Saturday, December 31, 2011

New Year's Eve

Almost 60 degrees in December! We took a lovely walk near Mimi and Poppie's house.





Then we drove to a very special NYE party...





...with our best friends! Sophie thought of making these really cute snowmen out of marshmallows.











Stephie and Sophie did lots of art projects.


Joe Cool was there too.


Daddy read some books...


...before a delicious dinner with great friends.


Happy new year! 2011 was a great year for us! Looking forward to 2012.

Friday, December 30, 2011

St Louis Zoo

We arrived in St Louis late last night and were at the zoo this morning when it opened. First we visited the children's area:


What is this interesting species?!?











Stephie was on a quest to see the giraffes.


We ended the morning with a ride on the carousel.



Thursday, December 29, 2011

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Monkey Bizness to get the crazies out

 Don't be glum, girls...

 ...Bobo has a great place for you to burn off some steam.


 Snack time!



 And still time for a few (homemade) books before naps.  What a great day!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Long-lost friends

 Cami and Ava are off on winter break which meant the girls had a pretty awesome play date today!


 Ending of course with lunch for all.  Stephie was an extremely happy girl today!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Santa Purse (by Grandma Julie)

Santa Purse  (to the tune of Firework by Katy Perry)

Have you ever had something really grand
Something huge to you. You hold it in your hand.
A thing so wonderful, it makes you feel secure,
Gives you such confidence
Can open any door.

Have you ever had something so really right
That you keep it with you
through the day and through the night.
Just to look at it, makes  you feel so great,
You can hardly wait.

You never want to
put it down,
just hold on tight.
all through the day
 and all the night

Cause Baby, it’s my Santa purse
Come and see its colors burst
See its sequins shine so bright, bright, bright
As they twinkle in the light, light, light.

Baby, it’s my Santa bag
When I lose him it’s a drag.
My parents travel near and far
When I pitch him from the car, car, car.

I have never had something so very fine,
Something I love so much it is only mine.
Stephie had him first.  She gave him to me.
Made me feel so good, as happy as can be.

Have you ever had a thing that’s really yours?
Something so very nice, something that you adore
When I think of him, he just makes me grin.
I can only win.

Sparkly bright,
 I hold on tight
Feather hair
I take him everywhere.

Cause baby, it’s my Santa purse
When I lose him it’s a curse
Not just for Christmastime, time, time
I still use him in July,ly,ly.

Baby, it’s my Santa dear
I am happy when he’s near.
I really love him so, so, so,
Never want to let him go, go, go.

Red and white
I can hold him through the night, night, night
He is getting all threadbare, bare, bare
He is losing all his hair, hair, hair

Cause, Baby, it’s my Santa purse
Come and see his colors burst
See him sparkle in the light, light, light
He is such a pretty sight, sight, sight.

Baby, it’s my Santa purse
Mommy says that he’s looking worse.
Beautiful to me, me, me,
Makes me happy as can be, be, be.

My best friend
I will love him ‘til the end ,end, end
He is mine
And I think he’s just divine, vine, vine.

A few more Christmas highlights

 While the cat's away the mice will play!  Stephie and Haley made stockings with the grandparents.

A few more views of Macy's downtown:


 The first gift of the season: a bell from Mimi and Poppie.

 We're going to Disney World!
 Handprint ornaments by Stephie and Haley.
A wonderful holiday for all!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!!!

 Stephie was VERY excited to peek down the stairs to see if Santa visited our house.
He did!  He even left a note!
 Opening gifts with Daddy.
 Pink, purple, and red headbands, as requested.
 Reading a book made by Mommy.
 A new kitchen to share!
 Merry Christmas to everyone!!!