End of January

Celebating MLK Day in a Box

Home alone all day with Claire and Lise... What to do? What to do? I know... I'll go downstairs and bring up a cardboard box and they will love it.

And so they did. All morning was spent in their "castle," in their "car," in their "ice cream store" and in their "little hideout." Of course that didn't mean I was free to do as I pleased. I had to be the king, the driver, the ice cream buyer and of course, the seeker (they were the hiders, obviously).

In the afternoon the crayons came out and they started drawing graffiti on the inside of the box.

So, for all those who are facing a day home with kids and wondering what you're going to do... get a big box. It'll get you through the day.

Selling ice cream and taking money.

Welcoming the customers.

Down below.

Up above.

More fun.

Static

Friends visiting

Here are a few pictures of the girls playing with Mackenzie when she and her parents came to visit after Christmas. They had a blast and we're already planning a camping trip together somewhere in between our homes this summer.

Happy New Year!

Ok, so it's been 2011 for so long that I'm actually remembering to write 2011 instead of 2010. Oh well, they never said anything about when the thought that counts has to happen, right?

Here are a couple of pictures of the rest of Christmas time - lots of fun for everyone! Claire and Lise especially enjoyed getting to play with their cousin Elsie and give her tons of hugs.

Then, after Christmas a good friend and her husband and family stayed with us one night on their drive across half the country - with an 18 month old... in winter. Luckily they had great weather and easy (mostly!) travels and it was great to see them. Pictures of that visit will follow soon! (hopefully)

Happy new year everyone!

Merry Christmas Eve!

It's been a very white Christmas here in Dubuqueland, with snow coming down all day and probably putting us at nearly 25 inches of snow for December. After lots of time spent playing inside and out, Claire and Lise are nestled, all snug in their beds, with visions of sugarplums (or not!) dancing in their heads. Before Kate and I settle down for our long winter nap, we figured we'd share some pictures from last week's Christmas celebrations and today.

Lise, advertising for LL Bean water bottles, a great gift from Nana!

Claire, demonstrating her dance moves in her new pink skirt, courtesy of Pa and Grandma Fran.

Lise, entranced by Claire's princess wand.

The girls, celebrating Christmas Eve.

A surprise visit from the color-coordinated uncles and their funny shoes.

Claire, Lise and Will shovel, for the third time today.

The merry shovelers

Lise enjoys a Christmas cookie.