HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Mike and Steve went down the street and bought some fireworks for the kids. The neighbors came over from across the street and we lit off some of the fireworks. The kids had a good time.


Will has to go home tomorrow and all of the Christmas madness will be over. Thankfully, we still have most of the toys from Chrismas still unopened, so Natalie may be entertained for a few more days. We have had a great year and look forward to 2008!

Will's Visit

Natalie was so excited when we told her that Will would be coming to town! We get to see Mike, Tina and will about once every three or four months and it is always exciting for us to see how much they have grown and how they respond to each other. Natalie and Will playing in the Jeep.

A little kiss.

A story before bedtime.

And a goodnight hug.

When Natalie woke up the next morning, the first thing she asked was "Where is Will" so we put him in her crib...she thought that was really cool.


We took them to see the Playhouse Disney Show and they both LOVED it. I wasn't sure how Natalie would do, but she just watched and clapped throughout the entire show.

The Saturday After Christmas

My mom spent Christmas this year in Michigan with my step-dad's family, so we had one Christmas left to go. We went over to my mom's and she had all of Natalie's gifts out because they were rather large. Natalie loves to play with her babies, so she got a stroller, high chair, cradle and a bed for her babies. She thought that was so neat and we went on several walks with her baby in the stroller before we left that day. Natalie with all her new baby things.

Natalie helping Teddy and Una open their gifts.

Natalie got some little head bands and thought it would be neat to put all of them on at the same time.

The Christmas Feast!

The Day After Christmas

My father-in-law came over the day after Christmas to bring Natalie her gift. He got her a play kitchen, and she LOVES that thing. We actually just made the back room into kind of a play room and that was the first thing in it. She asks everyone who walks in the door if she can get them some coffee. Natalie in her kitchen.

Natalie getting Papa some lunch

Natalie looking through all of the cabinets in the new kitchen.

My friend Shannon painted the play room for me...she really does amazing work!! I wanted a jungle theme and had some fabric that I liked and here is what she came up with. You can see some of her other work at www.wallsrtalking.com

Christmas Day

On Christmas morning, it was just me, Steve and Natalie. Santa had left Natalie a Barbie jeep along with a few other little things. She really didn't know what to think about it...she looked a little confused when she came out, but quickly got into the car to check it out. The Barbie Jeep that Santa left.

Natalie driving her new jeep...that was interesting...she really hadn't figured out the gas pedal quite yet!

Natalie got some jewelry in her stocking...she loves to get dressed up in it!

After lunch, Steve's mom, sister and her family came over to celebrate Christmas with us.

Matt teaching Natalie how to drive.

Natalie got her first Barbie and was so excited that it came with a hair brush!

Gramma got Natalie some sunglasses, which she loves to wear to show everyone how "cool" she looks.

Everyone was playing Wii and Natalie decided that she should join in...her remote didn't work, but she thought it did...too funny.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at my dad's house. My grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins came over early to have our Christmas together. After they left, Phoebe's family came over and we celebrated Christmas with them. The pictures are all out of order, as I am just trying to get all of these things posted, but here they are... Natalie and my dad (who Natalie calls Papi).

Natalie was tired from opening all the presents, so she took a little nap with dad.

Natalie with Maw Maw Childers

My brother Teddy and his fiance Una (they are getting married in August in Ireland, yay!)

My dad's side of the family singing Karaoke...quite entertaining!

Natalie with Phoebe...she loves to open presents...she "helps" everyone else when it isn't her turn!

The Cruise

My father-in-law took us all on a cruise again this year for Christmas. Despite the fact that we came VERY close to missing the ship due to flight delays, we had a great time! We left from Puerto Rico and went to Aruba, Curacao, St. Marteen & St. Thomas. It is really beautiful in the part of the Caribbean so we spent a lot of time on the beach. It was nice to relax before all of the Christmas madness began. We got home on December 23rd and pretty shortly after that began with all of our assorted Christmas celebrations.

Seeing Santa (for the second time)

We took Natalie to my mother-in-law's company's Children's Christmas Party. This would make the second time that she would get to see Santa. This was a pretty extravagant party with all sorts of games to play and things to do. Natalie all dressed up for the party.

Playing basketball with Daddy.

They had a jumper there especially for toddlers and Natalie loved that!

She went down the slide over and over again.

By the Christmas Tree with Gramma and Matt.

Caught with her hand in the candy bowl!!

Natalie with Santa...she only agreed to sit there with him if she could eat the M&Ms in her hands when she was finished. She wasn't real thrilled about it!

All of us with Santa.

Ice Skating Party

We had an ice skating party for some of Natalie and Rafe's little friends at the beginning of December. Little did we know that it would be 80 degrees outside!! It was really hot and the ice kept melting on the rink, so the kids who did ice skate ended up getting pretty wet. Natalie was not at all interested in ice skating, which was a bummer, but she still had fun!

A few of Natalie's friends from her little school.

Matt had a good time...he was drenched by the time he was done, but he had fun!

Rafe loved the ice skating!

Natalie did play with the little ice skating helper, but didn't want to actually get the skates on and get on the ice....so
She sat at the table and played with the playdoh most of the time!

Some of the people who came.

Natalie was worn out by the end of the party, not because she did anything, but I think because it was really hot in there!