Happy Birthday Camden!

Camden turns 1 year old today!! He is such a big boy. He loves playing with his sister and running around outdoors. He is talking a little bit more, but only when he wants to. Some words he is saying are mom, dad, hi, bye-bye, dog, ball, and cracker. We had a birthday party for him with family last weekend. He was more interested in the wrapping paper than the presents and wanted to share the paper with everyone in the room. He thoroughly enjoyed his own personal Elmo cake that Nana made for him and made quite a mess. He was throwing it in his hair by the end. Needless to say Camden needed a bath and Morgan was happy to help clean up the mess he made.

Playing with his balloon

Opening gifts

Sharing his tissue paper

The family

Elmo cake Nana made

Just getting started

Frosting taken care of, now onto the cake

He thought he was so funny!

Putting it in his hair (most of the cake did end up in the high chair..he didn't eat all of it!)

Showing that he is 1 year old!

Toddler Trot

Both kids were able to participate in the Toddler Trot this year. They ran in the same heat. Lauren took second place and Camden took fourth. He did really good walking down to the finish line, but turned around before he got there! We thought he would take off into the crowd, so he did better than expected. (: Here is some video of the race.

Parades

We went to both parades during Cherry Festival. Thursday night was the kid's parade and Saturday was the Cherry Royale Parade. We met up with the Dykstra and Vugteveen families for the kid's parade. Papa came too! On Saturday we watched the parade with Great Grandma Merchant. Both kids loved the parades, especially the bands with music so they could dance!

Kylynn Vugteveen, Mikayla Dykstra, and Lauren

Camden enjoying the parade with Papa

Sitting like a big boy!

The kids with Great Grandma Merchant (she turned 91 this year!)

Our family

Carnival Rides

Lauren was tall enough this year to enjoy the carnival rides at the Cherry Festival. She had a blast! She went on a few by herself and went on some with Mom and Dad. Camden even had fun watching with all the action and lights around him. He was dancing to the music in his stroller!

Driving a race car

Flying high with Dad on the Dumbo ride

Riding the school bus with Mom

We had a good view of the festivities!

Another race car ride that whipped her around the corners!

With her prize from a carnival game

Camden watching the rides around him

Family Fun Night

We meet my good friend Kristi and her two girls at the park for Family Fun Night activities. Lauren and Kylynn are the same age and get along famously. They hugged each other when they first saw each other and were holding hands and walking through the park. There was a lot to do including face painting, fishing, jumping on inflatables, and riding an old fashioned fire truck. Camden enjoyed some of the activities too, although he was more interested in walking all over the place, especially if it was AWAY from you! It's a fun game for him. (:

Lauren and Kylynn hugging

Jumping!!

Riding on the fire truck

Lauren and Camden on the fire truck with Nana

Lauren driving the big fire truck

Camden sitting on the fire truck

Camden and Addisyn (the only way we could keep them from running away from us!)

Best of friends holding hands

Princess Tea Party

We went to a new event at the Cherry Festival called "Princess Tea". Young girls were invited to dress up like a princess and join the Cherry Queen and the queen candidates for a tea party. Lauren was SO EXCITED! We had a great time. She wore a cherry dress that Nana made for her and got to wear her tiara. She even got to drink out of a real tea cup and have cookies and cupcakes. She loved meeting the Cherry Queen and the candidates and whenever we saw them the rest of the week she wanted to go say hi.
Princess Lauren

Cherry face painting!

Mom and her princess

Sipping on tea (it was actually cherry lemonade)

Lauren with the current Cherry Queen

4th of July

Happy 4th of July! We spent the day enjoying some Cherry Festival activities. Then we watched a firework show from our front yard put on over Long Lake. Nana and Papa came over and had s'mores before the fireworks. Lauren and Camden loved the treats and the show as well. It was nice to head in to bed directly after the fireworks were over. We have a busy week ahead with Cherry Festival. We'll be sure to update at the end of the week!Smiling siblings in their patriotic outfits!Roasting marshmallows for s'mores
Enjoying the treat
Cam too!