One year old!

Our sweet baby boy turned 1 on the 20th. Oh what a wonderfully busy year he's given our family. Carson is FULL of life and ALWAYS exploring.  He's fun to watch and a workout to chase.  He grows faster than weeds and readily eats any and everything.  He's our biggest baby weighing in his 1st big day at a whopping 24 lbs!  He has an endearing, albeit often challenging independent and stubborn personality. He keeps us on our toes.  Some of his favorites right now include:
EATING
climbing everything (chain link fences, the stove, dishwasher, you name it)
playing peekaboo with the curtains/doors/my skirt at church
throwing balls and chasing them
crawling up the stairs
standing up in his carseat quicker than we can buckle him
rolling over and out of his clean diaper before I can get it on him
slapping the tv because he likes the gasps we all give him
opening any drawer within reach, standing on his tip toes, reaching in and throwing out everything he find
yanking clean clothes out of the laundry basket
throwing his sippy cup off his highchair tray repeatedly
flashing us his turbo grin
giving open mouth kisses
letting me rock and snuggle him for at least 45 seconds before he's done
binky for comfort and sleep
loves to be outside
especially adores his older siblings

On his actual Birthday, the girls wrapped up a couple fun toys I found at a great yard sale last month.  Then, last night we had a couple family friends over and we had cake and ice cream while visiting in the yard. The big kids looooved the trampoline and Carson enjoyed the view from his new swing (thanks so much for the perfect present Grandpa and Grandma Eccles).  Emma made and decorated his cake all by herself. She decided that since the word "cars" is in his name that a "cars" (not the movie) cake was in order.  She also made a second cake just for him.  She called it his "smash" cake and decorated a bullseye target on it so that his hands had a target to smash into. It was very special to have her take on this task...not to mention helpful.  Yesterday the kids and I took him to the splash pad to celebrate Birthday month with his centering friends.  Even though only 3 of the 7 centering babies could make it, we still had a wonderful time splashing and picnicking on pizza and watermelon.  We pulled into the driveway at the same time the party goers arrived at our house.  Talk about day of festivities.  Carson must have known it was going to be a big day because he prepared with 5 hours of naps. I hope you enjoy the pictures below of the now 1 year old!!!