Feeling Thankful

This year I am especially thankful to be spending Thanksgiving with family. We are in Ocean Shores, Washington having so much fun with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins!

My brother, his wife, and Dagney:  

Kent and Emmet:

Uncle Adam and Maddie:

Dagney:

Me and my girls:

Maddie and Ethan on the Big Slide

Children's Day

Today we attended the first annual "Children's Day of the San Fernando Valley." We met up with some of our best friends there, and enjoyed a couple of hours of fun, fun, fun. Madeline loved the giant slide and every ride she went on. Sophie didn't want to go on any, but she did make sure none of the kettle corn went to waste.


I wanted Sophie to go on this ride with Madeline, but she resisted. How funny was it that the little girl that ended up riding in front of Maddie had on the same shirt and the same hair clip, just in a different color.

Rides, Rides, and More Rides

Sophie's Perception

Sophie deemed all the rides "too scary" for her liking, but she did enjoy the fall leaves and some climbing.

A Few More Pictures from "Children's Day"

A rare picture of everyone together.  The mommies are relieved and happy that it is time to go!

Oatmeal

I have found the way into Sophie's heart: oatmeal. It's not that she's not a morning person, it's just that, like the rest of us, she doesn't like to be awoken from a deep sleep and rushed through her morning routines. Usually, there is a decent amount of protesting/crying in our house from 6:30 am until 6:50 am, as this is the time when I wake Sophie up, dress her, and try to talk her into to eating something. But this week, all of that changed. I found the answer to our peaceful morning prayers in oatmeal. Sophie loves the stuff and will happily be hauled out of her crib for a nice warm bowl. She even spoons any oatmeal remnants out of her bib after her bowl has been emptied.

Goats and Sea Lions

We went to the zoo today with the rest of LA. I guess we all had the same idea. We didn't cover too much ground due to the crowds and Sophie's desire to walk, but we did make it to the petting zoo (We haven't forgotten about our goats, Daddy!) and to see the sea lions get fed.

Kettle Corn

Since we go to the zoo so frequently, I have had to set up some guidelines for Madeline; she is aloud to have one treat. The treat can be a ride on the train or something special to eat or drink. For the last 3 visits, her treat has been the same thing: kettle corn. Of course, she shared with Sophie.

Sunday Entertainment

On Sundays Kent monopolizes our television and laptop computer with his football game stuff for about twelve hours.  The girls and I try to entertain ourselves with other things.  This Sunday we spent some time painting with watercolors.  Sophie had fun and did really well.

Election Day: November 4, 2008

Kent and I took the girls to the polls with us to vote today. It was cool and blustery out, perfect November weather. 


Maddie with Mama's sticker and a mouthful of goldfish crackers. I hope she will remember her civics lesson:

Sophie preferred Daddy's arms to the stroller on the way home. She was unimpressed with his sticker:

Halloween, the AM

Madeline wore her Dorothy costume to school for a Halloween parade. Although I had to work, Kent took the morning off to watch the school festivities and to take pictures for Mama.  Thanks Daddy!  How adorable does she look?

Halloween, the PM

Trick-or-treating was a great success! Both girls really got into it, and now have pumpkins full of candy to nag me about at nauseam. Madeline was Dorothy, and Sophie went as a princess. I couldn't get her to wear the tiara, but other than that, no complaints!

Pumpkin Carving, 2008

This year's jack-o-lantern was completely designed by Madeline. It turned out too scary for Sophie!