Daddy-Daughter Dance & PRESCHOOL!

Snoqualmie Ridge hosts an annual Daddy-Daughter dance at the elementary school for girls between the ages of 3 and 11.  This year, Andy formally asked Avery to be his date for the dance.  They got all dressed up (matching of course) and headed out.  Avery was very excited about the up-do Mommy did including the very special "crown" from Di-Di's wedding. :) 

I took this picture with teary eyes as they walked out the door hand-in-hand.  Here are some pictures from the dance:



Avery's tatoo which is still haning on 2 weeks later!

Here's their official photo.

Then on Monday she started PreSchool at the Church on the Ridge.  She was so excited - mostly about her new backpack.  She did great the first day, apparently a few tears after we left.  Malin cried as we left big sis - she wanted to stay and play with the kids too!

My baby is growing up way too fast.  I'm so proud of the sweet, smart, imaginative, sassy little girl she has become!



Our 1 Year Old ALMOST Toddler

Our 12 month old baby (not a toddler yet) is growing faster than we can keep up with!  She had her 1 year check-up a few days after her birthday, weighing in at 21lbs (50%) and 24 inches (75%).  Poor little thing is terrified of strangers, which includes the doctor and had to get 4 shots!  Ouch!

Our little MaeMae has grown quite a personality of her own too.  She is sweet and usually mild-mannered - unless she's hungry, tired or her Sister takes something away from her or invades her bubble.  She loves food, which makes meal times so much easier! (At least for this Hunt kid).  I love sharing food with her right off my plate, she's a carnivore just like Daddy & Mommy.  She thinks she's very funny and we giggle at her constant "ha-ha's" that come out of her mouth.  She loves her big sister, I often find them hugging, kissing and playing together which brings tears to my eyes.  Not that they don't fight like sister already too, I often have to break them up.  Watch out Avery, Malin is going to pound you quicker than you think!  Malin is our sturdy little wrestler. :)  Unlike her big sis, Malin wasn't blessed with the mass head of hair, now rocking a whispy mullet.  (And why I always put a headband on her).  Before bed I refer to her as Linus - she has blankie in hand and thumb in mouth, so cute.  She has great hand-eye coordination like her sister.  We often marvel at the precise work they both do.  We thought she would be walking for sure by now since she's mastered standing for months, but she has no desire to walk on her own yet, opting for the crawl instead.  Fine by me, a baby you will stay! :)  She did; however, stand up and take 4 steps on her birthday all on her own!  She still has a big stranger danger fear, though her little bubble is growing outside of her 3 caretakers and sister, letting in Opie, Grandma & Papa. 

Our little Malin Rae is a true blessing in our family.  She has filled our home and our hearts with pure laughter and love.  We are madly in-love with this amazing little person.

Here are some pictures from our first 2 1 year photo sessions.  The first one in Bellevue Park on a very sunny evening, the 2nd at home.

A stranger was trying to make Malin smile. :)

My photographic assistant

Malin's Winter ONE-derland

Our little baby has turned 1!  How did that happen so fast?!!!  What a year it's been and what a blessing our little Malin has been!

We had Malin's big birthday party on the day of her birthday.  Auntie KK and Henley came up from San Diego to celebrate with us, so KK got to help crazy Mommy with last-minute party prep.  The kiddos had a PJ party while we put stuff together.

The decor of Malin's "Winter ONE-derland" themed party:

We had a hot chocolate bar:

Our menu contained all things snow-themed: Snowmen on a stick (caprese kabobs), dirty snowballs (meatballs), snowballs (donut holes), Snowmen PB&Js, Snoman Parts (veggies & dip), Frozen Punch, cake and Melted Snowmen (water).

The birthday girl and her sister all dressed up and ready to party!

Let the party begin!

We had a snowflake wand making station for the kids.

We attempted a picture with the 3 babies, Henley, Malin & Madeline, but only Maddie was in picture mode.

 Malin wasn't too into her cake - much like Avery's smash cake performance.  No tears though.

The parting gifts: Frozen books for the kids and snowflake wine charms for the adults.

Thank you to everyone who came over to help us celebrate our little Angel turning ONE!