Moving and Changing

When I did that Christmas post in early January, I had no idea that would be my last post on this blog.  I knew I couldn't keep it up forever... but I also knew I wanted to be able to share pictures with friends and family, and I wanted to be able to create books with those photos.

I finally finished Anabelle's baby book, and I used a company called Shutterfly.  The book came out great!  (Note to grandparents:  You will be receiving the book in the mail by the end of the month.)  Shutterfly has a "share site" where I can post pictures for anyone to see, and then when I want to order prints or create a book, the photos are already uploaded so I save a lot of time.  It seemed like a good fit.

This is the end of this blog.  I have really loved working on this blog for the past 4 years, and sharing photos and stories through more than 200 posts, and I will now take a moment of silence to mourn its passing.



.    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .



Well then, now that I have paid my respects, I introduce you to my new site:  http://vitaandanabellesphotostream.shutterfly.com/

It's so easy for me to instantly post pictures and videos, even from my phone!  I think that will result in more frequent photo sharing on my part.  You won't have the narrative commentary, but you will have the pictures.  I have already uploaded over 20 pictures and one video from the last month.  Also, please note you don't have to create a Shutterfly account to view the pictures.

Thanks for sharing this blog with me.  It's been fun!
XXOO,
Jenny

Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve was a day filled with anticipation. We baked chocolate chip cookies to leave out for Santa, and we set out some reindeer food, too. Vita wanted to put a sign out to make sure everyone knew the food was for Santa's reindeer. After all, we didn't want the regular neighborhood reindeer to eat it.


When the girls woke up, there were presents under the tree and the stockings were filled! Santa ate his cookies and the reindeer ate their food too! Santa even left a note to say thanks for the yummy cookies.




The next hour or so is just as blurry as these photos. Vita walked timidly to the tree and looked to see which presents had her name on them. Anabelle ran to the tree, grabbed a box and ran off with it. Then she used the boxes to climb onto the couch. We managed to get a few blurry pictures before the gifts were opened. Don't you love the morning hair?


We had both cameras going, so the girls are looking in different places, but we couldn't get them to hold still for long so we gave up on pictures and let the girls open presents.


We came up for air for some candy canes, then went back in for more. This pony was Vita's favorite gift from Santa, and she named her "Pink Diamond".


Vita also got this great castle!


Anabelle loved her presents too, including this bear.


The next day we dressed the girls up in Christmas outfits in anticipation of a visit with Mema Joan and Grandpa Bob. While the girls waited for the visit, Vita rang Christmas bells and drew pictures (with a Santa apron on to make sure she didn't get any marks on her white shirt) and Anabelle played "dragon attacks the castle". I love how different their personalities are already!

Vita ringing bells...


Meanwhile, Anabelle attacks the castle.


Vita drawing pictures...


Meanwhile, Anabelle plays with the dragon and makes "roaring" noises.


Finally, Joan and Bob arrived and we posed for some pictures.

After playing for a while, both girls were exhausted and fell asleep.  Anabelle woke up before Vita and went to the beanbag chair to wake her up with a hug.


Mema Joan and Grandpa Bob brought Christmas gifts, and it was like Christmas morning all over again.


We played with toys, and Anabelle played with a box.

The rest of the week following Christmas we have spent in recovery from all of our varying illnesses.  Despite the beautiful sunshine, we've been cooped up indoors resting... but having fun playing with new toys, and even rediscovering some of the old toys.


The musical toys in particular have been a big hit.


I've been walking in on many scenes like this one.  Whenever I think it's too quiet, and I worry the girls are up to something sneaky (as is sometimes the case), I see they are both focused on intense play.

On our last day before taking the Christmas tree down, we let the girls go nuts... playing with the tree and the (non-fragile) ornaments.

On top of all of the gifts from us, and from Santa, and from so many friends and family members near and far... you would not believe what we got for FREE on Craigslist.  I mentioned in my last post that we needed a constructive outlet for Anabelle's love of climbing.  Well, the mothership has landed and is all set up in the backyard.  This Little Tykes play structure configuration retails for over $600 and I cannot believe someone gave it to us for FREE.  The look on Anabelle's face here sums it up... "whoa".


In this picture the two pieces of the play structure are separated (as Ernie might build a bridge from one to the the other) but they also can be put together so they are a single structure.

