ski and apres-ski

We finally got some snow. This was at 7:45 am on Monday morning when things really started to pick up.

We all got bundled up.

Went for a little hike.

Ate a little snow.

Did a little sledding.

Ate some more snow.

And went back to the lodge to lounge in our apres-ski wear.

pretty in pink (and eiffel towers!)

I finally finished Alison's duvet cover. It turned out really cute and she loves it! And now she has covers to sleep under. I couldn't get her to sleep under a blanket before this.

Andrew wants in on the fun too!

some lost posts

I found some pictures from January that I don't think I ever posted! I know, how dare I! We were gone most of January and then have been sick most of February, but I'm turning over a new leaf.

Andrew and Alison both love playing with their new kitchen they got for Christmas. I think it's pretty cute.

Alison is no longer in Nursery at church - she's a big girl Sunbeam!

I just liked these pictures. This was at the airport on our way to Utah. She looks like such a Hello Kitty jet-setter. She informed me today she only likes pink. I tried to put a red shirt on her and she was not interested.

And here's a video of a cute giggly boy in his green striped baby legwarmers. They are cute!

I'm starting an online photography class on Monday. I'm hoping the quality of my pictures will improve!

some updates

I've been so busy taking care of sick kids and updating my other blog (to keep me motivated and productive) that I've neglected pictures of the kids. Plus we just aren't outside as much and I hate indoor pictures - the light it usually terrible. But here are some fun ones of late.

Alison strking a pose with her cute preschool friends.

Andrew getting ready to pounce daddy.

The reason why I have so few pictures of them together. He was just unhappy - and still sick. He's doing much better today. Alison just couldn't look up because the sun was too bright.

Enjoying his new big-boy car seat!

Finally. He doesn't have to use a pink towel anymore!

Andrew is no longer crawling. He is a full-time walker and it makes me kind of sad. This has happened in two short weeks and I barely noticed. I will miss seeing his waggley crawling bum down the hallway. I hope I got a video of that. He cruises around the house all the time now.

feel the love

where did she come from?

Grandma Jan has her convinced she's an angel. After seeing this picture - I just might start believing it too.

i'm walking!!

here's the proof.

And aren't those legwarmers delicious!? Okay, so I think Andrew has it figured out that he gets to stay up later than Alison. We put her to bed and then he becomes this amazingly happy funny adventurous little guy. It's like he looks forward to it. Tonight we kissed Alison good night and he said "nigh nigh" without prompting. And then he was giddy-smiley. Like he knew, "hey I got you guys ALL TO MYSELF". That's when I get the best video of him.

Look who's ONE!

Andrew is one! I can hardly believe it. And it's as if he knew it and started walking all over the place this week. Here are a few shots from his birthday party.

He liked the candle but the idea of blowing it out was lost on him a bit.

He liked the cake even more.

He prefers not to get his hands dirty.

Sorry, no frosting mug shot. But he does have crumbs all over his face. We had a delicious apple cake. No frosting necessary.

I'm not so sure Alison really wanted to 'help' him as much as just do it herself.

So he just zoomed off pushing the box along. We probably could have just given him an empty wrapped box!

Uncle David came down to celebrate. I have a picture of him from Alison's first birthday and she's holding a phone too.

What a happy birthday boy!

I took him to his 1 year well baby check today and he's 29 1/2 inches and 20 lbs. 11 oz. Time to get him a forward facing car seat! Oh and I finally got him to sign all done and please today. When he's not cranky he'll sign milk and more.

nursery rhymes

Alison reaps the benefits of Grandma Suzie and learns all sort of nursery rhymes when we visit. This is one she learned yesterday.

Christmas Morning

Nick gave me a new little point and shoot that fits right into my pocket, which is great! Plus it takes videos. So I realized that I didn't really take that many pictures on Christmas but I have some fun videos. I'll have to see if any of them are short enough to put up here.

Now that Alison is going on her 3rd Christmas, she is a pro. Here she is sporting her new apron and playing Santa's helper, passing out the presents.

Andrew is getting a head start on his oral hygiene, that Santa knows just what to put in a stocking!

Alison is posing here with two presents. The red kitchen in the background - I'll have to take a better picture of it with them in it - and the ball popper, which was actually Andrew's present. I think that's why she has this look on her face. Like she's getting caught playing with someone else's toys or something.

What?? More dress up stuff? The shoes are my favorites.

Pre-Christmas Activities

A lot of smiling.

A lot of Andrew eating. He fed himself here, can you tell?

And some delicious sugar cookie eating.

We interrupt our regularly scheduled Decemeber recaps

to bring you a Public Service Announcement on tooth brushing.

A birthday weekend for our 3 year old!

As is to be expected with a birthday so near Christmas, Alison's birthday weekend was filled with parties, parties and more parties.

She got her face-painted and our neighbor Maddie's birthday party. They are just one day apart!

Then we were off to the Slater's annual Christmas party with Santa.

When we were on our way to see Santa Alison kept saying, "I don't need to cry when I see Santa, he's nice!" When we actually got there, she looked a little apprehensive. Luckily, Andrew broke the ice, and didn't cry. But definitely looked inquistively at the man in the red suit.

Then Alison climbed up. Just about the time Andrew was done.

And since it wasn't busy, she got to sit on Santa's lap and cuddle for about 5 mintues! Lucky girl. She asked for a red kitchen (upon my suggestion, wink, wink).

On Sunday night we got together with Grandma and Uncle David and we sang happy birthday and blew out candles,

ate some delicious PINK cake and ice cream.

and opened some presents. 2 favorite books from my childhood, Richard Scarry's Busy World and Madeline.

Then on Monday, her actual birthday, she started by "making" cupcakes,

Blowing out candles with her friends,

Opened MORE presents!,

played the role of the Birthday Princess (furry pink backpack NOT optional),

And managed to decorate and eat a few gingerbread men.

Phew! That was a busy weekend. And that was only the 15th of Dec.! No wonder I'm still tired.