Sweet Katie's Birthday

On January 10, Katie turned one year old. It's amazing how fast this first year has flown! We got to help celebrate the day by attending her party along with the other grandparents and some of Katie's aunts and uncles.
Beth made a butterfly cake since that seems to be one of Katie's interests at this point in her young life.

Hmm! Pretty!

Should I touch it?

So dainty! This was about as far as she got with the frosting. She didn't like the feel of it. Beth had changed her to this outfit for the cake just in case she really got sticky, but the most she did was to get frosting on her finger and then wipe it off onto her leg! And she lost interest fairly quickly.

The rest of us enjoyed the cake! It was another of Beth's yummy recipes. Mmmmmm!

Under the Tree

A fun thing I did as a kid and taught my own kids and now my grandkids. Here I am with Donny under his Christmas tree. "See all the pretty lights?"

Christmas with the Whittakers

We didn't have our family Christmas celebration until New Year's Eve -- not an uncommon thing for us. We like to spread our Christmas out and make it last!!
On the 29th, Tim and Heather came to spend some time in our apartment with us. We loved having them and little Beniah here. We babysat Kim's Donny on the 30th. He wasn't sure what to think of his little cousin. When Beniah cried, Donny would run to the kitchen to get away.

Here we thought he was showing a bit of interest, but just when I was ready to take the picture, he exclaimed, "Elmo!" and started playing with the toy on the front of Beniah's chair. Beniah seemed more interested in Donny than Donny was in him.

The youngest family member.

"Santa Baby"

We had a few extended family and friends join us this year. This is our dear sis-in-law, Kathy and friend, Dave.

Jack really likes his little cousin.

Our little darling, Katie melts our hearts. She's so precious!

This was a fun photo shoot!! The ages of our little ones and the varied personalities made it difficult to get everyone looking in the same direction at the same time. There were at least 5 cameras flashing pics and all the adults (except Grandma who was holding Beniah in place) grouped in front of the little ones trying to capture their attention. Then Katie was done and climbing down, and it was all over -- in a flash!

Katie, Donny, Jack and Beniah. Aren't they cute?!!

We always have fondue. Yummy!

Kim and Heather

Jack and Uncle Timmy

Jim with his brother, Jeff