December 29 - The Last Snow Of The Year

We were surprised with a little snowstorm today. It started around 2:30 in the Portland area, but it didn't take long for it to hit Ridgefield. The kids enjoyed some time outside, while Mommy enjoyed a 2+ hour commute home. Turns out I was one of the lucky ones. Some of my peers took 3.5 - 4.5 hours to get home.

 

 

 

 

December 29 - our girls

A few pictures

 

 

 

 

December 28 - Fire Chief

These pictures are proof positive that Fire Chiefs are ADORABLE!!!



 
 
 
 

December 26 - This Is What Cute Looks Like

Girls had a lovely day playing today. Uncle Ross and Aunt Lynn came over for dinner tonight. We had a great time. They were very generous with gifts for the girls (and for us.) I'll post some pictures from Saturday evening when I have a chance.

 
 
 
 

In case you forgot or need more samples, this also is what cute looks like (grin):



I absolutely love these pictures. Katie saw Maggie sitting in the blue chair and, as expected, she wanted to join Maggie. It looks at various times as if Maggie is telling Katie a secret or trying to glob onto her nose :-)

December 25 - Merry Christmas!

OK, so it's taken me a ridiculously long time to blog about our Christmas celebration (today is actually January 18).

We had a wonderful Christmas morning. I think our gift opening last longer than the tour by the S.S. Minnow! Each present Katie unwrapped needed to be immediately opened and played with. I suppose I should appreciate and enjoy the leisure, because the "done in 15 minutes flat" years are certainly ahead of us!

We took a break in the gift-giving so I could make Daddy his favorite breakfast... biscuits and gravy! They turned out pretty darn good, if I say so myself!

The surprise gift of the day for me was... a newer, more fangled Keurig coffee maker! We now have the same fancy one my folks have... LOVE IT!!!!! I was ridiculously excited about it-- fortunately, I don't think Kevin captured that on video.

Grandma and Grandpa came over in the afternoon and we exchanged gifts from them. I got a toaster oven (woo hoo!) and a new crock pot cookbook and tons of other stuff. Reminds me-- I need to print out some pictures for Kevin's new photo albums!

It got to be so late in the day that I think we had to forego a nap for Katie (always a little dangerous)

We went over to Darren and Debbie's for a lovely Christmas dinner. I'm always so grateful for a dinner invitation from them. They are wonderful cooks and excellent company (of course they are, they're family!) They made us Paella. What a labor of love!



 
 
 
 

December 20 - Peek-a-Boo!

Katie was having a fun time playing Peek-a-boo with Maggie while Maggie was enjoying a little dinner. Made for a messy meal, with Maggie constantly turning her head at the perfect moment!



 
 
 
 

November 25 - Zoo Lights

Happy 48th Wedding Anniversary, Mom & Dad (Grandma & Grandpa)!! We love you so very much









Katie, Maggie, Kevin and I met Steve/Renae/Alyssa at Zoo Lights tonight. While we got there early, we ended up with about a 15 minute wait for the zoo train-- not bad. The reason we were late meeting the Gibbons Family? Maggie (a.k.a., Little Miss Poopie Pants) blew out her diaper and through 2 layers of clothes during our drive to the Oregon Zoo. Made for a fun cleanup in the back of the Pacifica. Grateful I had at least 1 back up set of clothes. It was so messy, we ended up running the car seat padding through the wash! Probably badly needed washing anyway, but ugh...

Had a great time at Zoo Lights. We were able to see a few animals out, and the lights were beautiful. Katie wanted to walk everywhere, so we ended up separating from the Gibbonses until the end of the evening. It's great Katie is so active and wants to walk everywhere (the independant little thing), but it sure makes for slow going! :-)

We definitely need to get back to the zoo the next time we have a mild weather weekend. Katie loved it, and Maggie did absolutely awesome! A very nice way to start the holiday season.




After we got the girls down to bed, I made the brine for our turkey and set the bird to soak overnight.

That was fun (and a first). Earlier today, I made the Apple Pie filling, and tomorrow I will bake the apple pie in the morning.

November 25 - So, this is what all the fuss is about!

Maggie got to enjoy her first solids this Thanksgiving. Unsurprisingly, she's a fan!

 
 
 
 

November 24 - I'M HOW OLD???

Maggie turned 6 months old today. I can't believe how the time has flown. We are taking tons of pictures, but I can't seem to get 'em posted into a blog! So, here are some pictures from October/November of the Magster.

She is doing a great job sitting up. Hardly falls over anymore. She continues to be incredibly happy and is such a joy to be around. She gets so tickled watching her big sister, and I get so tickled watching her marvel at Katie.

Speaking of big sis, her speech and conversation continue to amaze us. She is developing a great imagination, making up words, telling stories, etc. It's probably a good thing she's not a twin-- I'm sure they'd have their own language together and we wouldn't be able to understand a word they are saying! Katie's started something new. She has her Daddy recite "Goodnight Moon", and at the end, Katie adds to it things like, "Goodnight, GlubGlub... Good night ziidnit, Goodnight, blurg" You get the idea. So funny! The words get progressively longer, too (I think 1 is 4 or 5 syllables)

 
 
 
 

Maggie graduates to a crib!

 
We finally managed to pick up the used crib that Deanna's friend Cindy promised to give us. So yesterday was moving day for Maggie because at the same time we picked up the crib, we dropped off the bassinet to Steve and Christy, who just had their second (baby Emma) on Friday. I can't say that Maggie's first night in the crib was very spectacular. After a couple of failed attempts, Deanna managed to get her settled in there sometime before 10 p.m., but she only lasted a few hours before she missed us terribly (or got cold, or hungry, or...). She spent the rest of the night in our bed. But then again, we knew it would be a process, so hopefully tonight will be better.

We also haven't managed to convert the guest room (where the new crib is) into a real nursery yet, so that's really the next step...

October 23 - Naked Baby Pictures

 
 
 
 


Who doesn't love a naked baby? Especially a Michelin Baby like our girl Mags!! These pictures were taken last weekend.

Enjoy.