Often now when I lay Evelyn down to bed she asks, "when I wake up in the morning we will have a party?" ha ha ha! We have been partying lately. She quite enjoys it! We had the holidays and then as soon as they were over the birthdays came! Mine, then Matt's (four days later) and then Leah's (three weeks later) so we have enjoyed cake and ice cream and family and friends and balloons and anything that has to do with celebrating! I worked hard to make this birthday banner to get out whenever we have a birthday. When Evelyn see's it up in the window she gets pretty excited! I guess my birthday started it all off. I turned . . older. Evelyn helped me blow out my candles!
Matt had the whole day off so we spent it together. We went sledding - last time was such a big hit. This one . . .the girls maybe were a little more tired and Leah a bit more concerned. So we didn't go down the hill too much. Although mom and dad did race up the hill as quick as we could one time leaving Evelyn at the bottom to watch Leah. We just wanted to go down once together. It was epic - Matt wanted it to be extra special so he got us a running start and an extra big push as he jumped on. The only problem was his push had so much force we all but toppled over and crashed. Leah was SO worried. We came down the hill to crying girls. Ha ha ha! So we resorted to eating snow and building a fort
Evelyn found that eating snow is quite delightful and it cheered her right up . . .
And her giggles and smile quickly spread to Leah. All was well again.
And to make the day extra special for mom (remember this is MY birthday) Evelyn and Dad took it upon themselves to gift me with many snowballs from their fort. It was a good day! Matt tried to be my personal slave - he changed diapers and made dinner and was perfect!
Leah's face tells how much we all enjoyed the day!
I love my family. Spending the day with them was the best gift! (but I also got new running shoes for my marathon and I quite like them too!) thank you dear family and especially Matt for the terrific day!
Matt and I are on a soccer team and we had a game on his birthday - our first game was a little rough and well we didn't win so we were determined this time if anything for our dear captian (Matthew) to win! And win we did! It was a fun and awesome game! We love our team! We had birthday victory cake that night with my parents. It was another good day!
And the next day I made a special Indian dish Tikka Masala for Matt. I was nervous - I had never tried this but thanks to pinterest it all came together . . .and was INCREDIBLE!!! The girls loved it too! Maybe this will become THE birthday dish for always!
We love you dad! Matt! Sweetie! We are most grateful you were born and for the role you play in our lives. You are a terrific husband! A wonderful father! And friend ! A great student, employee and thus supporter. You keep smiles on our face and giggles in the home along with the spirit and love. We love you!
Then came Leah Lou's birthday! I cannot believe it's been a year. I want to share more about this little gem and the wonderful year we have had with her. I'll do that soon. For now we'll just share the party. This one was pretty special. And although you won't remember it Leah I hope you can look at these pictures and see how much we enjoy having you in our family - the celebration was definitely merited! We love you so much!
Our amazing friend Jessica helped me make your cake.
Isn't she so talented!? I love how it turned out!
Evelyn assured you that the cupcakes were indeed edible so you dug in (you had a cold at the time and so maybe didn't quite plunge in like we thought you would?) but you were dainty and it was cute!
I think . . .and hope that you enjoyed it!
I know there's no smile here but it's only because I had the camera out at the wrong time. You did for sure enjoy your presents. Evelyn showed you how to open them. LOL. She was quite excited to teach you!
You got a soccer ball and blocks and books (ball and book are your two favorite words and items right now) you got some cute clothes (that I can't believe fit you already) and a butterfly pillow pet. You bonded right away with it!
You bosom buddy Aunt Lydia teaching you about books and elephants and wonderful things!
You and sissy enjoying the spoils. Yes! Birthdays are wonderful!
The cleverness of Aunt Lydia
Leah we love you! This last year has been completely wonderful watching you learn and grow - your sweet FUN spunky personality coming out! Watching you and your sister become best friends! You are so smart! You are very concerned for others. You have the most distinct laugh I have ever hear and I love it! (and i have your dad to compare that too so that's saying something) You are so calm amd easy going. You have been just what this family needed. Happy Birthday! We look forward to celebrating so many more!
And that ends the birthdays for a while. Evelyn is curious when hers will be . . .and I tell her soon enough. They are growing so fast! Our dear sweet girls!
Dear little Leah . . .I can't believe you are one! They say time flies when you're having fun and you have brought so much joy into our lives . . . .I don't even know where the time went. You're growing so fast! And are already so independent. Last week you were sick and I treasured the time I got to hold you and cuddle with you! You are already walking and almost have running down. You have always been so strong! And so willing to try anything.
You have your Grandma Hirschi's name. Leah Kristen. And you love her so! If she is in the room that is who you want to be with!
You have your daddy's personality! Your laugh is so distinct and wonderful! I am sure you get that from him along with your crazy smiles and your double cowlick and your cooky little ways.
You are so calm and easy going. That has been a great blessing to us. You are very rarely sad but when you are it is really sad!
On the other end of things your smile lights up everything! We love it!
See what I mean?
You love to eat! Right now spaghetti is your favorite. You not only love to eat the food but to smear it all over! Your face - your hair. We have found food in some interesting places . . .
You know how to relax! If you find something soft you lay your head on it and say "oh . . ."
You love your sister! You two are pretty good friends. You don't like it when she tells you no. You shriek at her if she does - but you love to dance, giggle, play in the tub, watch movies, run, and do LOTS of silly little things with her. You watch her a lot. You want to do everything that she can do but you definitely have your own way of doing it. She loves you too. You always have to be aware of where the other one is. You don't like it when she is still sleeping in the mornings or taking a long nap and you will try to sneak to her door and then bang on it to wake her up. On the other hand, whenever you are napping she is asking when you will wake up and rushes in as soon as she hears you. You are quite the duo and bring your parents so much joy!
You have a cheesy smile when you know you have the attention. You can get everyone to cheesy smile back at you!
Did I mention your personality yet? It is . . .FUN! sweet. calm but crazy! Spunky! You are a beautiful daughter of God! Sometimes you have a mohawk from the double cowlick dad gave you. It is cute!
You have grown up so fast in the last year! You are good at communicating. You love balls and books and so have those words figured out except lately everything is a ball. You like to point to let us know what you want. You are very smart! You LOVE technology! Buttons and puzzles! We are so grateful to have you in our life! You are our little gem! Thank you for coming to our family! We are thrilled that we get to continue watching you grow. We love you Leah!
