Turkey and more...

What a busy and blessed week it has been at the Alfaro home. We enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner with our nearby family, who happen to be the best cooks when it comes to all things starchy! Dressing, rice, gravy, corn, pie...who needs a bird? Ivy was her adorable self...and she was actually awake for Thanksgiving this year! Here she was last year...



Then we spent the weekend decorating. Ivy's help was invaluable (in that there wasn't value to measure) but her enjoyment of all the new sights was more than enough motivation to brave the cold, and the little hands pulling at the tree, and all the things that take away the Christmas spirit. Having Ivy around and a little Christmas music on the radio could fill the Grinch with the wonder of the season. (And USA's fifteenth showing of ELF is always there too!)



When Ivy woke up Saturday morning, the tree was finished...


In the evening, she was still curious but cautious...



Who needs mistletoe?


This is quintessential Ivy...a fish face and a swimmy diaper in hand. I had to post it.


Outside she wanted to help Papa decorate the roof...


Cute and Cold...

It was a Birthday Week!

Thursday was Ivy's first birthday, and she celebrated on antibiotics thanks to something she caught from her Papa. She looked cute as a button anyway!


Then Friday, she wanted to let everyone know tht she was 1 year old!



Saturday Ivy discovered the fun of a baton. Her momma can't wait for the day a few years from now, when Ivy will actually twirl that baton!

Can it be her birthday already?

This week's big event was the celebration for Ivy's first birthday (although there are still 4 days until she officially turns 1, and her momma's counting every one of them)! Lots of friends and family joined us yesterday to share their love for our girl. She is so blessed, as are we!




At first Ivy didn't really know what to think about the birthday cake that was all for her...


She figured it out with a little guidance from Papa.




Ivy has wonderfully generous people in her life! She got some really cool presents, and a nice donation to St. Jude's Children's Hospital that will be made in her honor.



And she is lucky to have some strong women in her life. She is blessed for so many reasons...



If you just wish there were more pictures to see, check out the slide show below...

A fun, busy week for this Chick!

Ivy celebrated her first Halloween this week. She had a Halloween Carnival at school and her mommy let her try part of a sugar cookie with icing. This is probably the biggest news of the week!


On Halloween Evening Ivy met up with her friends Ben, Noah, and Owen. She's lucky to have her pick of quality men at such a young age!


They made quite a line up preparing to raid candy bowls throughout the neighborhood.



Ivy's Papa was such a trooper. She is SO lucky to have such a loving, involved father in her life (as am I)!





Ivy's Nanny left the day after Halloween, but not before they had a chance to play around...



As if this wasn't enough action, Hurricane Ivy rolled into town.




And now for a little video of our "toddler"...