our niece turned one on april 10th and had the biggest birthday party of her life to celebrate. 🙂

it seemed to be the overwhelming consensus that no one can believe she’s a year old – but, personally, to me, it seems she was born AGES ago!

maybe just because so much has happened since then.  the day she was born we spent hours and hours on the web cam with everyone at the hospital here in tampa while were in los angeles. we sat in an apartment we no longer have, in a neighborhood we no longer live, on furniture we had to leave behind.  at that time in our life we were working jobs we no longer have and spending time with friends we no longer get to see. it just seems like so much longer than 12 months ago!

but, to celebrate that it has, in fact, been exactly 12 months since the day the world met baby madison, we gathered at lowry park zoo with family and friends for food and cake and animals and chit-chat.  the party was in one of the park classrooms which is in the zoo school – technically next door to the actual zoo.  but we all got wristbands that got us into the actual park after the party.

my mother-in-law (madison’s lulu) got the birthday girl this cute hat and a matching bib for her animal themed party from bloomingbabies on etsy.

madison’s grandparents getting the tables ready before all the guests arrived…

the cake was from let them eat cake, and was adorable!

the highlight activity of the party was a series of animals that were brought in so we could all get a good up close look and even pet some (if one was so inclined).  i loved it.  i told michael i would totally have a brithday party there. 😉

first up, was a tiny little owl:

next, this guy:

i think maddie is more brave than her lulu (who is scared of lizards!)

ribbit, ribbit

i love their faces here. hah.

then, something a little more fluffy…

and lastly, an armadillo

really cool

and finally, the fate of that very pretty cake…

step one: investigate

step two: destroy!

after the party we headed out to the park. back tomorrow with pictures of some much larger animals!