Clara's birthday #5...the cake.

To avoid too much of a mess (yeah, I'm that mom), I put down a plastic tablecloth for Clara's cake experience.  At first, she touched it, and that was about it.

 She hated the feel of the tablecloth, though.  She just wanted up at first.

 I finally reached out and grabbed the cucake and brought it to her lips.  After that, she was a little more interested. 

 Mmmmm, this is kinda good.

 Classic!

 Now, she's going for it. 

 And then, she got over it! 

 She just wanted someone to pick her up!

 And Aunt Angie swooped in to rescue her...and get lovingly covered in cake and frosting!

Here is a video of the beginning her her cake experience.  You can see her getting into it, and you can her her loyal fans in the background, cheering her on!  Love it!

Clara's birthday #4...getting ready for cake, and a song.

When it was time to sing to Clara, we stripped her down to her tutu.

 We lit the candles, and started to sing to her.  She saw the candle, tried to touch it, then she got super excited and ran away!  Are these her little survival skills at work?

 Then she turned around and clapped at her candle.

 And then she looked at everyone like we were crazy!

 These next pictures are just the best!  Look at all these people who mean everything to Clara!  She is such a lucky little girl!

My Dad's birthday is the day before Clara's, so we had him blow out the candles on the big cake. It worked out beautifully!  These two will be able to celebrate together every year, just like my Mom and I (both June 29) and Kurtis (May 31) and Ben (June 1), and Brad (Jan. 24) and Angie (Feb. 3).  I love that our family shares some birthdays!  The more, the merrier!

 She was a ham...she loved all the attention during her song!

Cake anyone?

Clara's birthday #3...the guests arrive.

Clara is so lucky to live so close to many family members who love adore her. 

 She loves them right back!  (Sorry it is blurry, but kissy pictures are always so cute!)

 Clara's Auntie Em was in attendance.

 I had to throw this picture in.  This was right after Emily held Clara way up high and some of Clara's drool landed in Emily's mouth.  Hopefully you weren't checking this blog post while eating your lunch.  If you were...sorry.

 Clara's Oma and Opa were at her party.

 So were Grandma and Grandpa Brooks.

 So were Uncle Brad and Auntie Angie.

 And Uncle Brian.

 He knows how to win her heart...by letting her look at his electronic device!

We missed Steve and Teenie and cousins Ben and Will.  They came down for the weekend, but had to head back to Palouse on Monday, so they couldn't attend this party.  But don'tt worry...we partied all weekend with them! 

Clara's birthday #2...the pre-funk party...one year old style.

Here is Clara, hanging out with her Dad before her party.

 Once I had her dressed in her party atire, she just wanted to run around the house and do the normal things she always does.

 Like visit with her puppies...

 take a water break on the stairs...

 kiss the puppies...

 make funny faces with her Mama...

 give the camera super funny looks...

 and play with her toys.

 (love the belly hanging out!)

 Oh little girl...you're so unsuspecting!  You have no idea what the next couple hours have in store for you!

this little girl is one today.

One year ago today, at 2:18 pm, we welcomed a little 7 lb. 14 oz. baby girl into our lives.  We named her Clara Ann.  It is a joy for Kurtis and I to be her parents.  We love her with all our hearts!  Her official one year post will be coming soon.  Right now, we're just soaking up every minute we have with this little ray of sunshine and giving her as many squeezes as she'll allow.

Happy birthday, chickadee!