First Birthday Party

Cupcakes for our little "cupcakes"

Cousin Cal joins Aaron and Helena for their first birthday

Opening Presents

Aaron admires his new Thomas the Train car

Celebration

Aaron and Helena enjoy opening their presents

Aaron flashes one of his winning smiles

Helena preferred to squish her cake with her hands before eating it

Aaron really liked the icing, but was not too sure of the cake

Aaron and Helena are pulled in their new wagon

One Year Old

Helena has really developed into her own little person. She is an observer who is patient and slow to warm up to strangers. She has such a sweet little voice and will melt your heart with her smile. She entertains herself very well and likes to take her time to play and explore. Although she is not yet walking, she is crusing along furniture and can balance herself on her two feet without support.

Aaron is quite the ham these days! He will smile and wave at just about anyone. He enjoys playing peek a boo, clapping and making noises of any kind. These days, Aaron is just a ball of motion! He does not like to sit still for even a minute. He is very interested in the world around him. Aaron has taken a few short steps over the past few weeks. He is able to balance himself very well and we are convinced he will be walking in no time.

Helena rides her new Princess Car. She is working very hard to be able to get herself on and off of her car. At this time, she can only move the car backward, but she will soon master forward motion!

Aaron enjoys playing with his Little People toys. Although sitting still is not something Aaron usually does, he does like to tinker with things. He likes to open and close small trap doors and put his toys in small spaces and then take them out again.

Aaron and Helena's First Birthday!

One year ago today!

The Birthday Kids!

Aaron held his balloon for almost 30 minutes straight!

Walking with some help

Aaron and Helena will have a first birthday party next weekend. Today we had a small party with Grandma and Grandpa to celebrate their big day!

Growing Fast

Helena has found a better use for this drawer.

Is he an Anderson or what?!

Helena intensely plays with her new toy.

Aaron would rather push it over!

Our Sweet Helena

First Trip to the Park

The temperature reached almost 60 degrees here in Connecticut today. I decided to take Aaron and Helena to the park so they could try out the swings. At first they weren't sure what to do, but after I gave them a gentle push they were all smiles!

"Hi Mom!"

"Just hangin' out!"

What a Difference a Year Makes

This Easter is unique because it is the second Easter that Aaron and Helena will celebrate during their first year of life. Last Easter, they were just four days old.

Easter 2008

Easter 2007

Easter Celebration

This year we all went out for our Easter Dinner. We had so much time to spend visiting and enjoying one another's company. It was such a great day!

Grandma poses with her grandchildren

Helena keeps Daddy company during dinner

Auntie Meg plays with Helena

Grandma and Aaron

Mommy and Helena

Dressed in our Easter best

Aaron poses with his Easter Basket

Helena is not sure about her Easter Bonnet

"Peek- a- Boo!"

Easter Morning

The Easter Bunny brought Aaron and Helena their very own Easter baskets filled with eggs and a special book. Both Aaron and Helena enjoyed "finding" their eggs and putting them in their mouth, of course!

"Is there anything else in here?"

"Of course I like Easter!"

"The eggs taste pretty good too!"

"Mr. Sheep, this is an Easter Egg."