Hannah's First Birthday Party

Can you believe my little baby is one?!?  I don't really know how I feel about all this growing up business.  Part of me wants to cry and hold her just the way she is forever, but another part of me loves how much she's learning and changing every day.  It just keeps getting better!

We celebrated Hannah's birthday on Thursday.  Trish, Sid, and Brooke were in town so we celebrated with them, Ben and Alicia, Jeff and Maria, and Steve and Melissa and their cute girls.

It was a wonderful day and we had a great time celebrating our favorite girl.

 

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Dear Hannah,

Happy Birthday sweet girl!  I can hardly believe that just a year ago you were my tiny, perfect, hiccuping baby.

There are oh so many things I love about you.  I love that you've been a happy girl since the day you were born.  I love that you wave at everyone and make friends wherever you go.  I love how curious you are.  I love that you have your daddy wrapped so tightly around your little finger.  I love your sparkly blue eyes.  I love your hugs and kisses.  And I especially love that you are mine.

I am so glad you were sent to us and that Dad and I are the lucky two that get to be your parents.  I love you baby girl, and I always will.

Love, Mama

Plan C

Like I said before, I wanted Aaron's first Father's Day to be special.  I wanted to do something, not just give him something, and I wanted it to be something he wouldn't expect.  So I thought what could be better than a Father's Day date, something for just the two of us to do?  There are so many things to do here in the Bay Area and when Maria offered to baby-sit, I couldn't pass it up.  

My first idea was to give Aaron wind surfing lessons.  We see a lot of wind surfers out from the Benicia waterfront and he always talks about how he would love to learn.  Unfortunately, the cost of a one hour lesson was a lot more than my Father's Day budget, so next I decided on kayaking the bay.  The man at the kayaking rental place said to call just a few days in advance to reserve, so I was set.  I told Aaron to reserve the Saturday before Father's Day for a special surprise and was ready to be hailed as the best wife ever.  When I called the Thursday before to pre-pay, however, I came to find out that all of their kayaks were booked for months.  I was so bummed.  Not only was I Father's Day gift-less, but I had talked up my big surprise to Aaron for weeks.  Luckily, Maria had the great idea of biking the Golden Gate.  It ended up being the perfect date and you would never have known it was Plan C.

 My trusty steed.

We stopped to buy "sweaters" (no one knew what we were talking about when we called them sweatshirts) because we're crazy Utahns and expect Summer to be warm or something.

We considered getting a tandem but I'm glad we did regular bikes.  We were able to ride next to each other and talk the whole time.

 My favorite picture of the day.

We got some chowder at the wharf on our way back.  So good!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the best diaper changer, lullaby singer, 

hide-and-seek player, bath giver, binky finder, tummy tickler,

zerbit blower, car ride entertainer, and owie kisser I know.  

I'm so glad you're Hannah's daddy.  

We're both so lucky to have you.  

We love you!

Homesick

We've officially been here in California for over a month. This was my first move away from home, the first time in my 24 years I've lived out of Utah.  Having left my friends, family, and beloved state behind, I've actually been surprised with how homesick I haven't been.  The adjustment has been pretty easy and I love it here.  I'm not sure what I expected but I guess I thought I'd pine a little more.

But every once in a while, usually on a rough day, I get a little pang of homesickness.  I wish I could hug my parents or hold my nieces or have a good, long conversation in person with my sister.  I miss family dinners.  I miss the mountains.  I wish Hannah could see her grandparents and aunts and uncles. I miss going next door and just talking to my friend Haley.

Luckily, there are a few things that help me get over it:

1. Knowing that my in-laws are coming in seven days!  I can't wait for them to come and to see our life here.  I'm especially excited that they'll be here for Hannah's first birthday.

2. Knowing that I will be flying to Portland in just over a month to vacation with my family!  I'm sad Heidi and Dave won't be there, but I'm counting down the days till I can see everyone else and hold that sweet nephew that should be coming any time now!

3. Having such wonderful friends here.  I seriously wouldn't be surviving without them and I'm so grateful that they have willingly opened their hearts and homes to us.  They are the best!

4. Technology.  It is miraculous that I can literally talk to or see friends and family any time.  Thank goodness for phone calls, texts, and face time.

That Time I Learned To Make Jam

Melissa, Maria, and I have started making a list of fun things to do this summer and one thing on the list was to make strawberry freezer jam.  Despite watching my parents do this every year, I've never learned how, so Melissa was nice enough to teach Maria and I how to do it. It was super fun and now I have six beautiful jars of delicious jam.  I'm proud to say I have eaten it at every meal since making the stuff.

Jelly Belly Factory

Last week, Hannah and I went to the Jelly Belly Factory with Maria and Melissa.  I'm not really a jelly bean person but it was really fun!  We went on a tour, got free candy, and learned some interesting facts about jelly beans.

The place was covered in jelly bean mosaics.  Did you know President Reagan snacked on jelly beans to kick a tobacco habit?

Isn't this a great picture?  This is Hannah, trying with all her might to jump out of arms so she can touch everything.  It's a pretty common occurrence nowadays.  

 With cute Maria and a nice bending over photobomber.  Does anyone else think this looks like Hannah's head is on that body?