Merry Christmas 2011

All dressed up for church and of course Annie is making her token face! We had wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas celebrations with Grandma and Grandpa Hanson. The girls were fabulous in church, all of the meals were absolutely delicious, and we had so much fun opening and playing with all our new presents.



Annie loved wearing her fancy dress.



"I just always wanted these pajamas," exclaimed Lauren. She was so excited that she put these PJs on right over her Christmas dress.



Lauren and Daddy trying to figure out Lauren's new camera. Of course, the child who was raised with numerous photos taken of her each day wants a camera for Christmas when she is only three.



Lauren and Annie LOVE this little house Mommy and Daddy got for Annie. We are so glad the Craigslist gift is such a hit!



Opening presents and eating Goldfish in this box was great fun for both girls.



Our evening concluded with a lovely concert by Geoff. Mom and Dad Hanson had Geoff's trombone refurbished for him as a Christmas present. We were all amazed at how well he could still play.

Decorating Christmas Cookies

One week before Christmas, us ladies enjoyed a wonderful evening of decorating Christmas cookies together (notice Wilma even made this picture). Geoff was around too and he made us a fabulous panini dinner. We missed Jon, but he was busy working in California.



Aunt Stephanie and Annie. Annie did a great job of quality control.


Mommy and Lauren. I love the drip of frosting on her chin.


Quality control...


My favorite cookie decorated by Lauren. This was her first one and I am pretty sure the entire bottle of sprinkles made its way onto this cookie.


Our finished cookies.


This pic has nothing to do with decorating cookies, but I love both of the smiles! I randomly took this photo a few weeks ago on a Monday morning when both girls were just having so much fun playing together on the kitchen floor. I love PJ photos!

The Polar Express

On Christmas Eve, we took our yearly Polar Express train ride. This year was extra special because the girls were able to wear their PJs on the train. Just like Lauren's first year on the train, Annie LOVED watching out the windows. Lauren was very interested in the conductor and even wanted me to ask him if he was planning to serve hot chocolate.



Mommy reading The Polar Express.



Annie was so proud of herself when she was able to sit on the train seat all by herself.



Sisterly love! The girls loved giving hugs and looking out the window together.

What a wonderful trip we had. This was our third year participating in this tradition and we plan to continue for many years to come.

Here Comes Santa Claus

Annie is OBSESSED with this little Santa! Looks like both of our girls can't wait for Christmas.

Decorating the House

They are called stockings, right Mommy?

Lauren had a difficult time taking these off her feet so I could hang them on the mantel. I wonder what Santa is going to fill these stockings with on Christmas Eve?


Lauren was so proud after following our tradition and placing the star on top of the tree. What's going to happen next year when Annie is old enough too?


Geoff and the girls with our beautifully decorated tree. Lauren did such a great job hanging the ornaments on the tree. We only had one casualty, but no need to worry. Thanks to Bronners.com, I was able to order another name ornament and have it shipped our way.



Lately Annie has been making this silly face. She does it when she's excited or happy. I was finally able to catch her in the moment and get a photo. Silly little McMuffin!



Last Saturday Lauren was able to experience her first concert. Our babysitter is in the gospel choir at her university, so we got dressed up and went to listen to their Christmas songs and support her. Lauren and I had a wonderful time together. We did have to leave at intermission though, as sitting for about an hour and a half was all Lauren could handle. Great job, Jessa!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Happy Birthday, Daddy! We can't wait to celebrate with you and help make your special day just perfect.

Lauren made this Playdough Daddy just for you.

Love you,
all 3 of your girls

Annie's Second First Birthday Party

Discovering her 1st Birthday balloon



Birthday banner and month photo banner



Playing with Jack and Lauren on the parachute


Annie and her friend, Cora


Lauren and her friend, Logan coloring away.


More banana cake


Opening presents


Annie is so happy to have her own bean bag!


Singing and blowing out 1 candle



Is this all for me?



I sure do love banana cake!

Annie Turns ONE

Annie's first birthday started with some homemade french toast by Mommy. She loved it so much, I think that might be a new birthday tradition for her.



After Annie's morning nap, Lauren, Annie and I headed to the library for story time. Miss Jill read three wonderful books, one about pancakes, one about ladybugs, and the last one was about a bear finding honey. As you can see from this photo, Annie LOVED her first chocolate chip cookie. She was quite upset when this cookie was gone and I wouldn't give her a new one.



Geoff was able to take the early train home, so after the girls got up from their naps Annie opened her presents. She was very excited about her new elephant, but hasn't been able to play with it yet because we forget the batteries. Hopefully we remember that lesson for Christmas!



After Annie opened her gifts we took the girls to Gymboree for some play time. Annie loved climbing up and down this slide.


Lauren was so excited to climb up, down and all around. She certainly held her own and even practiced the monkey bars too.



After about 1/2 hour of playtime at Gymboree, the girls visited Santa. What a fabulous experience that was!



Annie's birthday ended with a celebration dinner at Claim Company. Annie and Lauren shared some Mac and Cheese and then we all shared Annie's birthday ice cream.

We are so blessed to have such a happy, adventurous, and healthy little one year old! We love you, Annie Banana.

The Girls Visit Santa

Annie and Lauren visited Santa on Annie's first birthday and what a wonderful time they both had! Annie was fascinated with Santa's hat and beard, and after telling us she was only going to stand near Santa, Lauren warmed up and sat right on his lap.


Santa and Lauren talking about their favorite foods, who helps fly Santa's sleigh, where Santa lives, and of course, what Lauren would like for Christmas. She decided she would like a camera, Pinkalicious music and a Pinkalicious movie.


Santa and Lauren posing for one last photo after talking together for 10 solid minutes. Santa even took Lauren on a walk around the mall to find a silly elephant. Notice the snowflake wand near Lauren's foot. This was her gift from Santa and Annie has already figured out how to press the button in order to turn the flashing lights on and off. Seems like we should have asked Santa for a wand for Annie too. Although, after Annie's birthday party the following day, she is all set with toys for a bit. :)

Happy First Birthday, Annie!

Happy First Birthday to our little, Annie Banana!



Your big brown eyes light up each room and we just love your 3 teeth smile these days!

Last year's first snow fall was on the day Annie was born. We have had a few flurries so far this year, but no accumulating snow. I wonder if it will snow on Annie's first birthday.

Annie is lucky enough to share her birthday with my dad, Annie's Papa. Happy birthday, Dad and Papa!

Annie's First 1st Birthday Party

Annie modeling her First Birthday bib.



Annie's own First Birthday cake.



Cousin Jake, Mammie, and Silly Aunt Debbie, the creaters of Annie's birthday cakes. Didn't they do a great job?



A bunch of banana cakes.



Annie discovering her own cake.



A tired Annie with cousin Jessie. Annie still sucks her thumb when she's hungry or tired.



Cousin Shelby gave Annie this little car for her birthday. Not only did Annie love climbing up and down and all over the box after she opened it, but riding on the car is extra fun too!

Thanks to our family members for making Annie's First 1st Birthday party a complete success. We are very grateful for everything you did to make our little Banana feel so special!