Long time, no see

So, after a VERY long hiatus, I'm starting 2013 with a new blog post. Some technological updates will hopefully make the whole experience run more smoothly on this end. The process became rather unworkable last year. In any case, we'll give this new setup a whirl and see how it goes.
Let's begin with Snow!
After believing  we would get through the season without any snow,  last Friday we watched the endless rain turn to sleet and then to huge, drifting flakes. The girls began their naps with green and woke to a winter wonderland. It got dark too early to enjoy the outdoors that night, but the next morning we were treated to dazzling whiteness with the sun shining and the trees covered in snow. Our neighbors were kind enough to share their sleds, and both girls loved it. "Again!" says Sophie. As I write this, there are only patches of white remaining, but the fun memories remain.

Happy first birthday, Sophie!

Yes, we have a one-year-old in the house again! It's hard to believe that just a year ago we had a tiny newborn in our home. Now she's a toddling wonder, and one who very much enjoyed being the birthday girl.

Big sis had to try on the hat, too, naturally. Well, really we all did. But since I edit this, there are no photos of the rest of us. You will have to use your imaginations--or Photoshop, whichever is easiest.

The first bites of carrot cake.

I would call it a success.

 Presents, presents!

Can you believe it!? All for me!

Drumming: no lessons or modeling required. It's hard wired. (And whose idea was this gift, anyway??)

And finally, our last picture with lambie.

It's just as well, because we can't keep her in the chair anymore.

We all had a wonderful evening celebrating this beautiful addition to our family. We love you, Soph, our happy, comical, sound-sleeping girl.

Summer is here

With a few ninety degree days already behind us, this northerner is declaring the season summer, regardless of the calendar. But the truth is that we've been experiencing bathing suit weather off and on since March. Here are some photos of our spring activities this year:

The water hopscotch has been wonderfully refreshing.

 And we have of course made it to the Knoxville Zoo.

The last time we were there, we met "Mel", the bearded dragon. She is from Melbourne, Australia (hence, her name). We learned that she has scratchy skin to make her unpleasant for predators to eat.

Speaking of predators--he has a name, but it escapes me at the moment. Even though I helped pose this picture, it conjures primal maternal instincts in me.

 

And then, of course, one must stay hydrated.

Anna stuck one of her silly straws into the nozzle of my water bottle. I don't think she got anything but air, but the contraption looks like something from Dr. Seuss.

I apologize that we are short on outdoor photos of Sophie. She mostly sits in the stroller at this point, which she does very patiently. I'm confidant we will have more pictures to post of her soon.

11 months

I suppose this post should be titled, "11 months and a few days" since I was a few days late taking the picture this time. But as you can see from the pictures of our little monkey, we have our hands full!

This month has been all about the standing. As you can see above, we started out with a kind of stretching exercise.

 Here we are looking super grown up with our piano. I can't believe it's time to put the legs on this toy again already.

 Here she is holding onto the strap of Anna's booster seat. She looks like she's ready to water ski!

 And here the adventure begins to take her monthly lambie picture. I had to set the camera to "continuous" mode and keep snapping while pushing her back into her seat.

So next month...walking? I wouldn't be surprised!

Bathing Beauties

Naturally I had to get pictures of the first combined bathtub party. The girls took to it very well, Sophie especially. We just need to work on NOT trying to stand up in the tub quite yet. I think Anna would prefer less splashing as well, but Sophie as usual is the fearless one, a real water baby.

 Sophie has eyes only for Anna.

The finished product--fresh and squeaky clean!

Hitting the trails

This past Saturday, I shared one of my great passions with my daughter: horseback riding! Thanks to Groupon and a friend from church, the two of us took a one-hour trail ride in perfect weather and in a beautiful setting.

 Anna was quite excited about getting to wear a helmet. "Just like a bicycle helmet!" she said. Adults did not have to wear them, but even the smallest size for Anna looked huge. (Appropriately, I took this picture right by the equestrian warning sign.)

 Our group from the back of our horse.

 

Picture of our faithful steed, "King Kong" (no, really) taken from the saddle.  He was the biggest boy in the group, I'm pretty sure. Part draft horse, probably, and wide as a bus. Anna and I rode together, so they gave us the gentle giant. He was a wonderful horse. One of the staff remarked when they saw Anna, "Little  princess needs a white horse to ride." That, and I think he liked my reaction when he announced something named Kong was going to be our mount.

 Our friends joining us in this adventure.

The view from up here.

 


 I had to include a picture of this "station", too. The stable is actually part of something called "Adventure Park" and includes a zip line. I would have thought that would upset the horses, but apparently they are used to it.

 
Our friends behind us.




 We made it! (I'm trying to hold Anna's helmet back so she can see. It kept falling forward over her eyes). So I had a great time, and Anna was very brave. An hour is a long time for a 3 year old, and Kong had a long stride, especially up the steep hills. She told me that night as we were getting ready for bed, "Horses go up and down, up and down." It was memorable for her, to say the least.


 Here we are at a park afterwards, eating some lunch. That, and the playground afterwards, were more Anna's speed. But we are again very grateful to our friends for including us on this fun trip.