1 YEAR OLD!!!

Well, it finally happened. Our precious baby girl turned one. Can you hear me crying? I guess it's not so bad; she's getting to be more and more fun. I'm just coming to the realization that we won't always have a baby in the house. And there's nothing like having a baby in the house. But this is one amazing little girl, and we praise our Heavenly Father every day for the chance to watch her grow up along with her three wonderful brothers. We are truly blessed.

Present Time!

This is actually the day after the birthday party. We had partied into the night and never got to the packages. But, of course, I put her back in her party dress. Here she is, thrilled to open a beautiful dress from her Grandma and Grandpa. We all loved watching her try to figure this out!

Little New Mexican girl

I helped Sulli open a small but special package from Nonnie and Popsie: her very own Indian jewelry. She has two lovely little bracelets, one with turquoise, and a little turquoise ring that was mine when I was very little. She will look smashing in her new bling!

The Onlookers

These 3 were more excited for present time than Sullivan.

Cute pic

Sulli and her Nonnie

The best present of all...

All tuckered out!

Sulli and I had to rest a little after opening all her presents.

PARTY TIME!!!

Okay, so I might have gone a tad overboard on the dessert thing. But this was a DESSERT party. And I had more fun than you can possibly imagine making all this stuff. It didn't all disappear at the party, but it didn't take long the next couple of days. Scary, I know. We're all talking about how we should probably sugar detox. But I don't think that would be good for my body; I feel GREAT! Notice the Red Velvet Sullivan cupcakes. Our dear friends Chad and Rachel (who were out of town during the party) printed these pictures up for us. Thanks, guys. (And thanks, Martha Stewart, for the idea. :)) I need all the help I can get when it comes to decorating the stuff I bake. This was just FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

Her BLESSED Mommy and Daddy

Waiting for the party to start!

I love these pictures of our Punkin with each of her grandparents.

A nice picture...

... of Julia and her niece Rachel.

She eats!

Well, my biggest fear about this party is that the birthday girl herself would not even touch the desserts. She still chooses to solely nurse, aside from a bite or two of whatever I can get down her (and this does not happen very often!). But pictures don't lie! As you can see, she had a few bites of the French pastry cream filling and whipped cream from my Strawberry Cream pie. I think she was so tickled we were all singing "Happy Birthday" to her, she got disoriented and forgot she doesn't like food. You should have seen the smile on her face while we were singing. It was like she realized this was all about HER!

Various party shots

This photo was taken at the end of the night when the Alix family had to say good bye. They have just moved back to us from Washington!!! We are so happy to have them only 30 minutes from our house! Sean and Mary Kay were our first friends in San Diego after Will and I got married and they have a special place in our hearts. Now they have three beautiful children: Sydney, Bailey and Luke John. From now on, our get-togethers will be a little more chaotic - and probably even more fun. :) We love you guys!

It's been too long!

catching up...

Steve, Will and Allen

The kids enjoyed Wii sports tournaments and treats in the garage. It really didn't matter that we don't have a yard yet because of the rain that day. And Will cleaned up the garage so nicely, you could eat off the floor. Well, maybe not eat off it.

Lovin' on our Girl

When your friends love your children it makes them even more special. I didn't snap nearly enough shots of Sullivan getting hugs and kisses from friends, but here are a few. From the top down, we've got Sean and Mary Kay, just Sean, Kimberlee, Julia, and Julia's sweet daughter Ashley.

So much love...

Will and I are so blessed to have such wonderful families. It is so true that you don't just marry a person; you marry their family too! I mean, you're stuck with them! Well, I really lucked out. And, of course, Will did too! :) These photos were taken during Sulli's birthday weekend where there was lots of family, food and fun to go around. And a lot of love too. Thank you, everyone, for coming and making this such a special and memorable time! We are especially thankful that Sullivan finally got to meet her great grandmother, G.G. (Will's grandma). What a treat to have her here with us!

3 Amigos

"He Owns the Cattle on a Thousand Hills" is one of the boys' favorite school songs. I just had to video it.

Last day of baseball

Well, baseball Saturdays are over for now, but Zane will definitely be doing that again! He loved it and is a great player!

Four Reasons I love being a mother

Here we are having lunch out for Mother's Day. The best part was everyone's joyful heart and sweet spirit (lunch and shopping weren't bad either). :)