So, Christmas...Well, Natalie had 5 Christmases this year. That is a lot of work for one little girl. I think she loved every bit of it, though. She was much more into it this year. By "into it" I am referring to actually opening the presents instead of sitting on the boxes (see last year's video if you don't remember). She's still preoccupied with each gift, but usually the words "Natalie, you have another present" were followed by the sound of her little feet running to the holder of said gift. She could even be seen playing Santa and handing out the gifts from time to time. She may still be a little too young to REALLY get into it and enjoy the surprises, but she isn't so old that clothes are not still a great gift. One of my favorite parts was her helping my father open his gifts. He would hand them to her, she would unwrap them, then she would literally throw the box back at him. Luckily they weren't breakable.
On to the pictures. We loved this shawl and hat combo the minute we saw it and couldn't wait to put it on her. Surprisingly, she liked it too and didn't fight to get it off.
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| She said she missed the tree when Amy took it down today. |
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| Her favorite gift this year may be the salon set from her Aunt Brandi. She loves giving everyone their "appointment time." |
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| Putting on her fake lipstick. |
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| I am a little worried that she was so amused by biting off the feet of this poor gingerbread man. |
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| Natalie, Lily, and Lauren at the Kalightoscope exhibit at the Galt House. We all had a good time. Joe and I really enjoyed the scenery at dinner. #insidejoke |
The new year, American version, has come now. We obviously have so much to look forward to. We start the year off as the duck family. We have no idea where this is coming from, but Natalie insists on calling us Mama Duck and Baba Duck. We usually have to refer to her as Baby Duck. This is consequently the only time we are allowed to call her a baby.
We start the year off less one family member. Natalie misses her and still talks about her. She handled the news pretty well though and I think she understands she is gone. She hasn't started asking for another pet yet, but I am hoping that once it is appropriate, we she can convince Mama to get a dog. For now though, we are still remembering Abegail.
Chinese New Year will be here soon. Natalie can expect more gifts. Some from here and some from China. You can expect some pictures. In comes the year of the Dragon!
