mid-February

Claire and Lise were both asking to go to bed by 6:30 this evening. That means we've got time to do stuff, like post pics from the last few weeks.

Lise went through a "no pants" phase a few weeks ago.

Lise decided that the tongue was a necessary part of every photo one day.

We got shoveled out after the blizzard thanks to the kids. (That's Sydney from across the street on the right.)

Lise digs a tunnel...

...and Claire bravely crawls through.

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!