Natalie's First Birthday Party

We celebrated Natalie's First Birthday the weekend before her real birthday. We had a small party at our house and it was just the right amount of party for Natalie. We had just received the first big snowfall of the winter and the weather was so cold. Nevertheless, we were so happy to celebrate Natalie's big milestone with family!

We had so much snow we couldn't tie the balloon to the mailbox. Aaron's shovel made the perfect substitute

Mommy and Helena

Natalie plays with Auntie Jill

Natalie and all her big cousins, opening gifts

The Birthday Girl!

The cousins along with Aaron and Helena wait anxiously to help Natalie blow out her candle

"What am I supposed to do with this?"

Aaron, Casey and Maya

Natalie claps for herself

"What do I do now?"

Eleven Months Old!

Natalie is eleven months old now and is a master cruiser! She moves along the furniture quite well and is able to get to any place that she finds interesting, which is usually with Aaron and Helena. They are fantastic big brother and sister, always caring and helping their little sister. Natalie can now stand for a short time without holding anything and her first steps are close!

Natalie sits in one of her favorite toys!

I know two other children who also loved this toy......

Aaron - 11 months

Helena - 10 months

Boy....time really flies!

Christmas Day

After an exciting morning, we headed off for gifts and dinner at Stacie's parent's house. It was even more special this year, as Stacie's brother Marc and his children were visiting from Colorado. All of the cousins had a great time together!

The holidays are exhausting!

Cousins: Sydney, Julian, Lexi, Natalie, Aaron, Helena and Cole

Cole and Julian

Lexi smiles for the camera

"Do you think anyone will notice if I open just one right now?"

Helena waits patiently for the gifts to be handed out

Natalie opens a gift with Grandma

Daddy and Helena sit together and open presents

The cousins run off some energy before dinner

Christmas Morning

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Santa visited the Anderson home this year! After a late night of celebration with family, Aaron and Helena woke up late, by their standards, to rush down and see what Santa left for them.

Santa was here!

Natalie was up early and we had a nice breakfast together before Aaron and Helena woke up

Helena slowly descends to see if Santa was here

Aaron tries to wait patiently for Helena to get out of bed

Helena checks out her new dollhouse

Aaron was so excited to see his new train table

Natalie loved her new crocodile walking toy!

Aaron and Helena pose with their stockings

Aaron burned his hand a week before Christmas but he didn't have too much trouble opening his gifts.

Christmas Eve with Family

This year, we celebrated the holiday with a traditional Swedish Smorgasbord, followed by gifts and desert. This is the first year Aaron and Helena remember last year's celebrations and they were both so excited for all of the fun to begin. All of the kids were patient through dinner and we ended up opening gifts in shifts this year. First round, the three young children followed by the second round, the two older children and last, the adults!

Aaron and Helena pose in front of the tree

Helena squeezes into a spot among all of the gifts

Mommy and Helena opening gifts

Aaron and Helena hold up their Pillow Pets, one of their favorite gifts

Aaron opens up an RC that he got from Farmor and Farfar, this was a favorite gift of Aarons

Cousins: Callaway and Helena

Casey and Maya

Scott and Stacie