Happy New Year 2010

Happy New Year's everyone. We had a low key celebration on December 31st, in the morning. The zoo holds a noon ball drop so we headed over to enjoy the festivities. It was very cold outside so we decided to stop by the rainforest part of the zoo, an inside facility and not many were there. It was very nice to be so close to the animals without the crowds. We just hung out and checked out the monkeys, gorillas and turtles. Very cool! I can't say enough good things about 2009 but, am wishing for another great year in 2010! Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Looking at the monkey's but, also checking out her own reflection!

Watching the big gorilla eat some leaves off a trea branch. Notice the unbuttoned shirt...I forgot to snap it before I left the house. Opps!

Just a cheesey smile....

Waiting for Radio Disney to come out and party!

Christmas 2009

Christmas morning I was downstairs ready for the big reaction for Santa coming. I had the video camera ready to go. No reaction but, it was fun! Dawson came down the steps, checked out her cookies and milk and was happy that Santa saved some for her. She immediately ate the leftovers as you can see in the picture below....She didn't even pay attention to the presents!

Next, she looked at the presents with a little coaxing. Her Diego Animal Rescue house was put together on top of her presents and she loved that. In fact, she loved it so much she just played with it and didn't notice anything else again!

With a little more coaxing, we got her in the groove of opening presents....

She loved these Duplo blocks...they made a castle!

She got a book she really likes called "On the Night You Were Born." If you don't have it yet, go buy it. It's very sweet!

And one of her favorite gifts of all, a digital camera. I will save her beautiful pictures and post them another day. It's quite interesting to see the photographic eye of a two year old!

We had a wonderful Christmas and are still enjoying all of the new toys!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Ice Skating

Today we headed down to Columbus to visit my sister and the kids for Christmas . If you don't know her family, my brother in law played professional hockey for the Montreal Canadians and my nephew is playing minor league now at age 17. So, my sister dug out the old hockey skates that all her kids used at age 2! They felt it was time to get Dawson on skates!

Well, Dawson wasn't real sure about the ice. She cried when we went out on it and kept lifting her feet. Eventually, she put them down a little bit at a time. When she got off the ice she said "I went skating." When we asked her if she wanted to go again she said "next week mom!"

My sister and Dawson starting to skate.

Lifting up her feet...

Waiting to go on the ice...

Having a snack with Breea and Grammy!

Cookies

We finally got around to making some cookies yesterday. Traditionally, we make our cut outs at Grammy's house. They are much too hard for me to do alone! I hate rolling the dough! Dawson had her own rolling pin and got right to work. She is quite the kitchen helper these days. Not usually with me but, with Grammy!

Rolling the dough...

Stopping for a snack break. She found a bag of grapes close by and dug in!

Sprinkling the cookies...

I wonder if these cookies need some more sprinkles? This one doesn't have too much yet!

I decided to give her a few presents early so she could enjoy them without being overwhelmed. This is from her Great Aunt Kathy and Great Uncle Ric. She loves this dog but, gets a little mad when he falls over while she is taking him for a walk!

Off they go on a walk. She is so serious with her pets! Thanks for the fun toy!

The Polar Express - Year 2

We boarded the Polar Express yesterday afternoon and headed to the North Pole. All dressed in our pajamas, with our Grammy and friends (Lynn, Kyle and Grace), we were off for a magical train ride to the North Pole. Our ride started off with the Elves reading the story followed by some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies, just like the book. About an hour later we arrived at the North Pole. We wiped our steamed up windows and saw Santa, Frosty, Rudolph, some carolers, elves, the Grinch, and many more North Pole people. It was fun looking out the window and seeing everyone but, Dawson instantly commented "Where is Mrs. Claus? I quickly responded that she was at home making cookies. As the train began to head back home, We had a guest visitor..SANTA. He came in our car and greeted each child and gave them the first gift of Christmas, a bell.

Here is our train headed toward the station for us to board!

Dawson just got on the train and decided to check out the window and see what was outside. Not much was out there as we were sitting at the train station!

As we arrived at the North Pole, Grace and Dawson wiped the windows so they could see. They were so cute wiping away.

An elf stopped by to visit us and as you can see, Dawson isn't too fond of elves!

Grammy and Dawson enjoying some popcorn together!

If you know the story, the conductor stops by each child and punches in their initial on the train ticket. Here is the conductor punching a "D" for Dawson.

Our two girls just peeking back at the other kids on the train.

Hanging with Santa but, not too happy about it. I just cut myself out of the picture. You can't tell that Dawson is hanging on to me for DEAR LIFE!

On the ride back, everyone was getting tired. She started to lay down and just enjoy the ride. As we went to bed last night Dawson asked me "Is it Christmas?" I said "Not yet but it's coming soon." She responded, "OK, I will go to the North Pole tomorrow and get it for us." (meaning Christmas). How sweet!

Holiday Fun With Friends...

Yesterday, we spent the morning at Lynn's house with Grace, Aimee and Mayna, enjoying each other, eating lunch and decorating cookies. A wonderful time was had by all! I couldn't believe how busy the girls were just playing independently. They each tend to do their own thing with a few interactions here and there. Typical two year olds! As for the adults, we also enjoyed chatting and a delicious lunch by Lynn.

Painting the icing on the gingerbread man. Check out the focus!

A close up shot of the decorating. I love those little hands!

Mayna and Grace decorating. Such beautiful girls!

Band-Aids.....

All I needed was a few minutes to change and fold the laundry. When I came out of the laundry room, this is what I found.......

She was very methodical on her Band-Aid placement. It's hard to tell by the picture but, she put one on each part of the table that was sticking out. I'm thinking about some Band-Aids for her stocking this year!!! We do need to replace our stock of them!!!!