I am ONE!

I don't think I know a cuter 1 year old!! OK- I know there are many darling 1 year olds, I know several, this one just has a special place in my heart for obvious genetic reasons. Here's an update on this girl:

1. She is a walking machine. Everywhere. Every waking minute.

2. She does signs for more, eat, drink (consists of sticking her thumb in her mouth and wiggling her fingers- so funny!), and baby is a favorite one to do.

3. She has a few words, her favorites being "Hi" and "Hi Ally" (our dog). Occasionally we get a 'dada' (said 'tata') or a 'mama.'

4. She really enjoys peek-a-boo and doing a shoulder shrug when asked "where's daddy or where's ally?" then going to find them.

5. Her table manners have gone downhill recently. Throwing food is a favorite pastime. Along with refusing to eat any foods beside applesauce, peas, pears, cheese, breads, and sweets. We are just going to keep trying to expand her palate.

6. She gives the sweetest little kisses ever! We love this girl!

Hawaii 2009

For Christmas, we went with Danny's family to Hawaii this year. We spent a couple of days on Maui and then the rest of the time on Kauai. It was awesome. When your only choice of the day is "pool or beach" you know you are in a good place. Shayne loved the pool and the beach and hanging out with her cousin Clark. Oh, did I mention she loved to eat sand. I just let her.

Dinner on Christmas day:
Playing with Granny, Grandpa, and cousin Clarkus:

I went on a Napali Coastline boat excursion with Carrie and James. It was supposed to be a snorkeling tour, but the gale-like winds, pelting rain, and fog made snorkeling impossible. We did get to see several dolphins and whales. That and the company made it worth it.
Ahhh, Hawaii I miss you.

Birthday Girl!!

So I considered just giving Shayne a cupcake and calling that good for her birthday. She would of course be fine with that, but would I was the real question. And I decided I wouldn't, so we had a big party with family and friends! You only turn 1 once ever, right!!

So I can't say the birthday girl enjoyed the party as much as everyone else did. In this photo, I am opening her gifts while Danny holds her and gives her a cup of milk so she will stop crying. When she was trying to hit everyone who said "Hi" to her, I knew the party was over.

Here is our fishing game. It was pretty lame, but AnLi really enjoyed it!
I did a Hawaiian themed party to try to channel the vibe of the islands. We had leis, teriyaki chicken skewers, pineapple, and delicious cupcakes.
Oh and a little limbo for the kiddies!
Happy First Birthday Shayne! I can't believe it's been a whole year since we brought you home!

Ouch!

Shayne's face meets cement stair. It's actually healed now, but man it looked bad that first day!

Happy New Decade!!!

The day after New Year's I was driving home from a day of work at the hospital and was contemplating all the things I wanted to accomplish this coming year. I just had had a productive day at work and was feeling pretty good as I drove home. I thought about taking a photography class, a creative writing class, getting my continuing education done, planning a fantastic, whimsical first birthday party for Shayne, finally hanging some pictures in our house, getting to those pilates classes at the gym more, getting all of our pictures put together in books, reading more classics and fewer gruesome murder mysteries, doing more with friends, starting my 2 new callings, organizing all of my closets, etc., etc., etc.

As I pulled into the garage and walked into the house, I was greeted with the deeply disturbing sight of clutter on all surfaces in the kitchen and living room left over from our unfinished unpacking from our trip and from two days of working instead of being home to do my routine clutter inspections. So I started in on the dishes in the sink to alleviate the mental anguish and no more than a couple of seconds later, a little bitty, crying, clinging girl had firmly attached herself to my leg making it impossible to move more than a few steps. 

So, I threw in the towel, picked her up, gave that girl some love and attention, and decided I had better make the above mentioned goals my 'goals of the decade' if I actually want to feasibly accomplish them. So here's to 2010-2020!!!!

Christmas pictures/post to follow soon. . . . . . . .