Happy Birthday!

YeeeeeeeeeeeHAWWWWWWWWW! August's first birthday was so much fun! We had my mom fly in from Boston on Thursday (she went from 14º to 80º in one day) and Kris' mom and dad arrived on Saturday after driving down from Colorado. August got to show everyone his new walking moves and was fuzzing around the house like crazy, being a good little clown for his adoring fans. The kid is a ham bone for sure and looooooves the attention he gets when the grands are around.

My mom and I went out and got the western party supplies on Friday, went food shopping on Saturday and prepared for the BBQ on Sunday. I got my drunken beans started nice and early and got the carrot cake (such a good recipe!) and corn muffins baked off while I made maple cream cheese frosting. Kris woke up at 7:30 on Sunday to get his 6 pound brisket smoking on the grill (after having marinated it all night). Words cannot describe how utterly perfect it was 10 hours later. Beautiful pink smoke ring, tangy vinegary crust and fragrant with oak wood - delicious! We finished up the evening with singing and cake - as most do at a birthday. Although because of my incredible dislike of babies covered in food, we fork fed him his cake slice. I know, a terrible tragedy to some, but he seemed to enjoy it just as much as if it had been smashed in his hair.

Thanks to everyone for the well wishing, presents and for sharing his life with us this past year. I can't believe it's gone by so fast. My little boy is all grown up!!!!!

***As you may have noticed in the photos Kris decided to rip our deck up a day or two before company arrived. After a short blood pressure attack, I was happy he started it while he had the chance. Plus his dad was able to pitch in an give him a hand while he was here. Thanks Mike! Kris now has the deck half done and should be finishing it up by this weekend. More pictures on that project later.