Birthday Girl Sami~

Mike's parents come for a wonderful few days in November, and then my parents came to visit for Christmas. We had a lot of fun with them! While they were here we celebrated Sami's first birthday. We served strawberry cake with funfetti frosting. She took a bite, but then didn't seem much interested after that. She might not be my daughter :-)

Here are few pics of the birthday girl, followed by a cute picture of her brothers (just for fun.) It was pirate day :) They love her sooo much! Mike and I do too :) Can't get enough of her!

In keeping with tradition, here's Sami's first birthday letter:

Dear Sami,

You are perfect in every way (you even slept 10-1/2 hours last night. Hallelujah! May this be the beginning of many nights of beautiful slumber!)

You are such a delightful girl! I love you so much. I can't express the joy I felt when I was pregnant and we found out that you were a girl! I was literally jumping up and down with excitement. :) My sister was visiting, and I remember giving her a big hug. You are absolutely everything I would want in a daughter and more. Heavenly Father really, really blessed our family when He sent you to us. You have such a sweet, fun personality. You love to "talk" and are saying a few words: mama, dada, and nana (banana, a fruit you love!) I have also heard you say "okay" and "yeah," in the correct context. You pull herself up, can stand independently, cruise, and may have taken your first step two days ago, but you haven't taken a step since then. No rush :)

You love your brothers and get so excited when you see them, especially first thing in the morning when everyone wakes up. They love you; oh how they love you! They both delight in you, especially Aaron. You two seem to have a very special bond. You are starting to develop a fondness for your Daddy -- often now going to him all on your own (yay!) You are very funny and make all of us laugh. You love to "growl" -- apparently that is your communication method right now. :)

You have started eating all kinds of solids. Some of your favorite foods (besides bananas) are sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, chicken, beans, Triscuits, graham crackers, corn, and chocolate :o) (that's my girl!) Now to get you to guzzle down cow's milk (but that's another story for another day.) :)

You pretty much run the show at home. :) You are feisty (and I mean that in the nicest way possible) and will fight for what you want -- whether it's a toy or a book. You have an interest in books and love to hug little stuffed animals. You love to cuddle and hug. You understand the meaning of "hug" and when I ask you for one, you will cuddle up and give me one.

You are so beautiful! You have a darling smile that can melt anyone's heart. You have six teeth. You have beautiful, bouncy curls to match your bubbly, fun personality. I am jealous of your long, gorgeous eyelashes  (where did they come from??) You seem to understand most of what I say to you (for example, if I ask you to help me start cleaning up, you immediately start helping (mostly just mimicking my behavior.)) You are into pointing, so I've started identifying whatever object you are pointing to. You are extremely active and like to do whatever your big brothers are doing. It's so cute, you will laugh whenever everyone else is laughing. I love that you are so quick to laugh. I hope you never take life or yourself too seriously!

I love you Sami! It is so fun having you in our home. Happy birthday to my sweet girl!

Mom