Still the Birthday Boy But a Month Older

It wouldn't be a birthday without a crazy cool & huge cake by Aunt Jenn! Oooh, it was so yummy. Chocolate & White layers with the best homemade fudgey chocolate frosting between layers. Mmmm, mmm, mmm. Aunt Jenn also fashioned the special ball on top to come off to serve as Zander's own little smash cake! Our family sure does know how to celebrate!

The whole gang traveled to Carlisle to celebrate with Alexander; Babushka, Dedushka and Mama Zoiya from Brooklyn'd, Ernie & Pam, Aunt Jenn, Uncle Mike, Ethan, Sarah, Norah & Baby Charlotte, Grandma & Grandpa, and of course, the birthday boy!

Of course, Alexander got some special birthday kisses from his best baby Norah & a super-special purple smooch from Babushka Anna!

Unfortunately, right after the candles were blown out and Zaney stole a finger swipe of icing, someone laughed or made a loud noise & Alexander thought he was in trouble. He was so scared, he didn't want to touch the cake again!

That was, until Cousin Sarah the cake lover, offered to test Z's smash cake to make sure the Russian Rasputin hadn't hidden anything in the icing. After she gave the all clear, Sarah quickly taught the babe the pleasures of birthday cake. She couldn't stop giggling! So cute!

Our compliments to the baker!

Babushka & Dedushka were so happy to celebrate Shurik's 1st birthday. So happy, Babushka had to poor a full glass of vodka just for baby. :) Just kidding, it is water!

And I've never seen Mama Zoiya happier! Mama gave Alexander a Russian Cheburashka Doll & a Cheburashka Cartoon DVD. The babe loves it & pushes it around the house in his little lawn mower; so cute!

Another great birthday surprise was how much Alexander warmed up to Grandma & Grandpa on this visit to Carlisle. Every time he saw Granny Smith he would run & reach for her. Again, so cute!

The cake was so yummy, Zander couldn't even take a break to smile for a photo with the baker!

After a delicious menagerie of Russian & Smith cuisine & a couple slices of birthday cake, it was time to open a few presents. Pam picked out two of the cutest running suits for Alexander & Mama Norah. Seriously, way, way too cute!

Then grandma led the kids in some birthday games. Dropping the close pin in Grandpa's water cup turned out to be a big success. Actually, Zaney could have kept that game going all night! I'm surprised college kids don't make that into a drinking game!

Then it was off to bed... even after a long day, we still couldn't get Babushka to stop smiling at her youngest grandson!

Nothing's better than a Sunday morning milk mustache!

And then out back to play with Mama Zoiya & Babushka!

Babushka taught Shurik to play fetch & Mama Zoiya taught him how useful a walking stick can be!

Isn't that a good looking crew of grandkids?

Alexander, Papa & I had such a wonderful time visiting everyone & playing with our grandparents & cousins! It was so hard to saddle up & head back to Wild & Wonderful West Virginia...

We're counting the days until we can play with everyone again!