Barnyard Boogie

Last night was our Girl Scout Service Units Father/Daughter Dance, Barnyard Boogie. The girls could bring their dad or other VIP. I was official photographer for the dance and took over 300 pictures of all the girls and their VIP. Some brought dad, some brought grandpa, some brought mom. C had to work, but the girls were my wonderful assistants and had a blast!

Notice the girls are in "real" cowboy boots. We have a friend who is a real cowgirl and she lent us her son's old boots. CK and O were so excited! Thanks CF! The boots made the outfits!

100th Day of School

Today is the 100th day of school. This is a big day if you are in Kindergarten or 1st Grade or a teacher of any grade.

O had a fun homework assignment this week, for the 100th day of school. Every 1st Grader was given a painters hat. The assignment: to put 100 things on it. Anything you want. CK had the same assignment when she was in 1st Grade. We did buttons. Knowing my girls, I knew they were going to want to wear the hat for longer than one day. I wanted something that would last. I was right. CK still wears her hat.

I helped O sew the buttons on her hat. She did most of the work. She did a great job. I LOVE the theme she choose for her hat! She can wear it for 4th of July too! Hmmmm, I might want one.

Happy 100th Day of School! About 80 left until Summer vacation!

New 'Do for O

I am so proud of O! For the past year and a half or so she has wanted to donate her hair (just like her big sister).  She has been growing her hair out ever since. Every time she gets it trimmed she asks Aunt J (my sister who cuts their hair) if it's long enough to donate. Aunt J measures and the answer has been "Not yet." Until today!!!

Today was the big day! O has been so upset every time the answer has been no. The long hair has been driving her crazy. Not anymore!

O looks so cute with her new 'do! She LOVES it!!!! Locks of Love will be getting some beautiful hair.

The End of 2009 and the Beginning of 2010

I just can not believe it is 2010....2010! Wow, time has always gone too fast, but once kids are a part of your life it really does go faster. Much too fast!

We celebrated the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 in Lake Tahoe. Just like last year, C made a little sledding run for the girls on the side of the house. It's perfect! They just love sledding!

Here are some pictures from our last day of 2009.

After playing in the snow for hours we got ready to ring in the new year; cocktails and Papa's New Years Eve traditional dinner of cheese fondue (with bread, fruit and veggies), and wimpies. YUM! The girls love this dinner (well, not the cocktails).

New Years Eve was a Blue Moon. I took this shot at midnight. We couldn't believe how much light there was from the moon. So beautiful.

2010 started with a beautiful light snowfall and the girls playing in the snow until their clothes were socked through. I was feeling lazy and didn't want to go out in the cold. I took these from the bedroom window.

Our Christmas Week of Fun

What a wonderful week we've had. It started with baking cookies with my girls. We do it every year. This year I thought I would try a few different recipes. The Cashew-Lemon Shortbread Cookies were a huge hit. We'll be making those again for sure.

Tuesday we went Christmas Caroling to my grandmother's house. She will be 95 in February. Singing and a short visit was the perfect gift. Well, in addition to her favorite cookies...Biscotti. After having a wonderful dinner with my parents I took the girls and my cousin to Christmas in the Park.

Wednesday, we had our annual visit with our good friend JBK in Santa Rosa. Each year we find something fun to do for the day. This year we took the girls ice skating for the very first time at Snoopy's Home Ice. We had a blast. The girls didn't want to leave.

After a full day of ice skating and decorating cookies we had a wonderful dinner with Aunt D and Uncle J in The City. What a wonderful visit and delicious dinner.

Christmas Eve we went to mass and had another great visit with my cousins. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures from that night. We had a great dinner, a joyful surprise (one of my cousins came home for Christmas),  and a wonderful visit.

Christmas morning we stayed home. We opened gifts from Santa and a few others that were under the tree. I made Dutch Baby for breakfast. YUM and the girls played and we relaxed until it was time to go to my parents for a wonderful dinner.

 

A picture is worth a 1,000 words! O's favorite gift from Santa.

Here are some pics from my parents house. I think I like the goofy picture of all the cousins better.

Merry Christmas! I hope you also had a wonderful week filled with good food and the ones you love.

I love all of our traditions. What a fabulous week we had!

Thanksgiving

As I am getting ready to post pictures from our fun Christmas week, I realized I never posted Thanksgiving. I thought I'd better at least post a collage.

I love Thanksgiving. Not only for the wonderful pies, turkey, and stuffing, but for the relaxing day to spend with those we love.

As I looked out my parents kitchen window on Thanksgiving afternoon the sun was shinning on one beautiful baby pink rose. It was shinning there in full bloom for everyone to admire. It was so beautiful. So uncommon for the end of November.