Garden of Lights

Between Christmas and New Years we went to the Botanical Garden. Their light display is one of our favorite Christmas traditions:

After the raindrops comes the sun and the rainbow...

Natalie and Karsten at the end of the rainbow - she's my pot of gold!

The huge Christmas tree is one of the best known decorations. The shadow in front is Natalie.

And the huge caterpillar that we walk thru is also a must stop for photos.

Christmas Day

On Christmas morning, Santa left Natalie a present. She didn't even notice it until she was all dressed and ready to go:

Present from Santa.

We spent the afternoon and evening with Aubriella and her family. We were privy to a very, very cool show. There were two very pretty dancers:

Hanging from the rafters.

Action shot!

Those smiles are contagious.

Natalie is acting out some of the song lyrics - "And I think to myself - what a wonderful world"

Ready to take a bow.

More fancy dance moves.

There were costume changes, too:

You can never have too much glitter and glamor.

Gotta love this one - lots of tassels and hair.

Those eyes look so happy.

We also had a guest appearance of a super cool breakdancer...

And another costume change:

I think this dress was chosen based on the silver, not based on the skeleton...

Taking a bow, and posing for the camera.

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve was absolutely wonderful this year! Here are some highlights:

Natalie helped make Ris-a-la-mande, the traditional Danish Christmas dessert.

The result of Natalie playing in the afternoon - all the dolls were set up so nicely.

Christmas dinner - Turkey with all the fixing...

Natalie and Karsten also had time to play.

Since Karsten couldn't lift Natalie when it was Thanksgiving, we waited until Christmas Eve to put the star on the tree, so we could get the traditional pictures:

Putting the star on the tree

Admiring the star

Smile for the camera

Natalie got lots of presents. The swiffer was a present, too - for Karsten's new garage...

More presents

The best present of all - family time!

Snowy Christmas

This year, we definitely had a white Christmas. On Christmas Eve day, Natalie and I went outside to play:

Snow angel.

Get ready...

Get set...

Go!

And get ready for the next round!

Natalie had a whole story about the snow:

Flipping crepes

Natalie and Karsten were making crepes. Natalie was very fascinated with how Karsten could flip them in the air. So, of course she wanted to learn, too! I had a blast watching them and trying to take their picture. Here is one that turned out pretty nice:

Getting ready for the flip...

But some of the other pictures ended up being really funny:

The crepe-hat!

The crepe-face!

Natalie is a fast learner, and she actually got pretty good at it. Just take a look for yourself:

Holiday party at Daycare

As usual, daycare had a party around Christmas time:

Natalie made a pretty Christmas card

And played pin the star on the Christmas tree.

But as usual, one of the best parts was decorating the cookies...

And tasting them!

Natalie even made an extra one for Daddy.

Holiday concert at school

This year's Holiday concert at school was a hit. Here are a few pictures:

I am always impressed at how organized everything seems to be at Natalie's school. There is always an atmosphere of respect and positive re-enforcement. Here come the first graders, walking so nicely in their line:

Can you spot Natalie? (click on the picture to enlarge)

All of the first graders on stage.

A little closer...

And here's a happy girl amongst friends.

The program was cute and fun, and the singing and dancing left everyone filled with Christmas Joy.

Holiday baking

One of Natalie's gifts from her birthday was a very cool apron. Of course, we had to test it out:

One of the best parts of baking is getting to lick the utensils.

And since it was December, we improvised and made these:

Santa cupcakes!

Natalie's birthday party

This year, Natalie choose to have her birthday party at the bowling alley. We all had a great time.

The birthday girl.

Getting ready to bowl.

Go, Natalie, go!

That's my big girl.

The birthday cake - Teen Beach Movie is one of Natalie's favorite movies (and mine, too...)

Seven of Natalie's best friends were at her party. I'm not posting pictures with Natalie's guests, since I haven't had a chance to get approval to do so from the parents. 

I must say, Natalie chooses her friends well. Everyone were very well behaved, and it was very enjoyable to see her interact with her peers. They are all good kids.