1 Year Old Birthday Luau

That's right, we Malufaus keep up with tradition. Since Scout turned the big O-N-E, we decided to stick with the Hawaiian tradition, and we threw her a birthday luau. We had family and close friends come, and it ended up being tons of fun.

Everyone pitched in, making it a great, stress-free night.

We also stuck with tradition, and had it at Mission Bay, the same place we had our wedding reception (if we keep this up, it looks like we'll have our funeral parties there as well).

Thanks for all those who helped, and who traveled to make it.

For the post, I tried to be creative. . . and I'm pretty sure I failed. I just did one of those word poems, spelling out 'Scout's Birthday.' Some of the letters were a little tricky, and I had to stretch it. . . so don't judge me for what I wrote.

S: Shared some cupcake

C: Caught some sticks (Lori taught us a New Zealand stick game. . . Thanks Lori)

O: Of course, did some hula dancing!
U: Used Austin to sneak some cake
T: Took lots of pictures. ( The Dean girls: My sister Brittany, Me, and my sister-in-law Michiko)
S: Shed some tears

B: Boys and Babies Bonded (Hah! 3 Bs) Ammon and his brother Aaron

I: Insisted on trying to get a good 'cousin' picture. . . again tears were shed.

Sorry Cosette.

R: Rallied everyone together to help (Really, what else could I have put for 'R'?)

T: Took pictures with Nana Lori and cousin Ellie

H: Had flip flop cake

D: Didn't forget that Scout was the star
A: Ammon sang Scout a song he wrote for her

Y: Yea for the balloon man! (I know I'm stretching it, but 'Y' is hard).

Thanks everyone who came and helped.

It was so fun to see all the people that love our little Scout.

Happy Birthday Scoutie! (But don't expect this for the big #2).

Happy 1st Birthday Scouter!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SCOUTER
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
This week we celebrated Scout's birthday! I wanted to do a quick recap of the past 12 months for everyone. I decided to take you back through some of Scout's "firsts." Enjoy!

FIRST: Minutes of life

FIRST: Nap in the hospital

FIRST: Time with a bow in her hair

FIRST: Bath

FIRST: Outfit FIRST: Time wearing a headband. . . and the moment I fell in love with them.

FIRST: Time wearing a lei and grass skirt.

FIRST: Birthday Celebration . . .1 Month!

FIRST: Time chilling under a palm tree (And the picture for her 'birth announcements'- - - did any of you get this picture? Nope, because they got printed, but never sent)

FIRST: Time sitting on Santa's lap

FIRST: (Or maybe 100th) Time sleeping with Dad (Who is really counting?)

FISRT: Time sleeping in her crib

FIRST: Time drinking from a cup (check out her little tounge)
FIRST: Valentine's Day

FIRST: Fudgesicle. . . what a beautiful day that was!

FIRST: Easter

FIRST: Time being 'in touch' with her Hawaiian roots

FIRST: Time we caught her laughing on video

I can't believe our little Scout is already one. We have had so much fun with her these past 12 months, and are so excited for all the fun times we will continue to have with her. I have never been so happy before, than I am when I am with her. It's official. . . I LOVE being Scout's mom! She is such a sweet baby, full of personality, laughter, fiestiness, and smiles. She makes everyone who is around her so happy, and we know that we are so blessed to have her in our lives. Happy Birthday Scouter!

A few of Scout's favorite things. . . .

Scout and I just got home from being in Utah for a week (while Ammon has been gone on his 'Cross-Country' flight). It was so fun to be around all of our family and friends that we love and miss so much.

It was a great trip- we did all of Scout's favorite things:

Climbed stairs.

Went to swim parks. Scout tried, and succeeded, in squeezing her thighs through the poles.

Ate corn- - - double fisted. That's the only way to do it!

Played with mom.

Took lots of showers. There is nothing better than being clean after being smothered with sticky sunscreen all day.

Spent time with Rhiannon and Reed.

Jumped on the trampoline with Ty.

Showed off her 'floral accessories.'

Checked out Reed

Had her personal car service/chauffeur take her around.

Played hard to get with the Reedster.

Played with aunts and cousins.

