Elizabeth's 1st Birthday!

It was a great day to honor our special girl!! 

Just can't say how much we love her!

The Birthday Cake

Before and After

Opening Presents

A blanket from Mommy

A blanket from Great-Grandma and Grandpa Christensen

(Before my Grandma passed away...she and my Grandpa made a blanket for each of their grandchildren to pass on to their children.  They wanted the next generation to have something that connected to them and helped them know of my grandparent's love...even if they couldn't be here to show it.)

I've been waiting to give it to Elizabeth...but couldn't wait any longer!  A special thing to -- on a day when we wished we had family here to celebrate -- feel a closeness with "those who have gone before". 

It didn't take long for Elizabeth to "catch the spirit" of opening presents.

You can tell she totally enjoyed it!

Probably the sweetest part of Elizabeth's birthday for me was watching the love for her from "the men" in her life.  

Nathan has had a gift for Elizabeth for weeks...tucked away in his desk. A week or so ago, we were at a party store and he just begged to buy a bow...at first I couldn't think of why...but when I saw the purple sparkles on the one he'd chosen I realized this probably wasn't for himself.  The first present on the table on the birthday morning was Nathan's little treasure box with a glow in the dark star and a note.  (See the treasure box with bow in the top "Opening Presents" picture above and note below.)  For a mom...it doesn't get any better than this!

 

Packages from Grandmas

Friends that helped us celebrate.

A new dress for Sunday.