Baby love and more

The girls met their cousin Mac for the first time this past Wednesday. They were so excited to hold him!



Willa plays babies all the time and she finally got to hold a real one!

We also went to see Disney on Ice. The girls dressed for the occasion.

Willa changed at the last minute from Wedding Ariel to Mermaid Ariel.

We had great seats.



And big smiles.

We love snow!

Most of the time. We had such fun pulling the girls around the neighborhood last night while it was snowing. I love how the entire community is outside.

We had a great time today playing with neighbors:

On our walks:

Sliding down icy driveways:


And eating breakfast outside!

We also had a terrific time yesterday. We put up our tree. Our first real one. I love the smell! Cousin Han (dressed as a reindeer), his Grandpa Mike and my mom (happy birthday!) all joined us for decorating.

Lining up to put on the high ones!

Love the sparkle!

I was very excited to have found this advent calendar for the girls.

We had one like it when I was a kid. We lost it in a large house fire, and I recently found this one online. I had such fond memories of it, and I hope my girls grow to have them too!

Tonight, we did our annual tour of the holiday lights at Lake Phalen. We had a new family member along this time!




Fun as usual!

Welcome Cousin Mac!

My sister Susie and her husband Pat welcomed little Cormac Michael this morning! He entered the world screaming and has lots of black hair hidden under his hat. Han is very excited to be a big brother. And the girls are excited to have Mac as their cousin!

Getting into the spirit

We attended the Macy's Holiday Exhibit today: A Day in the Life of an Elf!






The girls also had a nice visit with Santa! He told them that he prefers chocolate chip cookies. Good to know.

This evening, we returned downtown and attended the Holidazzle Parade!




Peanut is also getting into the spirit of things! Yes, we got her a Christmas sweater.

She clearly loves it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for...and these two are top on our list!



We had a great day celebrating Thanksgiving and the birthdays of my mom and sister!


Hope you had a great day too! Happy Thanksgiving!

The first snowfall

...is always such fun! We have been making multiple trips around the neighborhood walking Peanut and pulling the girls on a sled. We have been throwing snowballs, making snow angels and eating maple snow.

Given her prior life in a puppy mill, and her reaction, I don't think Peanut had ever seen snow before! She was quite excited and raced around the back yard at full throttle. She has been enjoying prancing around in it on her walks.

The girls and their neighborhood friends had a great time running and sliding down front lawns.


Welcome Winter!

Willa's Bouncy Birthday

Willa had a little birthday party last Monday with her best preschool buds at Pump It Up, a bouncy house place. She had been asking for it for about a year...and it was finally time!









Happy Bouncy 4th Birthday Bee!