Stole Ellie's toys

Ate chocolate off the ground. What? That's how she rolls.

Laughed with Aunt Jackie.

Got a little 'fresh' with Reed

Played lots of Peek-A-Boo

Thanks Cortney, Kevin, Rhiannon, Reed, Almodovas, Aubri, Amaya, and KaDawn for a great week. We miss you all, and are already in the mood to go back.

Bike Ride Anyone?

The other day we woke up early and decided to try out our new baby bike seat (I love Craigslist). We loaded up the bikes in the little red truck and took off to Penasquitos Canyon to ride to the waterfalls.
At the beginning it was nice and cool- all of us were excited and ready for our 'morning excercise.'

The 'perkiness' didn't last too long with little Scout. . . Check out her downward progression:

1. Scout at the beginning. . . perky and happy.

2. Getting a little tired. More water mom!

3. Letting us know that she does not care too much about the waterfall. She made it pretty obvious that she would rather be asleep in her bed.

Enduring the picture taking like a champ.

4. And the way home! She was asleep before I even started peddaling. She slept the entire 4 miles back to the car. (How tired could she really be? She didn't have to pedal, she just sat and enjoyed the view) Oh, to be a baby.

It was a great morning- finished off with of course. . . slurpees. I love the summer!

I Wish They All Could Be California Girls. . .

We have been having a great time here in San Diego. Most of our pictures are of the exact same thing, because we pretty much do the same thing over and over each day.

Our days consist mostly of: Going to the beach, Eating Sand, Cleaning sand out of Scout's mouth, Playing with cousins, Going to the pool, Cleaning sand out of Scout's diaper, Swimming, Going to the park, Cleaning Sand out of Scout's crevices, Cooking sweets, and Swimming some more at the pool.

THE POOL: My mom has worked as a monitor at a community pool since the summer after I was born. She is still monitoring this year- - - last week we were at the pool EVERYDAY. Scout gets so excited- she kicks her legs and swings her arms everywhere once she sees the pool.

Love this picture!

Even better!

I didn't realize how much we dress these two as twins. (My mom bought each of these suits, at two separate times, in two separate states, for two separate children, not knowing they were matching. . . What are the chances?) This of course calls for a photo shoot!

THE PARK:

Did I mention we like to go to the park. Scout and Austin are big fans of the swings. (Check out Scout's face- she is loving life right now)

Last week we celebrated our niece, Cosette's, 1st birthday. Ammon was picking the 'LA Deans' up from the airport, and Britt and I were trying to finish Cosette's cake real quick before they got home. As we were sloshing all around in frosting, I guess Scout was left unattended to entertain herself. I looked down and saw this beauty. . . she was digging all around in my mom's 20 pound container of powered sugar. Did she sleep that night?. . . I bet you can guess that answer.

Cosette's birthday cake.

Britt was so nice and offered to watch Scout for us so Ammon and I could go on a date. We went out to dinner at Pat & Oscars and went and saw 'Up' (in 3-D even. . . fancy). We brought Scout home our 3-D glasses, and she LOVES them.

TWINSIE PHOTO SHOOT!

Three years ago when we were living in Chicago, Britt and my mom came to visit. We bought these little outfits for us, Britt, and Brandon, figuring we'd all have kids someday. Halelula. . .the day is here. Scout and Austin both came tromping out in their outfits, and we couldn't resist getting a few pictures.

Patty-Cake anyone?

SOME MORE BEACH:

What does Scout like more than eating sand? Eating sandy oreos!

The sandy aftermath.


HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

All the kids were dressed in their cute 'patriotic get-ups,' so we tried to get a picture. Believe it or not- this was the best we could get. Check out Cosette. Classic!

I went in our room to get Scoutie (as Avery likes to call her), after a nap, and this is the cute face that greeted me. Had to get a picture of it!

Austin, not knowing why Scout keeps stealing his binkie. Scout . . . steals it every time.

More Beach Pictures Anyone?

Can you tell that Scout and Austin are friends. The other day at La Jolla Shores, we looked over to find this.

Austin, getting a little 'fresh' with our daughter.

All this swimming is wiping us all out. I walked in the other day to our room, and found these two like this. A perfect end to a perfect day!