It was Memorial Day weekend last year and we just pulled into our friend Katy’s family’s house on the Hood Canal. It was just after 11 p.m., and the phone rang. “My water just broke,” Julie said. The next morning, Audrey Christine was born. Yesterday, she turned a year old!

I’ve known Julie since before I had any permanent teeth, and she met Dan in high school – we’ve known each other a long time. It’s been so fun to see them become parents and do such a great job with Audrey.

A couple of weeks ago, we headed out to the McMenamins’ Rock Creek Tavern and took some new photos for their family, so they can remember what it was like when their baby girl turned one. Pretty soon she’s going to be asking to borrow the car.

The below right photo is my favorite from the entire shoot. I love that mama-baby moment. The one on the left was Audrey’s birthday present from us (along with a copy of Shel Silverstein’s “Where the Sidewalk Ends” – it’s never too early for a little Silverstein).

I feel like Julie and I should still be sitting in the back seat of my parents’ car lipsyncing and making up hand motions to the oldies on the radio on our way to swimming lessons. You are such a great mom, Jules, and you’re a great dad too, Dan! You can check out Dan and Julie’s blog here if you want to see more of Audrey’s cuteness.