ANNA'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!

I don't know if anyone realized it, but I turned ONE on April 26th, 2009! I have had an incredible year with Mom and Dad who quite possibly are the coolest people ever. They have taken me so many places by car and even plane. They even have cool parent's themselves that bring me gifts and pad my bank account for me when I turn 18 (dad says I can't use the money for Cancun though). Below are some pictures from my 1st birthday weekend. Do you believe that I even took my first steps on my own after everyone left that day. I will have mom and dad add some of the walking pictures / videos of me soon, but I want you to focus on my birthday now! Enjoy!

Mom & Dad bought me this cool water and sand play area for the deck. This was the day before my birthday, but they let me play with it anyway. Next time I should wear a swimsuit.

You can see how much I splash in this picture. Sadie is in the background of this shot and thinks that my new toy is her new "oversized" water dish (dumb dog!).

Thanks mom & dad!

This was a picture of me coming down to my party after my nap. Mom had decorated the whole house while I slept and then she put me in this beautiful dress.

I was a little surprised to see all the grandparents, as well as all of the balloons!

I really should be a model....

I give 2 thumbs up to this party and my mom and dad. You know what, I give 2 thumbs up to this whole first year!

Grammy & Pappy came down to celebrate with me

So did Papa & JJ

And Pops & DeeDee

(Can you imagine having to remember the difference between Pops, Papa, & Pappy all at the age of 1!!!)

Mom helping me unwrap my presents

I got a cool beach chair, umbrella, and sand toys to bring to the beach this summer!

I really should be more modest, but damn I'm cute!

I saw this guy named Elmo at the store and I used to like playing with him there, but now he lives with me and I get to dance and talk with him daily!

I had no idea what this thing was when I first saw it after coming downstairs from my nap, but as you will see below I warmed up to it quickly!

I had the whole party singing a song to me when mom brought the cake out.

I was a little tentative at first since I didn't want to mess up this beautiful cake...

I wanted mom to try it first to make sure it was mommy approved. She told me I could have some too...

You think I look messy now? You must scroll down to see more...

I really do love these guys even though I look a little disgusted in this picture!

Dad gave me the approval to make a mess after he pushed my hands into the cake. I don't think he knew that I was going to clap so much and throw cake on the walls....SORRY DAD!

I found out that icing doesn't feel too good when you rub it in your eyes!

Well...that's it! I took a nap not too long after this picture. It was an exhausting day filled with balloons, presents, guests, photos, cake, and plenty of playing. I am already looking forward to my next birthday, even though mom and dad keep telling me to stop growing up so fast. I hope you enjoyed. I sure did!

Love...ANNA

Spring Odds & Ends

We are back with more pictures and updates after taking too much time between posts. Sorry it took us so long. We have been extremely busy over the past few months and below are a couple of pictures to show some of the places that we have been as a family.


Jim & Colleen invited us once again to their house for Easter and this year that even included Anna in on the Sanderson Easter Egg Hunt. Anna's eggs were right out in the open so it didn't take her long to pick them up with Mom. She even tried to eat the carrot shaped eggs.


Walking with Dad after the Egg Hunt.


Showing everyone how good she is at putting eggs in the basket.


Practicing her walking with Mom holding lightly.

Mom and Anna were supposed to go to a Fairy Festival with some friends in April, but the weather did not cooperate. Mandy made this fairy dress for Anna in preparation though and she was able to get some good shots of her in her room.

Crawling around her room with her skirt.

Anna's first trip to the Baltimore Zoo with Mandy and some friends over Spring Break.

Checking out the ducks in the pond