Happy Birthday, Aliya!

This is the first year that Aliya really understands about birthdays. She has been waiting for this day to arrive FOREVER! She wanted to be a princess for her birthday. We took her to the store to get things for her birthday party, and we came back with noise makers, balloons, princess crown, princess wands, and princess shoes. We got all the stuff to make a princess cake, and she helped me make it.

Niah only went to school in the morning so she could join in all the fun. We started out the SPECIAL DAY with family pictures. That is always MY least favorite part! It seems that once the pictures are over, then the party can begin--in other words, NOW you can get all messy! NOW you can get stains on your clothes! After pictures we went to "PIZZA, PIZZA" and ate, ate, played, played, played, ate, played, ate, played, played, and ate. Aliya shouted a big "YEEHAW!" while riding her pony. Kiahna took a chance at winning the big one. TJ and the girls tried their hand at golf--and when I say "hand", I mean "hand". Aliya had more fun helping the ball into the hole than hitting it. All-in-all it was a great day!

The Birthday Princess

When we came back home, we had a small party (just us). She got to dress up in all her beautiful princess stuff! Too bad we all didn't get to dress up--we were really disappointed at first. Each gift had its own uniquely dramatic response, but the best was when she opened the card from the Thomas' and she READ it to us! We thought we would share that moment with you.

Just in case you missed it, Aliya's card said that SHE gets to open up the presents and NOT Koni! I guess she is still holding a grudge from Koni's birthday party--Koni didn't let her open up any presents!!!

Speaking of holding memories, TJ and I remember holding Aliya on her very first birthday. She was 7 lbs 13 0z and 20.5 inches long with lots of DARK hair! She was SOOOO adorable! She was born in the afternoon at 1:53 pm. Niah was the first one to see Baby Aliya. She was so proud to get to hold her new sister! She stayed for a few hours, and then she went back to our friend's house where she was spending the night.

It turned out to be a very cold, snowy night. The electricity even went out for a while! Lots of family and friends came by to see our special new bundle. After everyone left, Niah came back again to say goodnight to her sister. She was so excited that it actually made her stomach upset, and she threw up all over the bed. This is what she remembers the most! Even though she wasn't feeling well, she did not want to leave her baby sister. I remember Niah asking if she could call her "Sissy". That name stuck until last year when Aliya started learning her "real name".

The next day Niah and Daddy went t0 buy some clothes for Aliya. We saved those special outfits in Aliya's memory box. Of course, Kiahna has no memories of Aliya being smaller--all she knows is that she loves her big sister!

We love you, Aliya! Happy Special Day to you!!!

Daddy, Mommy, Niah, and Kiahna