Korban's 1st Birthday!

Korban fell in love with his balloons the moment I arrived home with them and he was very protective of them too! Who knew!
He wasn't afraid of his cake, he dug right in!
I made his cakes this year! The big one that everyone ate was a lion face, and his was just a small individual cake with stripes on it.

Korban's little personality!

He loves to help his daddy take out the trash!

Korban is a big fan of Italian food: Pizza, Lasagna, Spaghetti, Garlic Bread etc.

Korban thinks he needs to play in the kitchen while mommy is cooking, and he loves his tupperware cupboard.

I'm sure all the family will be happy to know he's learning how to use a tape measure. He even knows how to push the button to retract it, so he can pull it out again! Endless fun.

We had a great time in Colorado with friends and family! The trip home was not too eventful, although Korban was not a big fan of being scrunched in a regular aisle of seating. We did a lot of walking on the plane.

It took us about a week to get back on our schedule here in Germany, but that was partly because we didn't use an alarm clock the first few days, and slept really weird hours!

We can't wait to go back again, and see everyone!

Korban sure was excited to get his first bag of "toots" from Great Grandpa. It's a tradition in the Kornelsen family that goes back...well I don't know how far, but I know that it's something we all look forward to every year without fail! (It's a bag of treats, nothing nasty)

We also enjoyed a wonderful fondue meal at Great Grandpa and Great Grandma's house, another tradition that goes back to when Grandma Brian and Great Aunt Mari were little girls! It's always a great time, and will be fun when Korban eventually gets to take part as well!

Korban had a blast playing in the wrapping paper trash after everyone opened their gifts.



Papa Kent and Korban enjoying a nap together!




Here are a couple quick pictures of family with Korban. We don't know how we missed getting pictures with them during all the festivities, but wanted to make sure we documented it just the same! Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of Korban with his Papa Leeper or with his "Uncle" Chas and Ruth. We'll get it on the next trip!

Aunt Holly and Korban

Grandpa Brian and Korban

Korban got great treats in his stocking from Nona and Papa Kent and had to break right into them! It's bedtime and Korban is cuddling with the fuzzy bear Aunt Holly gave him!


Christmas morning, Korban got musical maracas, an activity table and some clothes from mom and dad. He liked the maracas best because he could play with them right away. He had to wait to use his activity table until we got back home. Korban loved spending time at Great Grandpa and Great Grandma's house. I think they liked having him around too!
Here Korban is getting his first piano lessons from Grandma Brian and cousin Grace! Let's make beautiful music together!