Nat's First Birthday Party

As you well know, Natalie turned one last week.  Pictures from the party are long overdue, I know.  Allow me to digress for only a moment.  Do you know how challenging it is to organize, throw, and host a party, assist a one-year-old through the afternoon, AND be the party photographer all at the same time?  Nearly impossible.  So, one of the tasks had to be thrown out the window, and, sadly, that was capturing most of the afternoon on film.

I finally got some pictures from my mom...

First, the magnificent cakes!

Nat's own cupcake

They tasted pretty darn good, too!

With approximately a dozen celebrations of Christmas leading up to her party, Nat was a pro at presents...

Getting right into it

She paused to read every book she opened...

How adorable is this little hat?  It has a matching sweater, too.

Nat had some assistance from a seasoned present opener!

Looking for approval to eat her cupcake

Better double check with mom first.

One bite at a time so as to minimize messes.

She's still letting me think she needs my help.

Have you ever seen a neater kid?

Modeling her new John Deere boots and test-driving her rocking horse

Now that she's 1, she's too cool for school.  Doesn't this remind you of a celebrity dodging the paparazzi?