Our little girl turned ONE on Friday, January 25th! On her birthday, Belén got a Tickle Me Elmo that herdaddy brought home. Now she is a bit intrigued by it but at first all she would do is point at it or cry...it still scares her a bit, but she's getting used to Elmo being a part of our household.
Belén had her birthday party yesterday afternoon, however we decided to start the day by going to the Rexburg Temple Open House. Yesterday was the last day of the Open House. Some of Zak's family, including his parents, joined us on the tour.
The Rexburg Temple will be dedicated on Sunday, February 3rd and will be open to worthy members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by appointment beginning Tuesday, February 5th. On the front of every temple are the words, "Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord," I can't think of a more fitting place to have been built for the Lord. The Rexburg Temple, as well as the 124 other operating temples throughout the world, are beautiful...to completely understate what it is like enter the House of the Lord, it is beautiful.
Not long after we got home from the Open House, a few of our friends started to arrive for Belén's party! We chatted, watched a slideshow full of pictures of Belén as she's grown through the year as watched the little kiddos play.
(Top)A few of our guests, Belén is sitting with Zak's cousin, Beth.
(Right) Belén with Phoenix(red shirt, 7 months) and Aleczander (white hat, 13 months).
Then we sang, "Happy Birthday," and introduced Belén to her first, great big, chocolate, cake!
Yumm! Yummmmmm!
She ate a a lot of frosting and very little cake...and she kept sliding her fingers deep into the middle of the cake so on the top it looked like a big donut!
She never did lean down and just take a big bite out of her cake like I've seen other little ones do on their first birthdays, not Belén, she decided all she wanted to do was to pick the whole thing up and bring to her mouth instead!
After eating most of the frosting, mom decided to cut the cake into chunks small enough for Belén to pick up, which she did, one huge chunk in each gooey fist, she took a few bites and when she was done she did with her cake the exact same thing she does with other meals when she's done eating...yup, she picked up her cake, piece by piece, and threw them on the floor!
Afer daddy gave Belén a quick bath (leaving frosting in her ear and up her nose), it was time for PRESENTS!!! Belén got some cute new clothes and hair accessories,
a coloring book with special crayons made especially for little hands,
clothes and a bear pillow from her Grammy and Granpa in
Washington, a fun new book, and a picture of Christ for her room!
It was such a fun filled day for the whole family.
Mommy and Daddy decided it was time for Belén to take a little nap after the party and played "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader," with Zak's family...I was a class member but of those who were contestants, Zak was the only one who was actually smarter than a fifth grader!!! Lucky for me, I'm married to him...I knew the college tuition was worth it!
Mom's note: It's been quite a year. It's hard for me to believe that Belén is already one year old! I was remembering today when I could easily cradle her in one arm and she would fall asleep in my arms. I am amazed by her. The things she's learned this past year, her courage to keep getting back up every time she falls down. I never knew my heart could melt so easily as when Belén wraps her little arms around my neck and lays her head on my shoulder. I love being a mom, I love being her mom.
