February 2013

Back to getting this blog up to date and we're on to February. It was a busy month with lots of fun things going on. We also made a trip to Rome, but that will be in another post since there are lots of pictures I need to choose from.

The weather was finally warming up enough to make a trip back to the zoo.  We love that place! Buying the annual pass is such a great deal for us because then we can go whenever we want and we don't feel obligated to stay the entire day since we didn't pay any extra to be there. 

This day we went with our friends, Kim and Chris.  It was rainy, but the girls made the best of it by splashing around in the puddles. One stop that I always make at the zoo in to see the baby Chimps. We have watched them grow up and I just love to see them play.  They are so much like people.  The babies are around 2 years old now and very toddler like and playful.

Another birthday for Sam and another ice cream cake. Not my favorite, but he loves ice cream and if it's on a cake....even better.  This year we had Kim and Chris over for a cookout and to share the cake. 

Sam surprised me on Valentine's Day this year.  I had a doctor's appointment early that day and when we got home later Elly and I found flowers, cards and little gifts on the counter waiting for us.  It was very sweet and appreciated. 

We have lots of playdates throughout the year and this year we decided to do a Valentine's Day playdate as well.  It fell on the day after though because we all had obligations on the actual day.  It's always fun to get ready for a party.  The decorating and the food.  Elly loves being part of it all. The day of the party happened to be Kristal's birthday too, so we stuck a candle in a cupcake and sang to her. ☺

Next up....Rome! Hopefully, I can narrow the hundreds of pictures I have down to just a few. ☺

January 2013

In trying to catch up on this blog I'm going to just highlight a few things we did during January.

Elly was opening her box from Aunt Kristy and had to model ☺ My sister knows I love this sweatshirt for Elly.  If I had one my size I would certainly wear it.  It just feels like "Alaska" to me.

 

My friend and I took our girls to see a theater production of Cinderella.  Of course, the girls had to get dressed in their finest Cinderella dresses for it.  It was so well done and the girls loved it.  The highlight was getting to meet and take pictures with Cinderella and the step sisters after the play.

 

One Saturday in January we went to a sledding hill in the Black Forrest with our neighbors.  We had such a fun day.  Something that was unual to find in Germany, but we really enjoyed was a conveyer belt on the sledding hill that we could just jump on and get taken back to the top of the hill.  It was much easier for Elly too. 

 

Elly is such a sweet little girl.  I was at the doctor's office and she was just patiently waiting while she played on the iPad.

 

If I can get through the other months this quickly I might have a chance at catching up! ☺

Taking pictures...3 year old style.

Is just ONE good picture of my little girl dressed up for Christmas Sunday too much to ask for?!?

 

I guess so.☺

 

 

Holidays ~ 2012

There are always lots of things going on through the holiday season. Here is an overview of our holidays...only 7 months late. ☺

Elly loves to help in just about any way, but one of her favorite things to do it help out in the kitchen.  Here she was dipping the cookies in powdered sugar.  She took it very seriously and did a great job.

Elly was going to be a little sheep in the Christmas play at church and needed an outfit.  I couldn't find a suitable one to buy, so I took one of Sam's old tee shirts, cut off the sleeves and glued batting puffs over the entire thing.  Elly did not consider it finished until I put a tail on  her little sheep outfit. I think it all turned out pretty cute. 

Opening our stockings and one gift on Christmas Eve after coming home from a candlelight service.

Christmas morning ~

 

New Year's Eve ~