Kali is one!

WOW I am really bad at keeping up with my blogs. Well, let's see if I can catch everyone up on what's going on these days. Kali had her first birthday a couple of weeks ago. She started walking at 10 months (almost 11). The exact date was April 11. Matthew had just visited us and we were hoping she should walk while he was here but he missed it by ONE day! UGH. Well, now she is just a walking machine. She is practically running everywhere. She has a lot of words too. She says "mama," "dada," "baba," "Hi" "dodies" (which is doggies) and she is so smart! She understands just about everything you ask of her. She closes the gate down at the bottom of the stairs, she hands you things when you ask her (most of the time) and she is so loving. She loves to give kisses and hugs. So sweet!

We had a big party for her first birthday. All of our favorite people came to celebrate with us. We had a great time on our new lawn (courtesy of my hard labor!) and it was an all around great day! On her actual birthday we took Kali to Build-a-Bear and got her a teddy bear that she actually is pretty attached to! She grabs "Daisy" every morning when we leave for work and she will hold her for most of the ride to work.

Everyday is such an adventure with her. She really cheers us up with her smile and loving personality. She is a great baby, well, toddler now. She does the funniest fast walk too. I call it the mummy run cus she stretches her arms out in front of her and walks really fast but not quite runs yet. It's histerical.

We also went to the beach recently and she had a BLAST!! She loved playing in the sand and the water even though it was cold. One of our friends brought a blow up pool and Kali and Alessandra LOVED playing in there. We are gonna have to get her a pool too I think. OH! Speaking of pool, she is doing amazing in her swim class. Not to brag but she is one of the best students in her class. She blows bubbles (okay, she puts her open mouth in the water, but STILL!) and she holds her breath when we take her under and she can hold on to the wall. She is seriously the HAPPIEST baby ever! She LOVES the water.

I think this is it on Kali for now. As for the rest of us, lol, we are doing great. We are so happy and thankful everyday for the wonderful life we are living. Jeff is loving his solar work and doing great. He is now head of his own department which is sales and training directed to "DIY"-do it yourself- and contractors/electricians. I am in my last few days of work and it is so bittersweet. On the one hand I am so excited to pursue my career as a hair stylist but on the other hand I am going to miss these kids SO MUCH! They have become such a part of my life. Jackson and Samo are just the sweetest boys and Emily is so spunky she keeps me (well, all of us!) on our toes! And I am so bummed I won't see Molly everyday and get to know her as she grows into her own little self. Kali just loves these guys too. She looks at them with such adoration in her eyes it is going to be heartbreaking to not see them everyday. Melissa and I are planning weekly play dates so we will at least see each other then.

Ok, it's almost midnight now so I should get to bed. Thanks for following our little family blog. Much love to you all!

The Van Dam clan!