He knows when you've been bad or good

Yesterday we ventured out into the white wonderland. While it was snowing. We like to live on the edge.

We got Zoe dressed in her best Christmas attire. An "I heart Christmas" shirt, some snowflake jeans and her Pooh shoes. We jazzed up her pig tails with fancy Christmas colored ribbons. We were set.

We're ready to meet Santa Claus. In person. At the mall. Who knew that was his hang out.

On our voyway there we asked Zoe what she was going to ask Santa for. She had all sorts of answers and ideas.

I don't think our questions really prepared her for meeting the man in person.


The song never mentions anything about being totally freaked out by the man in red.

Winter Weddingland

In this kind of weather you ask yourself, what could be worse than over 2 feet of snow? Having a wedding scheduled for two days afterward.

My dear friend Amber scheduled her wedding for yesterday, December 21st. Thursday, during the snow storm, we had much crying and worry.

The wedding went off without a hitch. It was a smaller crowd, but it was lovely. Amber was exquisite. The wedding was romantic. Zoe was totally charming.

She danced. She twirled. She gave a toast. I think she's finding the spotlight home.

Amber and Chris - we wish you a lifetime of happiness, a deeper love and all of God's richest blessings.

Fun with mom and dad

Last week was N's finals, so he no longer has school. This translates into him being home in the evenings with us. It is so wonderful to be able to have dinner as a family and have some time to just be parents to Zoe.

She's growing so fast that it's nice to be able to share her milestones with N. Last night I think she said "for sure" and "it's a deal."

Because she has to earn her keep around the house, she helped me with the floors.


Then she gets to play with daddy. We love how strong he is!

We got a few inches

Yesterday the weatherman predicted Winter Storm 08. We were going to get 15 inches between 1:00 yesterday afternoon and 10:00 this morning.

Around 10:00 yesterday morning it started.

It. hasn't. stopped. Not even a little bit.

We have at least 24 inches. It reaches the bottom of our living room window in the backyard. Our BBQ (that we didn't get to put in the garage last weekend) is almost totally buried. It's still coming down. Hospitals have cancelled surgeries. Stores are closed. You are required to have chains to drive through downtown.

So we're having a snow day.

Because we can't go anywhere. Our cars won't clear the snow.

What do you do on a snow day when you have 2 feet or more of snow?

You get on your snow suit and go play!

This is her snow chair that she refused to sit in. It's actually more like a snow throne.

Playing in the driveway. Helping us clear the snow, one snowball at a time.

Since N shoveled before bed last night, the fresh snow in our driveway is only about a foot deep. We dropped Zoe into it and took a picture. If you enlarge it you'll see that she's trying to catch a snowflake on her tongue.

Don't mind the outhouse in the back. It's only for emergencies!

The girl loves her some snow. She eats it and puts her face in it. She knows no fear. Guess it's time to have the "don't eat yellow snow" talk.

More pooh on the shoe

I have a bit of a shoe addiction. I've been known to participate in activities that require me to buy shoes. Like tap dancing, hip hop classes, spinning and socializing. A girl has to be prepared with the right kind of footwear for all types of situations.

It has been a little disheartening to watch Zoe not love shoes. She would prefer to be barefoot that have shoes or socks on her feet.

Until these:


You thought this was another post about poop on your shoes. Gotcha! We're talking Pooh, as in bear. Not pooh as in don't ever fly through LAX.

Zoe loves them. She will hug them, kiss Pooh's nose and scream when you have to take them off.

Unfortunately she has a hard time walking because she's always doing this:

Chocolate from California...YUM

The girls got a package in the mail this last week. They LOVE packages.

Inside we found Avent calendars from Grammie and Grandpa. The girls LOVE them. Especially because they have chocolate inside.

Thank you Grammie & Grandpa for the cards and the calendars. They were a huge hit.

O Christmas Tree, how bare are your branches

While I was pregnant I opted for a fake tree. I didn't think I was going to be able to shimmy under a real one at 6 months with child to water it. Especially since they die about 3 days after you get it.

Or, if you're my friend Dena, you get a tick infested one! I feel SO bad for her.

This year I realized that I have a toddler. So this is our tree. Only about half decorated. The bottom half includes plastic ornaments that bounce really well on the kitchen floor. Plus the garland that D made over Thanksgiving.

It's our very own tween tree. 1/2 child friendly, 1/2 adult.