Snow! Snow! Snow! We have been enjoying Snowpocalypse 2009, close to 2 feet of snow! Lily has been having a blast, she has been sledding in front of our house and playing with neighbors, went sledding on a big hill with Dad, and sledded for about 3 hours at Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom's today. Jack is very enthusiastic about getting on all of his snow gear, but once he gets out there, he is a little hesitant. He just gets swallowed up by the snow. He had fun on Sunday with a shovel and bucket although he wants to keep taking off his gloves, and has gone sledding a few times.
We are gearing up for Christmas - Aunt Tracy, Uncle Stan and cousin Casey managed to drive into town on Saturday and Aunt Kelly arrived last night!
Merry Christmas!!
Working on an art project on his new desk a birthday gift from friends Meredyth and Shellie.
At her last skating lesson.
Jack rocking out. That is him yelling Rock Star at the end.
Just another dinner around here.
Jack and his new Cabbage Patch Kid - Pat. A gift from Cousin Emilie.
Pat is a big kid.
Lil showing off her new cd - a gift from Cousin Emilie.
Ready to face the snow.
Covered in snow.
Recovering from the snow by painting Hanukkah cookies sent by Aunt Donna and Uncle Stephen.
Sledding on Sunday.
A quick trip down the hill at the local school field.
Hiking back up the mountain with Aunt Tracy and Aunt Kelly.
Jack coming back up the hill with an assist from Grandma Gail.
We have Jack's official stats in, he is 26 lbs, 3 ounces (25th percentile) and 35 inches tall (75th percentile) - he is a tall, skinny fella - we told the doctor it is because he only eats two meals a day, usually preferring to skip dinner, but no fear he is getting plenty of nutrition in the all the fruit he eats and milk he drinks! He also loves the gummy vitamins! He was healthy and the pediatrician said it was such a pleasure to examine a 2 year old who did not scream and fight her.
Hanukah is in full swing...Lily had her Hanukah party at school where she learned all about the menorah, dreidels, and Macabees - she already knows a lot from all of the books we read, but always nice to have a refresher. On Friday, Mom, Lily and Jack went to dinner with friend Sarah - this was Jack's second time dining at Spices in DC and he was not much better than last time, he really enjoys touring the restaurant and thus it is all about eating and running. We rushed home from dinner to light the candle for the first night of Hanukah, and the kids opened their first of eight gifts courtesy of Aunt Donna and Uncle Stephen. Lily was very excited to open her American Girl pjs, she and Julie now have matching pjs (see below).
On Saturday, we headed to Grandpa Maurice's and Grandma Phyllis' for Hanukah dinner - we ate some latkes and Dad even made some kugel. G&G gave Lily a Nutcracker book and jewelry box, while Jack got a book about his name and some funny magnetic acrobats. They are enjoying their gifts!
On Sunday morning, while Mom braved the cold and rain to run a 10K, Dad held down the fort and took Lily to her last swim lesson. She has officially graduated to the next level which will start at the beginning of the new year, she loves swimming and she is making grand improvement. Next, it was off to The Nutracker Ballet at the Warner Theatre in DC with Hayley and Ms. Michelle - we had great seats and the girls loved the show. Dad and Jack hung at home, watched a little football, and Jack got in a good nap.
Tonight, we celebrated the fourth night of Hanukah - the kids love lighting the candles and opening gifts! Happy Hanukah to everyone!
In closing, special wishes to Bubbie who is feeling a bit under the weather. And many thanks to Great Aunt Donna who is working hard to take care of her!
Checking out her new snowman.
Learning that it lights up!
Trying on some new mittens.
Opening some presents with Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Maurice.
Is that Lily or Julie - it is hard to tell them apart.
Happy Birthday to Jack! He officially turned 2 today after a weekend of birthday activity. Jack loved hearing people sing happy birthday to him over the weekend and loved singing it to himself.
On Saturday, both sets of grandparents came over to celebrate Jack's birthday. Some of Jack's fun presents included little footballs from Aunt Kelly, a tool truck from cousin Casey, Aunt Tracy and Uncle Stan, a piano from Emilie, a cleaning cart from cousin Stephanie, a Matchbox car set from Grandma Gail and Granpda Tom, and Mr. Men books from Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Maurice - Jack is very appreciative for all of his birthday gifts and wishes! Both Jack and Lily have thoroughly been enjoying the new toys!
Over the weekend we also enjoyed our first mini snow storm - unfortunately it was just a little too wet to really go outside and enjoy but it was nice to look at. On Sunday, Lily had swim lessons, and Mom and Lily went ice skating, she is getting pretty good at both.
Enjoy the pics and video.
Checking out his new drill.
Checking out his piano with his new Thomas backpack. Jack's new cleaning cart is in the background.
Ready for dinner with some balloons.
A portrait of the two year old and five year old! How time flies.
Singing.
Cupcake time ...
...
Suffering through another Redskin's game and taking the edge off with a little milk.
Gobble, Gobble...we had a fun Thanksgiving with lots of family!
