Aliyah is ONE

     One year ago, we welcomed Aliyah Jewel into our family and wrote about her miraculous birth. So much has happened since then... and she's grown up a ton. Aliyah has brought so much joy into our lives that we were simply ecstatic to have this opportunity to celebrate her. We planned the perfect birthday party:

     Due to our need for space, we sought permission to host Aliyah's birthday party in the GWA gymnastics room - where Nicole works. We kept the guest list small...only inviting Aliyah's closest friends - most of whom where right there at the Clinique with us, one year ago:

     In addition to granting access to GWA's beloved trampoline, we provided snacks (hummus, pita chips, veggies, fiesta ranch dip, fruit salad, and 12 pounds of pomegranate seeds), dessert (carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and sugar cookies - both made by a friend), and personalized canvases for fingerprinting. The party turned out to be better than we expected, and Aliyah loved it:

     Clearly, this party took place two days after Aliyah's birthday. Rest assured, Aliyah's actual birthday was equally as special. On her birthday, Chaibia gifted Aliyah with one of her favorite things in the world: couscous. Also, we officially signed the contract for our new house, and Dave picked up the keys! (More to come on this soon...)

Oh - & the finished birthday canvas came out awesome, by the way:

-David, Nicole, & Aliyah