The Big Day...

checking out his new bike

at the zoo with dad and sara

clapping for joy!

awaiting his guests...

And the Party!

waiting for...

his cake!

Yum!

one.

One year ago today, Elizabeth ate some spicy soup, walked a few miles, and after a symbolic thunder-clap, began labor. We have been on a wonderous roller coaster since then, accompanied for one year by this incredible boy.

Happy Birthday, son.

curls

Elizabeth continues to celebrate Alden's growing hair, which has taken to curl. Down at the bottom, Alden braces himself for the experience of a lifetime: hand-puppets on YouTube.

little red wagon

To tide mom over while dad spent the long weekend in arkansas, she opened an early birthday present for Alden. this one from Gramma/Grampa Koschmann -- he spends most of his time walking it, but its easier to photograph him inside it, as he is stuck in one place. Thanks grandparents!

Pictured below, Alden would like to offer you some diaper wipes. Enjoy . .

ball

The kid likes soccer balls. The game thats hot right now is to pick the soccer ball up and (laboriously) drop it over his head behind him -- he will play this game for hours. Here was an early evening with his folks at our neighborhood park.

Return of the Camera!

We left our camera in San Francisco after Thom and Elena's wedding a month ago... and it just arrived back in the mail yesterday. We're so happy to have it back! More photos coming soon...

alden at 11 mos

Our video camera had gotten a little back-logged, and so I ended up making one long (un-edited) 12 minute video. This must cover the last few months, since it includes documentation of him pre-crawling, to the current state of (very-assisted) walking, also with a brief Grandma Lois appearance. Anyway, get some popcorn and get comfy, and prepare yourselves for 12 minutes of Alden hurtling through developmental milestones.

Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAgrUHuE_Zc

Lucy Sheridan Koschmann

Although this is, technically, Alden's blog, an important event in Alden's life occurred over the weekend - the birth of his cousin, Lucy. The stats and photos are plagiarized from Uncle Nate and Aunt Kelli's birth announcement, but we wanted to celebrate as well, and this is what we have to share. She's a big girl -- 9 pounds, 8 ounces and was 20.5" long -- and very healthy.

Congrats to Nate, Kelli, Max and Lucy!

Labor Day Weekend

We spent a happy Saturday together having a family bar-b-que in the afternoon sunshine. Alden brought out several of his friends for the party and Carl turned the porch into an extension of the living-room, complete with an area rug, some stuffed animals, and a basket of toys. At one point, Carl went underneath the porch and played a funny game with Alden, pictured below, which had him squealing in curiosity and delight. Happy Labor Day, everyone.