On Tuesday, cousin Emilie arrived into town from NYC, and cousin Stephanie joined her Wednesday evening for their annual Turkey trek to D.C. On Wednesday, we made a trip to Sears in an attempt to have pics taken of Lily, Jack and Casey - I would love to report that we got some adorable pictures, but unfortunately none of them turned out great, the kids were not that cooperative, and when one would look cute, the others had other things in mind. Thus, professional pics of the cousins has so far been a bust, we will just have to continue with taking free pics ourselves! While at the mall, Lily and Jack made their first pre-Thanksgiving visit to see Santa - Lily hopped right up onto Santa's lap while Jack gave Santa a high five and fist bump (who knew Santa was so hip?!) and clung to Mom's arm and was going nowhere near Santa's lap.
On Turkey Day, we all headed over to Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom's and were joined by Grandpa Maurice, Grandma Phyllis, and Great Yellow Grandma - and of course Aunt Kelly. The kids had lots of fun, and Lily had her fill of about 10 pieces of banana bread, she was not a huge fan of the Thanksgiving feast, but our thought is more for us! ;) On Friday, it was time to do away with fall decorations and we got out the Christmas tree, menorahs, and other decorations - we spent the day decorating the tree - and were later joined by Grandma Gail, Grandpa Tom, and Aunt Kelly for leftovers. Aunt Kelly flew back to Colorado later in the day, and Em and Steph headed back to NYC.
On Saturday, we made a family trip to the mall, and while normally malls are about shopping, the kids made out really well - they got to see the fish at the LLBean store, Lily got to sit on Santa's lap again (Jack and Santa high fived again), they rode the mall train, and then we ended the afternoon at an outdoor playground. Jack then took close to a 3 hour nap, while Lily worked on some art projects and played veterinarian.
On Sunday, we headed over to Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom's to decorate the Christmas tree and met up with Aunt Tracy, Uncle Stan, and Casey for leftovers - they were in Roanoke for Thanksgiving. It was a nice day, so they got in some play time in the driveway and took a walk in the wagon.
Lily is very exicted about all aspects of celebrating Christmas and Hanukah, she thinks she is pretty lucky that she gets to celebrate both, although we are getting lots of questions that at times we struggle to answer. In a discussion about Rudolph, she asked why Santa didn't just use a flashlight to guide his sleigh - pretty reasonable question we thought. In examining a cresh at Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom's, she asked why Jesus was nailed to the cross - that was a tough one - her Uncle Stan explained to her it because people thought he didn't tell the truth, way to put the fear of God in her!
A week from today, Jack will be 2 years old, time flys! He can sing in full his ABCs and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and can count to 10. He also repeats anything and everything his sister says and does, which at times she finds hilarious and other times she finds completely annoying! As an early birthday present courtesy of Aunt Donna and Uncle Stephen, Mom and Dad spent three hours putting together Jack's train table - both Jack and Lily were very excited and we suspect Jack will be spending lots of time in the basement with his "choo choo trains."
Enjoy the pics!
In matching white for photos that just did not work out.
Hanging out with Cousin Em. Somehow, Cousin Steph managed to avoid the camera.
Jack carried the dog all the way from the sun room to the kitchen and then sat down for a ride.
Hanging out with Santa.
Jack checking out his birthday present from Aunt Donna and Uncle Stephen. A little early but some assembly was required.
Heading into the holiday season and we have lots to report on. We had, of course, the regular weekly activities -work, school, nanny time, figure skating and swimming. In addition we had visits from Grandparents, Aunts, Uncle, Cousin and time with friends.
On Thursday, Lily had another skating lesson. Slow improvements are continuing and we just have to get Lily to the rink a bit more to keep improving. Due to busy schedules, Lily was accompanied by Grandma Gail who filled in perfectly.
On Friday, Lily and Jack visited the zoo with neighborhood friends Madeline and Claire. Many animals were viewed and the day was completed with our weekly Friday night feature - this week A Bugs Life.
Saturday started off with an early breakfast out and then a long, patient morning at the County parade. There were floats, bands, balloons and every local politician. There were lots of pencils and candy distributed and the kids had a blast. After a quiet afternoon, Lily was off the Madeline's birthday party and we had a visit from Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis.
Sunday started off with swim lessons and finished with visits from Grandma Gail, Grandpa Tom, Aunt Kelly, Aunt Tracy, Uncle Stan and little Casey.
That is all for now ... onto the pictures. Happy Thanksgiving.
It was a busy week around here but very few pictures to show for it. As we gear up for the holidays there was lots of ice skating and visits with friends.
On Wednesday, Veteran's Day, Marcy and Jack visited friends Erin and Holden. Jack had a good time with Holden and had a fun day alone with his Mom. Lily had a good day at school and was excited all week that her teacher Ms. Linda returned from vacation.
On Thursday, Lil had her second ice skating lesson and seems to be getting better. Friday was a busy day and was finished off with movie night - the very scary G rated - Tale of Despereux.
On Saturday, we started off the day running some errands, went ice skating in the middle (my first time in 18 years or so) and then finished up with a fun evening with Hayley and Cole over for dinner.
On Sunday, Marcy, Lily and Jack were off to Delaware for a visit with some of our law school friends. Lily and Jack had fun playing with Ian, Jonah, Oliver and Viggo.
That is all for now. See you next week.
Hanging with Holden.
Future figure skaters of America.
From left, Jonah, Oliver, Jack, Ian and Lily (Viggo not pictured).
