Have Your First Cake and Eat It Too...

Yesterday, Bryce had his first birthday party. We decided to have our closest 35 friends (including about 13 children) from Thailand over for a small party (which was not so small). We decided to break from the norm here and serve tacos and toastadas. We had chicken, beef, and carne asada, beans and rice, and of course all the fixings (lettuce, tomato, cheese, and salsa). We also put together some fruit and veggies trays, along with chesse and crackers. Then we decided we did not have enough to do, so we bake a couple of cakes.

The party started and shortly after Bryce ate and then decided he did not want to be part of the crowd so he took a nap. When he woke up it was time for cake.

We had made a small cake for him

and at first he wanted to touch the flame on his candle (which we blew out quickly).

Then we let him at it (the cake that is). He was very enthusiastic til he grabbed two handfuls of frosting, then he was not so sure. He waited til we cut him a slice... then he had a bite and decided it was not too bad.

After cake everyone left and it was time to relax. There were some extra balloons so we bunched them up for Bryce to play with.

A successful birthday party where a good time was had by all.

One Down.....

Happy Birthday Bryce!!!

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you and all of the accomplishments in your first year. You have grown by leaps and bounds physically and mentally. Bryce's first day in the sand box.Bryce gets a ball pit.

A few of our favorite things about Bryce:
Raspberry Kisses
Tug-O-War With Morgan
Cuddling
Belly Laughs
Sign Language Skills
Mellow Demeanor
Snorting Laugh With Wrinkled Nose
The first day, the first week, month, and year.
Thank you for making our year so memorable. We love you.

Bryce Takes Three

Bryce took 3 to 4 steps today. Ramiro and I told him this weekend he needed to start walking by his first birthday. No pressure!! So he decided to go for it today. He tried a few times. Sometimes you just have to put yourself out there and go for it. Pictures to follow.

A Tuk-Tuk That Shines

This is the best decorated tuk-tuk in Bangkok that I have seen to date. It has rhinestones galore.

Street Flooding

It rained so hard for about 40 minutes that the streets were flooded.

Bhubing Palace Gardens

Getting Around in Thailand

Bryce wanted to talk about the vacation we recently took so he typed this up (with a little help from Mommy and Daddy) ....I (OK Mommy and Daddy came too) recently took a vacation up to Chiang Mai, which is in the mountains in Northern Thailand. It is a short plane flight about 1 hour away. The first thing you notice when you get there is that the weather is cooler (about 78-90 instead of 85 - 95). The next thing you notice is that it is a much smaller and less busy city than Bangkok (but then again not much is not). While we were there we went to an elephant camp where we got to see an elephant show, got to ride an elephant,

ride down a river on a bamboo raft,

and take a ride in an ox cart.

We also went to a monkey show and and orchid farm. Then because it was there, daddy went bungee jumping (no thank you!). Finally after the ride back to the city, we went to the night market where Mommy and Daddy found the teak elephants they were looking for. And that was only the first day!!
On Sunday we got up and once again loaded up in a van and drove away from the city and into the mountains. We went to the Bhubing palace (winter residence of the Thai royal family) and walk through the many gardens. I feel asleep on the way and missed the first part, but Mommy and Daddy went back so I could see once I woke up (OK they just wanted picture of me in cute places). There were a lot of very pretty flowers.
After we walk through the gardens, we went to Doi Suthep which is Wat or temple. There were about 300 steep steps and the driver was saying was very difficult to climb; I don't know what all the fuss is about it was not that hard to climb the steps - of course I had a little help from Daddy.The steps were quite neat as the railings were shaped like dragons. At the top we saw various Buddhist practices and several monks and there was a fabulous view of the city. When we finished walking around the temple, we went to a jade factory and got to learn about the different types and colors of jade (from green to white to purple to black (which is actually really dark green). On the way home we stopped at waterfall which was very pretty (or so I'm told as I was sleeping). The strange thing was that people could actually swim the pools and around the waterfall. When we finally got back to the hotel, we had to go back to the night market to pick up the charcoal drawing Mommy and Daddy had done (quite a handsome fellow if you ask me).
Finally after all that we came home. It was a really neat and exciting vacation.