Olivia's first birthday was not just a birthday. We decided to have a big party. More of a homecoming then anything else. Olivia's first was a blast.

We rented a waterslide for the older kids and they just went to town. The cool thing is that they slid themselves silly. They slid for hours. Then they passed out that night. It was awesome. Olivia did not go down but I did. I will spare you the action photos but let me say this....I am not as young as I used to be and there was pain involved.

Olivia loved watching the kids go down, but what she really wanted was cake. We gave her a cake to just tear apart. Neither Abby nor Emma ever seemed interested in the cake at their first birthday party. They just wanted to sleep. This little girl loved it. She had cake all over her. It was awesome. At first she just slowly touched it as if to say, "are you sure this is ok, I can actually eat this?" When she figured it out she took fistfuls at a time. It was awesome.

Abby and Emma are great. They help so much and have been totally awesome big sisters. They have already asked if we are going to do it again. My heart stopped. Amy and I could do it. It was so worth it. I still think I am 20ish but I know I am not. The slide proved that.

We have really enjoyed this whole process. I fell back into having a one-year-old pretty quick, but, there are still some things I forget.

We would like to thank everyone for all of their help and support. We have so many friends who have helped in little ways or who have provided words of encouragement and prayer. It is nice to know that a community can come together and support someone. Olivia will look back and be able to read all of your e-mails and cards and she will see the love you have provided.