One happy little 6 month old

Quick update:

Lauren - A "post office" in her preschool classroom inspired her to practice her ABCs by writing real letters.  She continues to gain new skills and techniques in swim class and is so excited on Tuesday afternoons when it's her turn to go to music class with her friend, Bella.

Annie - Doing everything by herself, including getting dressed (even her snowpants) is how Annie likes to spend her days.  She has also decided she likes to go potty on the potty.  That's been interesting! Storytime at the library on Thursdays has been a great addition to our time together.

Caroline - Caroline loves the social interactions while sitting in her highchair and eating lunch and dinner with the family now.  She has mastered the art of rolling over and LOVES putting all her toys, toes, and socks in her mouth.  Smiling continues to be her favorite hobby.

Finally some SNOW!

Our January was full of playdates, birthday parties, craft projects and finally some SNOW!  One Saturday morning while Lauren was at a birthday party and Caroline was napping, Annie and I had a chance to get outside and explore the snow.

Annie LOVED eating the snow.  She sat in the sled for a very long time just picking up snow on her "mitts" (as she calls her mittens) and eating it.

Just the perfect amount of snow to make snow angels.

There came a point when Annie enjoyed pulling the empty sled more than riding in it.  Now, if she only could have pulled Mommy around, that would have been a great moment of rest!

Even the Big Wheel from Silly Aunt Debbie had a chance to come and play in the snow.  

Annie holds Caroline for the first time

I love the look of uncertainty, yet pride in Annie's face.

5 Months Already?

We love our smiley Sweet Caroline!

December Celebrations

Our December started with exciting birthday celebrations for Annie, Papa, and Daddy.  The next few weeks were filled with enjoyable Christmas activities such as a family Advent Wreath celebration at Lauren's school, christmas cookie decorating, delivering gifts to our neighbors, enjoying Christmas lights while driving around, checking out the Christmas train at the Botanic Gardens, celebrating at Lauren's school Christmas party, and watching Charlie Brown and The Polar Express too many times to count.  Here are a few photos of more Christmas festivities.

Our tree was so big this year Lauren had to climb on Geoff's shoulders to put the star on the top.

After Lauren and Daddy placed the star on top, Annie helped Daddy adjust it.

So excited to visit Santa, even though Annie wouldn't get any closer than this.   

Caroline slept through her first Polar Express train trip.

Can't believe Lauren was 3 months old when we started this tradition.

As always, watching out the window was just as much fun and listening to Daddy read The Polar Express.

After all this excitement, we still had the week of Christmas to come.  Seeing so many family members at Jake and Kaitlin's wedding, as well as spending Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa and then a few days up at Mammie and Papa's cabin rounded out our December.  What a festive and whirlwind month it was!

Happy Birthday Daddy

Love,
 all your girls

Happy 2nd Birthday Annie

Annie's Cookie Monster 2nd Birthday Party was a huge success.  She had so much fun eating hot dogs, watermelon, and her cookie cake.

Playing outside in the dark was so much fun too.  The 60 degree weather made it seem more like a summer birthday party, than a party on Dec. 1st.

Annie enjoyed opening her presents too, but didn't understand why she had to keep opening them.  Her first gift was books and all she wanted was for someone to read them to her.

Happy 2nd Birthday Nee Nee!