Santa and the Mall of America

While visiting Oma and Opa in MN over Claire's birthday weekend, we also took the girls to the Mall of America to go on some amusement park rides (Claire's first) and to see Santa.  Natalie wouldn't get anywhere near Santa and started crying before we were even 10 feet from him.  So I was only able to get a photo of Claire sitting with Santa this year.  She looks a bit confused why I'm having her sit on some strange guys lap but she was a trooper!  We'll have to see how next year goes -- if Natalie is over her Santa Claus fear and/or if Claire has developed one.  It might be a few years before I have a photo of the two of them sitting with Santa.

The girls loved the amusement park rides with Oma and me.  Papa was in charge of taking photos.  We went on the Blue's Clues ride and a carousal.  Natalie and Oma went on a car ride that Natalie insisted Oma needed to go on with her instead of Papa.  Claire and I went on a balloon ride -- she loves balloons right now.  We had a blast.  I'm already looking forward to taking them again next year.

Claire's Birthday Party

We celebrated our sweet Claire's 1st birthday in Minnesota at her Oma's ballet studio.  Other than a mishap before her party, I think she had a good time.  All of our immediate family and some of Riet's dancers were able to attend.  Emile's cousin's husband, Byron and son, Dane also flew in from Pennsylvania to celebrate with us.  My brother's girlfriend's sister's family (did you follow all that :) joined us also.  All the kids spent time playing in the bouncing ball pit, playing with play-doh and coloring.  Claire's favorite part was playing with a balloon Nana and Grandpa got her.  Natalie, Hayden, Una, Mason, Iggy, Lily and Dane helped Claire open all her presents.  We had cupcakes made for her by the place that made our wedding cake, Queen of Cakes.  They also made a tiny cake for Claire to smash.