumn wore barrettes for the first time today. She enjoys touching the sunshine.

Autumn needs two coffee tables!

And so it goes...

Now that I've scared everyone out ever calling me again, I thought I'd keep you up to date through the blog. Here I go. I took Autumn to the the doctor yesterday and discovered that she has 1.5 ear infections. Somehow it always makes you feel better when the doctor actually finds something wrong when you go in to see him or her. Jonathan was up three times with Autumn for the second night in a row, but we're hoping she'll sleep better tonight now that she is on antibiotics and is starting to feel better. Jonathan has been very kind to let me try and get more rest by tending Autumn and letting me sleep in the basement.

My most fabulous friend brought us homemade chicken noodle soup for dinner last night. It is fantastic. I think I'd get sick just to have some more.

I get to teach the young women this Sunday at church. The topic is abortion. Silly me for waiting until now to look at it. Oh wait, I've been sick. Well, I think I'll manage. I just need to write down every word I'm going to say before I get there.

Jonathan's trip to Washington D.C. has been postponed until just after Labor Day. That gives us more time to get better. I really like Washington D.C. Someday I'll go with Jonathan and spend my time at the Smithsonians.

Jonathan's dad's birthday was yesterday. Happy Birthday Dad!