Thanksgiving Dinner

We ended up haivng dinner at McCormick and Schmick's in the Annapolis Mall on Thanksgiving. The kids had grilled cheese (see above), mom had seared tuna and dad had the traditional turkey dinner. After wards we went and played on a merry-go-round in the mall (see above). We figure this was our last year to have a "wing-it" Thanksgiving meal because next year the kids won't let us get away with this. It was a nice Thanksgiving but I think I can speak for both Tom and myself in saying that it just wasn't the same as the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with family. We hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!

Chocolate Chip Pancakes + Macy's Parade

One of our family traditions that started last Thanksgiving was eating chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Last year we ate them on couch and this year we thought, hmm, now that we have 2 that are wiggling all over the place, eating chocolate chip pancakes on the couch is going to be much more messy! So, we opted to move the girls' chairs out to the livingroom in front of the TV while they ate thier pancakes. Lelia was all about it, Sedona not so much...what's wrong with her?! Still, more pictures to come...

Our Little Native Americans

We had a blast Thanksgiving morning making Native American headresses. Daddy was still asleep when we made them and the kids went into his room making Indian noises. Daddy had as much fun as the girls did. More pictures to come...

Goofin' off with Daddy

Make-up Artist

I left Lelia alone for a few mintes and she had colored her lips with blue marker. I hope this isn't a symbol of her make-up choices as a teenager :) These sorts of things are the little things I am going to miss as she gets older...so I'm trying to enjoy the silliness now.

A Fun Friday!

We had such a nice day today with friends. We ran into friends at Target for an impromtu girls lunch with the Cantor girls. Followed by naps. Then a visit from Lelia's future husband David. Both sets of parents and both children believe marriage is in the future! We would be honored to have the Entwisle family as in-laws. hahaha :)

Leliaese

One thing I have wanted to do for some time now is write down all of the funny words Lelia has said as she has been learning to speak. I think this will be something she really enjoys looking back on as she gets older. I will add to this list as time goes by...

• balo = water
• apiza = please
• nunk = milk
• le bleu = blue
• chicken = kitchen
• sherbas = eyebrows
• tweenieweenie = tortellini
• picca Jack = Grandpa Jack

Counting with M&Ms

Lelia loves choclate and is learning to count, so what better way to encourage her to learn her numbers than counting with M&Ms?! The hard thing was getting her to say the numbers before she popped one into her mouth. She did pretty well overall. We both had a lot of fun doing this together. Oh, and I enjoyed a few M&Ms too :) If you have any other ideas for 2 year olds learning numbers please pass them along.

Family Traditions

I am reading Treasuring God in our Traditions by Noel Piper and it has given me so much to think about and take in. I want our kids to know how much they are loved by God in the everyday things that we do. The most important thing I can do for them is to be a dependable present mother for them. Easier said than done when kids are up in the middle of the night, we've had a tough day of disciplining or more selfishly, there is something I just want to do more than be here. No where is more important for me to really be. I have the privileged task of discipling (teaching) our children to become adults. That's a scary thought. As I stay at home I learn more every day that I have so many faults to overcome. There are days when I'm sure God must have been looking the other way when I got pregnant just to have him look back and go, oops, I let that one slip by; I guess these two are going to be entrusted with lives to watch over. I know that isn't true. I know God doesn't miss a thing and because of that, I know he will equip me if I choose to seek Him continually. I choose to seek Him! More rambling thoughts to come on as I read through Treasuring God in Our Traditions....

Halloween

My two Sleeping Beauties. The costumes were home made by Mim (Tom's mother) and the girls loved them! It was the first thing Lelia asked for the day after Halloween. Thank you so much Mim for taking the time and making the effort to do something so fun for the girls. We love you!

Some Cute Pics

Our Day with Papa Toomey

This was one of those days where we had to get out of the house before we all went nuts! We needed to buy some pants for the girls and where better to get them but the outlets near Papa Toomey. Clearly the girls were so happy to be spending the day with Papa (see picture). He baught them cinnamon pretzels at Auntie Annes, got them a few items of clothing and to top it off, got them a chocolate milk shake that they ate before lunch. Who's ever spent time with granddad and not gotten spoiled a bit. It's the way it should be! We all love spending time with my dad! It is clear that he loves spending time with us too! We love you Papa Toomey (Dad)!

Daddy's Birthday (late September)

Our Trip to the Pumpkin Patch (September)

Sedona's 1st Birthday (1.5 months late!!)

Here's the birthday girl, turning 1 and devouring her cake. She did just as well as Lelia did last year! Happy birthday, Baby!

Clearly Lelia enjoyed a little of Sedona's cake too :)





Sedona saying "baaaooo" also known to most as "balloon".

Lelia's 2nd Birthday (2 months late!!)

I am embarrassed to say that these pictures are just over 2 months old! Yikes...clearly I have been busy thinking about lots of other things. Her birthday with Papa Toomey was on her actual birthday, August 28th and her birthday party at Chick-fil-a was on the following day. It was wonderful to celebrate her 2nd year with so many people who love her and our family. Thank you to all of you!!