Snowy Friends

We got some great snowman snow last night.

Viv built her very own Frosty.

Our street in the fresh snow.

Frosty had raisin eyes, stick arms, and Viv's cowboy hat to go with his carrot nose.

Crystal had to make do with baby carrots.

Please Touch Museum

Elli had fun at the PTM last week.

Elli playing first mate to Captain Juliet.

Elli's first time on a carousel.

I love this photo. Viv looking at the carousel top in amazement while Elli stares at Viv with the same expression of amazement.

Bowling

We took the kids bowling last weekend. Here's Elli and Charlie ready to throw some balls down the lane.

Izzie came too...

Yes, Dads were there.

Moms too.

Older siblings were there as well but amazingly no photos were taken of them. No photos of anyone bowling either... how sad. We took our new Flip camera. Maybe I'll post the video at some point.

Elli's first time at Standard Tap post bowling.

Sleeping

Last week Elli fell asleep in the car on the way home from daycare. I didn't have anywhere to put her when I got in the house so I placed her on the floor.

Oh Yes We Did!

We went to the Zoo the day before the snow storm. First visit in 2011!

The polar bears were very active.

Elli enjoying the polar bear show.

Checking out the bears.

Yes, it was cold!

One of the best things about visiting the zoo on a cold day - no crowds. Normally there is a crowd around this statue.

Snow Day

We got 5 inches of snow this week. It was enough to close the schools in the city.

We spent some time outside in the morning.

The Dollhouse

Santa (with some help from Pop-Pop, above) gave Viv the dollhouse she requested for Christmas.

Viv announced at Thanksgiving that she wanted a dollhouse. It was all she requested when asked. Given the short time frame, Santa worked almost night and day to give Viv her request.

Santa refurbished the dollhouse he gave me over 35? 36? years ago and gave it to Viv. All new exterior paint (it used to be yellow), a new bay window, new front door, window boxes with flowers...

My old Christmas tree in the window.

Santa ripped up all the old carpeting and put down a new tile floor in the kitchen. Some updated furniture as well.

Again, new flooring, new paint, but the original fixtures.

New hardwood floors in the dining room.

I think Mrs Claus made the linens for this house back when I used to play with it.

The new kids' room.

The living room. Did I mention Santa removed all the old wall paper?

The staircase. Ripping out the carpet and putting down hardwood stairs really gave Santa fits!

Playing with her new dollhouse. Its in her bedroom at home now. We've added a few other pieces of furniture and a family. Viv plays with it everyday. Thank you Santa!

A Belated Happy New Year!

We spent New Year's Eve in D-town with the other half of our family.

Elli got all dressed up to celebrate. Don't you love the tulle skirt?

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2011.

The next morning we opened gifts.

Elli really liked the bows.

Smiling in excitment at her big gift from Santa (to be explained in the next post).

Woody and Buzz.

Happy 9th Month Birthday!

Happy Birthday Elli!

Such a ham for the camera.

She loves her feet.

My smiling baby :)

Trouble

Look where I found Elli this morning. I was putting away dishes, turned around, and saw this. Of course, I grabbed my camera before removing her. I seem to remember one of Elli's sweet little cousins doing this same trick. Must run in the family.

Not 5 minutes later, I looked up and found Elli on the step. Yes, she can pull herself up steps now. She's been pulling herself up to stand by furniture as well but she's not quite cruising.