Christmas with Our Girls

Oma and Opa came to visit us for Christmas.  It's always nice having family around for the holidays -- and not having to go anywhere and wake up to our own Christmas tree makes it even better.  There was a lot of last minute shopping.  On retrospect, we went over board with the girls gifts but it so hard not to when there are so many cute things that will make them smile.  This year, Santa brought Natalie a new baby cradle and Claire a Laugh & Learn home.  Since Christmas, that Home has gotten a lot of use as the fascade for Sleeping Beauty's house, according to Natalie.  One of Claire's favorite toys were the pillow pets we got the girls -- she loves rolling around on them; they are super soft.  I think overall the girls had a great time Christmas morning and spending all day playing.  It's a lot of fun when a 2.5 yr. is opening gifts for herself...and everyone else, as well as Claire walking everywhere and getting into everything.

Happy First Birthday Claire!

My sweet pea is 1 year old today!  I cannot believe how fast this year has gone.  She is such a blessing in our family.  Her smiles are brighten our days.  She's even started taking some steps (3 yesterday on my nephew's 6th birthday and 4 steps today on her birthday). 
We are in Minnesota for her birthday at Oma and Opa's house.  I sang Happy Birthday to her when she woke up this morning.  Emile made her birthday pancakes and we all sung to her again.  We opened a few gifts (most of them we'll open at home or during her party tomorrow).  Then the girls played in the ball pit we got for Claire's birthday party.  I think she enjoyed her birthday!

Thanksgiving and Fall Fun

The end of November was a busy time for us.  The girls went to a friend's 3rd birthday party (Dylan).  Natalie became friends with a little girl a few years older than her and had a great time pretending to make and sell food from Dylan's playhouse.  Claire had enjoyed playing in the sand box.

We have a lot of trees in our yard which are very tall and lose a lot of leaves in the Fall.  Kinsey made a large leave pile for them to play in.  Natalie enjoyed running across the yard and jumping into it, and then laying in the leaves to watch the clouds and airplanes.  Claire was a little more hesitant but enjoyed it nonetheless.  I really enjoyed spending time with the two of them in the leaves after work. 

Claire celebrated her first Thanksgiving -- her last first holiday before her birthday.  We went to Emile's boss' house in Elfand.  Natalie loved it!  She latched onto the older girls there (3 of them) and I pretty much didn't see her much of the night which is not like her (she's usually stays pretty close to me when we're in a large group).  Natalie spent the most time with the oldest (11 years old), Lilah.  She was so sweet with her.  It was great seeing Natalie come out of her shell with other kids.  Claire spent a lot of time hanging out with me which was wonderful!  Dinner was wonderful and the company was even better.

The weather had been pretty nice so we got a chance to spend some time playing outside.

Claire's first Halloween and time with Oma and Opa

Claire got to go trick or treating for the first time with her big sister.  They were so adorable as a pink bunny and fairy princess.  Natalie did great going up to the houses and saying "trick and treat".  She surprised us by not being that scared even when her and Papa went out when it was dark.  Claire and I went with them trick or treating for about an hour before Claire needed to go to bed.  Oma and Opa got to see them in their Halloween costumes before they left to fly home that day.

The girls had a lot fun spending time with Oma and Opa over Halloween weekend.  In addition to going to Hill Ridge Farm (in last post), they played outside a lot and spent time playing in Natalie's room with all their toys.

Natalie's favorite thing to do right now is color in coloring books or just on paper.  She's now trying to color specific things although staying in the lines isn't yet a priority :)