Our Sweetheart is Turning One

For months I have been thinking about Clara's first birthday party and I could hardly wait. All along I was sure I would do an Alice in Wonderland tea party but then at the last minute I changed gears. I realized that she is our Valentine's baby and we should probably embrace that for her first birthday. Mark always teases me that our children's first birthdays are the biggest event in my life. I love planning a party and there's nothing like a first birthday so yes I guess I do go all out!

Of course I started out small but then it just grew. Having it around Valentine's Day made it so easy to find pink and gold heart decor. I planned a liege waffle bar since it would be in the late morning. We also did a photo booth that was a lot of fun and I can't wait to take the pictures and make them into a special book for Clara. The entire party turned out so girly and sweet for my little sweetheart. I know she didn't appreciate any of it the day of her party but I hope she'll look back and see how much fun it was and how special she is! 

Clara's One Year Pictures

I had planned on doing's Clara's one year pictures myself but I started to realize that wasn't a good idea. Miss Clara has become the busiest little girl and it's impossible to get a good picture of her. At the last minute I booked a session for her and I am so grateful I did. I couldn't be more in love with her pictures. She was such a dream during her shoot and didn't mad the entire time. Clara thought it was so much fun running around the studio and having lots of attention. 

The only time she sat still was when she was looking at her board books. Even when it was time to eat cake she would take a few bites and run off. I definitely got my workout in. I loved how delicate she was eating her cake. She didn't dig in but pinched off little pieces of frosting and sucked her fingers clean.

I am so in love with this little girl and I can't believe my baby is one. This last year was a whirlwind and I am heartbroken it is over. I love this baby girl. I am so grateful we were able to capture these sweet pictures of our princess. 

Christmas Morning

The kids were up and ready to go! They could hardly stand it when I had them each pose by their pile of presents to get a quick picture. I make them open their presents one by one so that our morning lasts a little longer. Luke can hardly handle this but he has no choice. Clara was most interested in the garbage that way laying all over the place and was happy just trying to eat as much as she could. Brody of course opened each toy and wanted to put it together and right then and play with it. Luke's goal is to get through the packages as fast as he can. 

I think they were very pleased with what Santa had brought them. Luke, however, was a little disappointed and kept reminding us that Santa had forgotten his signed Peyton Manning football and Xbox. It's not easy making Luke happy. After our Santa presents were done we gave the kids our gifts. Clara got her own anywhere chair with her name on it and the boys got their first double shot. They better like the double shot because I was up until 4am putting it together. Mark wanted to just give them the box but I knew they would be so excited when they came downstairs and saw it all put together. 

Christmas Day is my absolute favorite day of the year. I love being at home in our pajamas and not worrying about where we need to go or what we need to do. I love being with my family and I hope they had an amazing Christmas! 

Christmas Eve

And just like that Christmas is over. It always makes me so sad when the Christmas season must come to an end. This year I tired really hard to prepare in advance so that we could enjoy the month celebrating as a family. I hope the kids had a fun month and understood better the true meaning of Christmas. We have a little Christmas tree that we add an ornament to each night. Each ornament represents something about Christ's life. This year when I pulled it out Luke said he didn't need to do that this year because he remembers doing it last year. I asked him what one of the ornaments represented and he couldn't tell me so I said that's why we review each year. 

During the day this year we went with the Petersen's ice skating at the Gallivan Center. We weren't the only people that had this idea but it was still a lot of fun. Probably not the warmest day to go but it was still so much fun. I couldn't let go of Brody or else he would fall and yet the entire time he kept yelling, "Look, I'm doing it!" I think I might not be able to walk tomorrow but it was so worth it. 

When we got home we quickly decorated our sugar cookie before heading out the door. We had our Christmas Eve dinner at Grammy and Papa's house like we do every year. The food is always amazing and I look forward to it each year. The kids have so much fun with their cousins and I love watching them play and have fun. 

Of course when we got home there was a note from Santa informing us that it was time for Jolly to go home. The boys look forward to giving Jolly a big hug and sending him on his way. Luke of course examines Jolly closely and questions if he's real or not. I am not ready to give up the magic and not sure if I ever will be but this little guy is too smart for his own good. The boys set out their cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer and were off to bed. I can hardly wait for the looks on their faces in the morning!  

Cousin Santa Pictures

The cousin Santa pictures definitely become more and more of workout the older these little kids get and the group keeps growing. It's so much fun but not ideal for pictures. They turned out so great this year though and I am so grateful my mom takes the time to find all their darling pajamas and get their pictures done. The fact that we got all six of them looking at the camera at once is a miracle and we all deserve a big treat for accomplishing that. 

Breakfast with Santa

Last year I called an hour late and and wasn't able to get our reservations for Breakfast with Santa at the Grand America. This year I set my alarm because I wasn't going to miss it. Luckily I was able to get our reservations and we were so excited to go.

That morning we surprised the kids and of course Brods was pumped but Luke was being a toughie. He didn't understand why he had to wear nice clothes and wanted to wear his signature Under Armour outfit. I should have just let him go and see how out of place he was but instead we had a battle and I won. When we got there he of course thanked me for having him wear nice clothes...it's always nice to know you were right.

The kids loved the breakfast. There was so much good food to eat and they were in heaven. Clara started pounding the macaroons and wouldn't let go of them. When Brody reached for a macaroon he stopped and looked at me and said, "Wait mommy do macaroons have protein in them?" I laughed and said that didn't matter this morning and you should have seen the smile on his face. I guess maybe we make our kids eat a little too healthy. Luke was downing the hot chocolate and meat as fast as he could. He would fill up his plate, eat two things and go back for more. 

After breakfast we wandered around and looked at the window displays and life size gingerbread house until it was our time to talk to Santa. Clara wasn't so sure about Santa at first and decided to go straight for Mrs. Claus. After Santa offered her a candy cane she only had eyes for him. The boys asked Santa for their wishes. Luke really wants a signed Peyton Manning football or card...he's not picky...and an Xbox. Brody wants a race car track for his cars. I hate to say it but we're going to have one satisfied and one unhappy little boy come Christmas morning.