Molly's 1st Birthday

She's one.  Time flies.  I don't remember my other children growing up this fast.

Molly is a ball of love.  It never ceases to amaze me how each of my children can be so different from one another.  She's been a joy in our lives, that's for sure.

A little about Molly:

• She's definitely got the lightest hair of all my girls
• Her favorite foods are lollipops. chocolate, avocados, and broccoli
• She doesn't talk much...
• Mom
• Dad (Da)
• Hello (Eh-Woah)
• Leila (Ya-Yah)
• Eden (Deh)
• Thank You (Day-Day)
• More (Mo)
• No
• Uh-Oh
• Banana (Na Na)
• Fishies (Shi)
• A few animal noises, mostly dog
• And maybe a few other words said here and there
• She thinks she's just as big as the other girls
• She's a REALLY good climber and LOVES slides
• She's under the charts on height and weight
• She gets really jealous if Leila tries to sit on Mom's lap
• She loves to pretend Dad's on the phone "Eh-Woah? Da?"
• She loves tubbies, being outside, and stroller rides
• She loves to give hugs and kisses and to blow kisses
• She's got 3 teeth and 2 more popping out
• She will blow her nose...unfortunately often on her own or other's clothes
• She loves baby dolls and taking care of them
• She loves peek-a-boo, reading books, and singing songs
• She loves sesame street songs with celebrities on youtube

Utah Fun

Although our little family is staying as a "little family" for Christmas this year instead of staying with "my parents" or "his parents" or, as often occurs, a little of both parents...we WERE able to visit for a few weeks during the holiday season.

Endless activities, snow play, and cousins accompanied by a serious lack of sleep.

No wonder my kids were so sad to leave and are currently suffering from "Utah withdrawals".

I had a great time as well...although, I admit that I definitely became sleep deprived (considering the first night back I slept in until 11...).

We were able to celebrate Molly's 1st birthday (for the second time...) with "decorate your own cupcakes and cake pops".

 Festival of Trees was lots of fun.  I thought Eden made an awesome choice to go inside the bubble machine. She thought that was pretty cool.

 Eden got her first "I miss you" love letter.  She went to visit Roman while in Utah and there was all sorts of boy-trying-to-impress-girl actions followed by lots of giggle-at-boy-trying-to-impress-girl actions.  She's just glad to be loved and missed.

 We went to Midway and did an early present exchange for the kids.  Leila got her first Legos and Eden and Eva both ended up getting each other the same gift, My Little Ponies.

 Then of course we were able to visit Santa (twice in fact).  Once at the JACL (Japanese American Citizen's League) party and another at my parent's ward party.

 Molly was a little worried when I handed her over to someone else to hold her...then she turned to see who was holding her and she was scared to death...*snap picture* then rescue the poor child.

There were several other activities that we did that were so much fun.  We went to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert which was INCREDIBLE.  Eden and Leila sang a musical number for the neighborhood care center.  Alyssa and Ben hosted an AWESOME get together with family and friends where we sang Christmas carols and had special musical numbers and goodies to eat.  We were able to go see Frozen at the movie theater which they girls loved (they still dress up at home and play Frozen daily).

Oh, the activities seemed to go on and on.  It was such fun....the only sad part is that I'm not sure when we'll be back to Utah again....