Christmas 2008

Christmas was a lot of fun this year. We had our church family Christmas dinner at the beginning of the month:

I can't figure out how to turn these pictures. I've never has this problem before.

Claire made these pails for her friends with snowball soap,a washcloth and treats. I didn't get any pictures making the soap. It was kind of messy, but a really fun project.

Ella with Mr. Rick and Miss Kim (aka Missu Week an Miss Tim)

Ella loved the doctor kit she received at the gift exchange and couldn't wait to show Santa.Here she is enjoying her doctor's kit. She has a very unique bedside manner!Claire asked me on the way home who was dressed up like Santa. When I asked how she knew it was someone dressed up she said "Cause his beard was moving all over his face and Santa's doesn't do that. He also gave us chocolate and Santa gives us toys!" Sorry Gary the gig is up!
We had a little early Christmas celebration at home before going to NC. It started with our family tradition of fondue for dinner and then a few gifts to open.

Claire received a Nintendo DS which she has not stopped playing since.
Next it was off to North Carolin a to spend Christmas with family. The cousins all together.

Reading the Gingerbread Baby

Love this picture of Harper and her "Muncle Egg"!

Aunt Da's Christmas pancakes

Miscellaneous pics from the zoo. We've been enjoying our zoo passes this year.

The girls love the white tiger and think it's neat that it is found in Asia.

Fallin' into Fun

THE END!

Floridians + Fall Mountain Leaves= Lots of Pictures

We took an unexpected trip to Franklin, North Carolina this month. Ed's parents usually spend the month of October in the mountains at their cabin. While they were there, Ed's dad became very sick and we drove up to help them drive back home. He's doing much better now. While we were there, we were able to see the leaves changing colors and do a few fall activities that we don't normally get to do in Florida.

Ella got some more pumpkin lovin'. She did this last year too, I don't know why but when she sees a "pukin" she's just gotta love on it!
I sure wish she'd do this on our potty at home!We found a beautiful park on the lake.... ...and Claire discovered static electricity!!

If you're throwing rocks in the lake and one doesn't go as far as you want it to then.... just walk right out, pick it up, and try again!!
Colored leaves were a huge fascination. and so was a dirt hill with no ants..(mommy had to just look away)

Milestones

We've had a few firsts around here. Which is always a reminder that the girls are growing up way too quickly.

Claire lost her first tooth...

Here's the old smile

Here's the new smile

Ella has moved out of her crib into a big girl bed...

Here's why she is no longer in her crib

Here's her first night in her new bed

The girls now share a room so we finally have a guest bedroom again!

There's never enough hours in the day...

...for a two year old to run out of things to do!
Like figuring out how to open the baby powder...
feeding a stuffed friend--what else?-more stuffing!.... ...swingin....

shopping with two purses.... stealing Mommy's milkshake....a little horsebackriding (emphasis on little)....
and catching some z..z..z's!

One Last Big Hurrah

Our season passes at Disney were expiring so we decided to take one last trip. We got a great deal and stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Our room overlooked the Sahara, so we were able to see the animals from our balcony which was way cool! We spent the mornings at the pool and went to the parks after nap time and stayed until closing. We had a great time. Goodbye sweet Disney getaways you will be missed.

Ella is crazy about Minnie Mouse. We waited in line to meet her and Mickey but it was so worth it to see her so star struck!

Claire's First Day of Kindergarten

Claire is now a schoolgirl!! She was so excited about starting Kindergarten and could not wait to get to school. She loves her teacher and had a great day and mommy only got a little choked up once! We had a "First Day of School" celebration after dinner tonight and surprised Claire. Unfortunately, school has been cancelled tomorrow because of Tropical Storm, "Fay", so it's back to staying home tomorrow. Hopefully, Wednesday we will be back to our new routine.

Our "First Day of School" cake from SuperWalMart...
Ella reaping the benefits of her sister's hard work...

Family Vacation - Oxymoron?

So, Ed says that the term Family vacation is actually an oxymoron. A vacation is when you go away somewhere and rest while being waited on hand and foot. You then, return home relaxed and fully rejuvenated, ready to take on reality. You put the word family in front of it, however, and it suddenly becomes a time when you pack up most of your house and jam it, and your family, into the car to head somewhere that is much farther away than it seemed. Once there, you work yourself silly trying to keep your little ones entertained and happy while they wander around napless and hyped up on sugary snacks you use to pacify them while getting from one place to another. Somewhere in there are moments when you realize your having fun and your kids are having fun at the same time and you take pictures of those moments and suddenly it all becomes worth it. Here are some pictures of our "moments"

Breakfast in bed at the hotel

Dollywood

Somewhere in the Smokies...Mining for jewels was a favorite for Claire and Nana....
Picking blackberries with Bapa.....





Sliding Rock.....




Goofing off!! Cherokee.....

Black Light Putt -Putt

Happy 4th!!

This year we decided to load the girls up in the wagon and take them to the Lutz July 4th parade. It was very hot, but it was fun and afterwards we went to a friend house for a picnic. The girls were pretty worn out after that, so we decided to stay home and watch the fireworks from home. We live near a lake and the neighborhood put on a pretty impressive show.