Happy birthday!

Will's birthday is here and much like his last birthday, we wanted to celebrate big! We started with Mass at St. Matts. It was great to listen to Emma read at mass and be able to celebrate together as a family (minus Grace as she had mass at her school). From there we were showered with texts, cards, hugs and remembrances for our sweet boy. It was incredible to think that people remembered his birthday and were willing to reach out and celebrate with us. 

It was comforting to be able to pay a visit to the Angel of Hope at Xavier since it's right outside my building and pray for all those parents missing their babies. I know Will is in some extraordinary company in Heaven. 

And of course, everyone needs a birthday present to celebrate. This beauty will hopefully grow quick and strong just like our boy. It flowers white blossoms in the spring and should turn a beautiful red/purple in the fall so we are looking forward to enjoying its shade and comfort for years to come. 

No birthday is complete without cake! Though I usually make a cake for the girls birthdays we celebrated Will's first week birthday with a cake that some friends dropped by for us, so we thought it was only right that we celebrate his first year birthday with the same cake. Grace has perfected her family selfie skills!

We ended the day lighting off Chinese wishing lanterns. I hope the girls didn't send up too grandiose of wishes as after its magical release into the sky, it flew over our house, decided it was afraid of heights and landed on the roof of our neighbors a few houses down. No worries, Mark rescued it off the roof and put out the fire. It's not a real birthday until you have a good story to tell, right!? :) Nothing like introducing yourself to your new neighbors by asking to climb on their roof! Happy birthday, little cub!