To Infinity and Beyond...Our Story of Becoming a Family.

Tori had another "first" today. She attended her very first birthday party. The daughter of one of Daddy's co-workers celebrated her first birthday this afternoon. First birthdays are a very big deal in Hawaii and her parents went all out. They served the traditional Hawaiian food, so Tori also had her first taste of kalua pig, poi, squid luau, chicken long rice, and haupia. She is so willing to try just about anything we give her, and there was nothing she didn't like. But by far her favorite was the haupia, which is like a very firm coconut jello/pudding type dessert. We have to say it was really delicious with bits of fresh coconut in it. We decided that since it was a party, a few sugar-laden treats were OK. So she also had her first taste of cotton candy and a slushy/slurpee type drink. Of course she liked them both.

A very big first was her first ride on a pony. We weren't sure how Tori would react, but like everything else she went with the flow. She didn't even hesitate when we put her on the pony. Daddy walked around with her and she even leaned forward to pat it and play with its mane.

We are always impressed by her willingness to try things. She is always very observant and serious but gets right in there. Tori acted the same way when it was time to sing Happy Birthday and to watch a magic show. She sat right in the middle of the other kids. She's fine as long as she can see us. However, she sat by Mommy when Daddy was the magician's assistant ,and she wasn't really sure why Daddy was dressed up like a baby. But she watched intently. It really was a fun night for her, and Tori received her fair share of goodies to take home which included a little fish bowl with four fish and her own personal goodie bag. She went to bed a very happy little girl and fell asleep very, very quickly.

We are preparing for another first for Tori, Grandma's arrival from Australia on Tuesday. We are sure the next three weeks will be a very special time for all of us.