Ian's First Steps

While our family was here, Ian loved walking around with anyone who would hold his fingers! He has started to MUCH prefer walking to sitting, crawling, or being carried.


Uncle Andrew challenged Ian to walk while holding just ONE hand. Leave it to the physical therapist to think of giving Ian something else (like a ball) to hold in the other hand. Holding a ball in one hand really (surprisingly!) seemed to help Ian feel more balanced.Ian's first steps (soon after his party on May 1, 2010) were walking between Uncle Andrew and Daddy. We didn't even have a camera ready! We didn't think Ian was close to being able to walk! Surprise!! Here, Uncle Jason entices Ian to walk over to him by placing a toy from Grandpa and Grandma on his head.


Here, Ian prepares to walk into Papa's waiting arms.
Look how proud Ian is to be walking! (And, I guess his Mama and Daddy are pretty proud, too!) Check out the videos below to "watch in on" Ian's very first steps on his own!

Fun Family Time

Smooches from both sides ... What a blessing to have family from Billings, MT; Lubbock, TX; and Albuquerque, NM, to help celebrate Ian's special day!! Thanks for coming, dear family! We love you!
A hug for Aunt Amy!
Ian is intrigued with the images on Uncle Jason's camera!
SLAM DUNK! Before we know it, Ian will be tall enough to slam dunk himself on this cool basket from Uncle Jason & Aunt Amy.
Recently, Ian has been loving "throwing" a ball to (or somewhere in the vicinity of) someone else.
Is Aunt Amy teaching Ian to juggle?
A group shot where we're all actually looking at the camera!! :) (Good job, Ian!)
On Saturday evening after the party, we enjoyed playing Frisbee Golf at a neighboring church's course. Good throw, Papa!
The terrain was a little treacherous for Ian's stroller :)
... and also, apparently, for the discs. Don't worry ... Andrew actually FOUND the Frisbee in the "pond."


We also found fresh, yummy wild blackberries along the course.
Matt definitely has an arm for throwing the Frisbee ...
... even though Team Jason & Sarah emerged victorious!
Grammy, Papa, and Ian pose for a shot after church on Sunday. On Monday, Grammy and Papa took Ian to story time!

We celebrated Kim's brother, Andrew's, birthday (a little early!) while everyone was together. Matt grilled steaks, and Kim & her mom made a Boston creme pie. Yum! The creative, beautiful birthday banner was crafted by Aunt Sarah. (By the way, Sarah and Andrew have a great blog with even more pictures of Ian's birthday. Check it out at thewalquists.blogspot.com.)
The "other" birthday boy
fun times with Uncle Jason -- getting pushed around in a box!



Just chillin' with Uncle Andrew!

More Birthday Party Pics

Ian immediately fell in love with this fun, sparkly box! The cute outfit and puzzle inside were pretty cool, too. :)
Brooke and Ian enjoyed playing with the jack-in-the-box during the party.
Caleb socialized while enjoying a yummy bottle.
Little Micah was so cute sitting up in the Bumbo seat like a big boy!
Eli, Micah, and Annie enjoyed their lunch!
Here's the barnyard cake -- definitely an adventure to create!! Ian sampled a chocolate cow cupcake as his first "piece" of cake.
Getting some lovin' from Aunt Sarah!
I don't know about this cake, but the ice cream is SURE GOOD!
Farmer Ian, all dressed up in the onesie that Aunt Sarah designed.

Ian's Newest Skills

This video shows Ian's ability to knock with his fist.




Uncle Andy and Aunt Beth gifted Ian with some cool Nebraska items. Ian can throw a ball pretty well right now. Go Huskers!!




Grammy did quite well teaching Ian to push a truck.

Cake Time [Video]

We had the Oblingers over on Ian's actual birthday. What a difference a few days make: Ian was timid when trying to eat his cupcake during his birthday party, but he "let his hair down" while eating this other piece of cake. Way to go, little man!!

Let's Celebrate!!

Ian really enjoyed his birthday party. Here, Momma is assisting Ian in opening his gift from Grandma and Grandpa Schleicher in Michigan. Ian really enjoyed the items that Grandma and Grandpa sent, and he especially enjoyed holding his "birthday scepter" as he opened additional gifts.

The NY Walquists sent Ian a very creative "card" that was displayed in our kitchen during the birthday party. Each of the four NY Walquists decorated a letter or number--as you can see, Ian was thrilled to have the opportunity to start learning to read upside down.
Uncle Andrew set up Skype so that Grandpa and Grandma in Michigan could see Ian enjoying his first bites of cake and ice cream. Here, Daddy is using the speakerphone option on his cell phone to make sure that Grandma and Grandpa could also hear what was going on at the party during these moments. Ian liked the chocolate cupcake, but he did not smear the frosting all over his face as we would have liked (I guess being neat is not a bad thing).
"Would you please get this marshmallow off of my finger." Ian
Aunt Amy and Uncle Jason gifted Ian with a little kid basketball hoop. Grammy and Papa helped transport this gift so that the travelers from Montana wouldn't have to try to get this large box on the plane. Aunt Amy creatively wrapped this present and even used several bows to show how old Ian is.

Birthday Party Prep

We celebrated Ian's first birthday on Saturday, May 1. Ian's Aunt Sarah was the mastermind behind the house decorations, and she is shown here labeling the party favor bags for all of the little kids that came to the party.
Ian's uncles (Jason and Andrew) pitched in and swept the front walk and the end of the driveway as well.
Grammy and Papa put the finishing touches on Ian's farm/barnyard birthday cake.
Momma took her time placing each Life cereal square in just the right spot to make the roof look really good.
Aunt Sarah enjoyed decorating all of the pig cupcakes.
Watch out...these master cake decorators are not only ready for more frosting but are prepared to challenge you on the gridiron as well.
Aunt Sarah making sure that she has all of the candy supplies.