Samantha Turns One!

I cannot believe how fast the last year went by! I feel like I just barely became a mom and we brought Samantha home from the hospital. Having her in our lives has been absolutely incredible. She's such a sweet, funny, happy little girl. We seriously got so lucky. The past month Ryan and I feel like she's grown up so much. She's saying "mommy" and "dada" and likes to talk on her imaginary phone. She's running around the house and laughs her head off when she can play tug-a-war with the dogs. She loves looking at books, but doesn't really want us to read them to her yet. The day before her birthday I decided to turn her crib into a balloon ball pit. She loved it!

 

 

For her birthday we kept it simple and just had family over to celebrate. It was her first real time eating sugar (she's had small tastes here and there, but not actually eating junk) and to my delight she didn't really seem to want or like it. I'm sure that will change, but for now I'm fine with her staying away from the junk food. Her grandparents spoiled her and got her some cute toys. It was exciting because she did a lot better at opening her gifts then she did for Christmas! It was a great day having Samantha surrounded by people who love her. Thanks to all our family who came and celebrated with us!

The dress Morgan made for Sammie!

New Years

Our New Years Eve celebrations were super low-key and perfect for us. We started the evening by going out to dinner with some friends (sadly no pictures were taken to document this) and then we went home and put Samantha to bed as usual. Once she was sweetly dreaming, we headed to the next-door-neighbors for some hard-core Settlers playing! We rang in the new years building roads, cities, and settlements. What could be more exciting!?

The next day we headed up to Bear Lake to stay in my uncle's cabin for a few days. It was the first time Samantha had gone sledding! So much fun experiencing all these firsts with her. She had also decided a few days before that walking was her thing. She has been taking a few steps here and there for the past month and a half, but randomly on the 29th she started walking across the room and has been walking ever since.

We had a super fun time playing with aunts, uncles, and cousins, watching Harry Potter movies, eating, and sledding. It was a fun start to 2015!

Warm day and all smiles from Sammie

"What is this stuff?"

Playing two truths and a lie

Giggling with Aunt Barbi

The second day of sledding was a bit colder and we went to a steeper hill... Samantha wasn't too happy about it. So we just sat and played in the know while Morgan and Preston sled.

Thanks so much Uncle Mark and Aunt LaDean for sharing your beautiful cabin with us! Such a fun weekend.