It's A New Day

Not much news to report on this week. We returned from skiing and Jack from the grandparents and went straight into the inauguration holiday. Lily and Jack had a good time watching the festivities on television and hung out at home all day rather than even thinking of braving the elements and potential traffic. The rest of the week was the normal routine with Lily back in school and Jack with Beatrice.

A bit of a macro look this week as we seem to be focusing on the daily comings and goings recently ...

Jack has completely abandoned crawling since we got back and is now all about walking. He is getting very good at balancing himself and he even bends over to pick things up without holding on or dropping to a knee. He still dances whenever the music comes on and loves hanging out at the dishwasher when it is open. He is eating well most of the time but he seems to front load his calories to the beginning of the day. He is ready for bed when dinner comes around and is pretty much in bed between 6:30 and 7:15 every night. Unfortunately, he has decided that 12or 13 hours are enough for him and he is waking up by 7:30 am these days.

Lily continues to be a fantastic big sister. She loves playing with her brother and making him laugh and does a good job making sure he does not get in any trouble. She thought it was hysterical this week when she went off the bathroom and he walked in following her there a few minutes later. She is a non-stop talker and is starting to really ask all the good "why" questions that four year olds start to ask -- the one's with no answers that can be easily explained - why did Gypsy die? Why is that man collecting money on the street?, etc. One minute it is all princesses and fairies and the next it is real life questions rearing their head. She is doing well in school and she loves working on her numbers and letters and she "reads" her books to her babies every night.

Friday was a big day as Lily and Jack both had haircuts. Lily is a pro now but this was Jack's first trim. It is very short but very cute. He was a good boy the whole time and sat on Marcy's lap which surely made it go easier.

Saturday we went to a local train museum and LIly and Jack had a good time looking at all the models, miniature and life size. Later that day Lily had good time playing games with our friends Andy and Jen after a dinner of her favorite food - Chinese chicken. On Sunday she had a great breakfast out with Grandpa Maurice. She seemed a little disappointed to learn that Jack would be joining them one day in the future and she was not happy to hear that her breakfast buddy was leaving for Florida for a while.

That is all for now. A few pictures and some video ...



An inauguration tea party.


Sharing some crackers while tuning in to Obama's swearing in.


Motoring along on her bike. For those who may worry, this is not a real road but the drive up to the playground.


At the train museum and with fresh hair cuts.


Ringing the train bell.

Thunder on the Mountain

We had a busy week here and are just back in town from a weekend of skiing in the West Virginia mountains. Jack stayed with Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom while the rest of us spent the weekend with friends John, Michelle, Cole and Hayley. A good time was had by all -- Lily and Hayley spent two days in ski school while the rest of the group hit the slopes. Lil and Hayley kept themselves busy the entire weekend playing games and pretending to be princesses.

Jack had a great time with his grandparents and returned home a walking machine. He is practically running now and seems to have permanently forsaken crawling. Lily was happy to see her brother after their long separation and they had fun playing together this afternoon.

Anyway, enjoy the video (pretty funny) and the pictures. See you next week.


Lily in concert. Please note the extensive effort put into the wardrobe.


The little skier in her blue helmet ... bad angle and bad camera.


A drink and some snacks after skiing.


On the right, the second day of ski school.


Stuart and Marcy at the top of the cold slope.


On the way out of the cabin.


On the phone.


Glad to be home with his own toys.

Sick Day

A quiet week here at the ranch. Jack had a bug for part of the week and was not feeling well for part of the week. Then I got a bit of bug mid-week and then Marcy was sick part of the weekend. In between, we recovered from a week away (lots of laundry) and got ready for our first weekend of skiing coming up this weekend. Lily gets on skis for the first time this weekend and hopefully will have a good time. Company from Hayley and Cole should help ease any first ski jitters.

Over the weekend Lily had a birthday party on Saturday and then Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis came over for dinner. Lily and Jack had a good time visiting with her grandparents.

That is all for now. Enjoy the pictures and video ... hopefully we will have some good skiing shots for next week.

Jack, the unwilling prop, in Lily's baby stroller.


Jack taking a break while walking around the sofa.


A serious game of go fish.


Jack with Grandpa Maurice.


Playing with fridge magnets ...


Jack has three fridge toys that sing. Last night he decided to repeatedly turn them on all at the same time. Over and over again. It was pretty funny. And he did his little dance.

Holiday

A Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Fabulous New Year was had by all of us...

We celebrated Christmas Eve with Great Aunt Jenny, Great Uncle Carlton, and cousins Alex, Valerie, Bill, and Liam. Christmas morning Lily woke up to lots of presents from Santa including the jumprope and kite she asked for - Jack decided to sleep in but eventually joined in to play with some boxes, really no interest in his actual presents. The rest of the day was spent hanging out with Grandma Gail, Grandpa Tom, and Aunt Kelly - Aunt Tracy, Uncle Stan and Casey spent Christmas in Roanoke.

Friday night we continued the celebrations with Hanukah with Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis. Fresh made potato latkas were delicious - Jack like them but Lily will have to grow into the taste apparently. Lily and Jack had a great time and loved their gifts.

On Saturday, we headed to Florida to see Bubbie, Great Aunt Donna, Great Uncle Stephen, and Emilie. The plane ride there was pretty uneventful, Jack was a little antsy and wanted to stand most of the flight. We had beautiful, sunny weather, and got in some visits to the pool, playground, and a carnival where Lily rode on her first roller coaster (with Mom). We also took a trip to the beach where Lily collected some shells and dipped her toes in the chilly Atlantic; however, our plan to spend a day at the beach was hampered by some cooler weather - we will shoot for a beach day next year! We also got a chance to visit with Great Uncle Jerry, Great Aunt Eve, and cousin Graeme. On Friday, Lisa (Stan's sister), Dave, Ashlynne, Morganne, and Max came over for a swim, and Lily got in some play time with the girls. Lily definitely enjoyed herself in Florida, making friends at the playground and playing with lots of toys and making art with Donna. Jack took a few dips in the pool, checked out the playground, and took some strolls; however, he most enjoyed 3 hour naps every afternoon - all that fresh, warm air! We returned on Saturday, and Jack was extremely antsy thus he essentially hopped from one lap to another - we are anxious thinking about the CO flight in February! ;) Finally, on Sunday Marcy and Lily went to see the play Miss Nelson is Missing at a local theatre. Lily was pretty terrified of Viola Swamp and the scenes added to the play which were not featured in the book - she watched most of the play holding Mom's hand and looking from behind her hand. I think we will hold off on any future plays for now, we just stick with the ice shows!

Happy New Year!


Matching Christmas Eve pajamas.


Lily spreading Christmas cheer like a tornado.


Showing off some new Tinkerbell threads.


Horsing around after a Hanukkah celebration with Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis.


Jack relaxing on the floor of the plane. He was standing up, then he sat down, then he decided to lie down.


Relaxing in Stuart's old chair.


Lighting the Menorah with Bubbie.


Jack visiting with Aunt Eve, Uncle Jerry and Cousin Graeme.



A photo-up with Aunt Tracy and Uncle Stan's niece Ashlynne and Morganne and nephew Max who came over to visit at the pool.


A face only a unicorn mother could love.


This is the face that you get right before he is about to do something mischievous.