As you see, our cup runneth over and we have are so fortunate and we are filled with happiness and gratitude.  There is just one more thing our happy little family could wish for, and I am hoping that 2012 will be a healthier year for us, with fewer colds, coughs, flus, fevers, sick days, and trips to the emergency room.  

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

The Days Leading Up To Christmas

These days we're keeping very busy as we prepare for the upcoming holidays.  We've had cold but incredibly sunny weather for several weeks, and we realized we haven't been to our favorite park since Anabelle has been a proficient walker.  It's so much fun to walk hand in hand.


Anabelle climbed all over the play structure and loved going down the slide.


We need some more constructive outlets at home for Anabelle's love of climbing, as you can see.  We ended up scoring a great Little Tykes play structure for FREE on craigslist, which has yet to be assembled.  Unlike the bigger one we already have, this one is perfect for little kids Anabelle's age.  Can't wait to get it set up!


Vita has been enjoying lots of time doing arts and crafts, and in particular is refining her abilities with scissors.



We also had a visit with Ernie's sister Jennifer and cousin Dan.


We had a great time, despite the fact that Ernie was sick.  We let him sleep it off, and didn't let that stop our fun.



The girls LOVED being pulled around the house on a blanket.  To this day, any time Anabelle sees this blanket she jumps on top of it, and gets upset if you don't take her on a ride around the house.


Later on we started a nice little fire.  Vita helped chop up some kindling.


We snuggled by the fire, and talked about Santa Claus coming down the chimney.


Vita is so excited about Christmas, and I get the sense she's starting to think it's taking so long that it will never  really come.

So close, Vita.  

Just two and half more days...

Vita's Pirate Birthday... Arrrgh!

This year for her fourth birthday, Vita had a Pirate Party!  Ernie and Grandma Victoria got there early to set up.  Here's Ernie guarding the park.


As guests arrived, each got a pirate hat, patch, and inflatable sword.  Then, Vita would escort them to the ship.  (The park actually has a pirate ship themed play structure, which is why we chose this location.)


A couple of real pirates attended the party!  Here's Captain Mike playing with the kids.


Lots of Vita's friends from school came to the party.  Here's one of Vita's very best friend Cleo!  They have so much fun together!  The reason Vita is a little blurry in this photo is because she was actually in mid air, jumping for joy.  Seriously, she is.


Captain Mike led the kids on a very exciting and dangerous adventure...  Mike found an ancient scroll with a clue that led to a treasure chest hidden at the park.  (Amazing coincidence, don't you think?)  Each clue led the kids to the next clue...


The kids really had to listen closely to solve the complicated riddles and find the next clue.


They were great at it, and here they are re-grouping at the bow of the ship where they found the next clue.


The next clue was at the statue...


The final clue was at the water fountain...  which led them to...


The hidden treasure chest, which was found in the shrubs near some trees! The treasure chest was filled with "goody bags" filled with pirate related stuff for the kids, and some chocolate.  (If you think this picture isn't well composed, then I suggest YOU try to get a pirate and a whole gang of kids to look and smile at the same time.)  Look closely at Vita's face in this picture, and you'll see her cheeks are about to explode off of her face.  She had SO MUCH FUN!


Meanwhile, my other little pirate was in good spirits the whole time, despite the noise and commotion and the cold weather.  In fact, she wanted to run and play with all the older kids.


After the treasure hunt, we all had pizza... sang happy birthday, and ate pirate cupcakes.  Vita beamed as her friends sang to her.


The party took a bit of a turn when we realized that Vita was actually a brain eating zombie pirate!  (Or perhaps she's just a bit messy when eating red velvet cake... I can't remember the details.)


Soon it was cold and dark, so we headed home with all of Vita's "loot".  Vita made out like a bandit.  She opened one gift that night, but we waited until the next morning (her birthday) to open the rest.  Just look at this haul!


Moments later, gifts were unwrapped and Vita played with everything all at once.


Mid afternoon, Vita crashed from all the excitement... with toy and birthday card in hand.


Later on, with Vita's birthday celebration behind us, Christmas preparations officially began with lights and a Christmas tree.

PS - Many many many thanks to my pirate friends Mike and Jackie for making this a very special birthday celebration that Vita and her friends will "treasure" for years to come.