Savage Ice

We took advantage of a beautiful late winter day to catch some late February sun and go skating with the cousins.

Laura and the cousins had a great time. Laura is still using the double runners, but everyone else is on big kid skates.

Daddy, wait up, I'm just getting started. This chair is slowing me down.


Anna kept watch and patiently waited her turn.


Grandma made sure to help Anna get on her feet.


Ella had fun learning how to glide.


Here's Ella showing Laura how to skate,


Who needs a chair?


Not Laura! She's doing it "All by myself!"


To be honest, I just had my hand on him to make sure we didn't collide coming around the last turn, but I guess the judge thought it merited a disqualification.


Laura getting the hang of gliding.


Laura taking a rest. At least the chair is good for something.


The cousin gang on ice.


Did someone say hot chocolate back at the warming house? Zoom, there goes Laura.


Mmmm.



Bonus Features:

Dog days of winter

As the long winter wears on, we are working hard at keeping the kids from getting cabin fever. Laura has swimming lessons with her cousin Sophie every Saturday morning, which she LOVES. We also took the kids to the mall to run around, costco to see REALLY big boxes of diapers, and some time outside to get some fresh air.

Quote of the week from Laura (requires a little backdrop). While she was under the weather, I took her to Barnes and Noble to get a book. She had one in mind: Polite as a Princess. Today we were reading it while we were getting dressed for the day, but Laura was not being very cooperative.
Dad: Laura, you are not being helpful, this is NOT polite!
Laura: I know.
Dad: You are definately a princess, so you should be polite.
Laura: I can't be polite, it isn't in my DNA!

I really didn't know what to say to that. I guess that's what you get when Mommy's a biologist.

Laura with her swimming ponies in.


She's a "Small Fry"


Anna being silly in her high chair.


Sophie and Laura are good pals.

Happy V-Day!

Anna and Laura had a great Valentines party. The actual V-Day was less exciting, as Anna has a low fever and doesn't feel like doing much. Due to that, we've been watching some of the Olympics, and Laura is very interested in ski jumping. I'm sure Emily would LOVE watching Laura shoot off a ski jump.

Here's a variation of pin the tail on the donkey... Pin the heart on the... heart? Looks like they had fun.


Pretty close LJ.


Stacking conversation hearts...


Doh! It fell over.


Anna getting into the party mood by finger painting.


Not too shabby.


Of course, there are cookies. Laura takes cookie decorating very seriously!


Not sure what this game is, but Sophie and Laura seems to be really having fun.


Happy Valentines day!

Winter Fun

Even though it was a bit cool (+15F), I took Laura out on Prior Lake to get some skating in. She really loved it and she did pretty well. She practiced with a chair to help get some balance, and even though she landed on her bottom a lot, she was starting to glide a little!

Push that chair Laura!


The splits were a common occurance. Luckily she has rubber legs and joints.


See daddy, I am starting to get it!


Laura is very focused.


Ok Daddy, I am getting a little cold. Time for some hot cocoa?


No trip to Grandma & Grandpa's would be complete without a visit with Rudolph!


Meanwhile, Anna was content to stay in the warm with mommy.


She's pretty much mastered the remote control.

Hair cut day

The girls got their long overdue haircuts. Laura insisted on short(er) hair (Like Daddy's), so we compromised.

Laura showing off new new haircut.


They even gave her a sucker for being a good girl. (They had Nemo on and she was transfixed)


Laura ate the whole sucker.


We were amazed how much different Anna looks with properly trimmed hair.


"I can see now!!"

Holy Princesses, Batman

Sorry for the delay in blog postings, I was tired of waiting 10 minutes for the computer to bootup, so now we have a clean windows7 rebuild.

The princesses received quite a package today: A whole collection of Disney princess costumes. Pretty much the mother lode of little girl treasure.

A very big thanks to Janna and Jori for sending this treasure chest. It will be put to good use.

Anna grew wings!


Hi Tinkerbell, or whoever you are.


Laura as princess Jasmine, I think. I need to study up on the princesses, I guess.


Very pink, very Laura.


Oh la la, a magic wand. Very handy.


Lil Tinkerbell.


All the little princesses. I think they each wore every costume (that fit).


Being a princess is hard work. Anna needed to relax.

Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Laura was very excited to give us her present. She couldn't wait for us to open it.

Mom and Dad: Photo Courtesy of Laura


To Mom and Dad:


A snow globe! What a great present. A nice picture of Anna.


And of course, Laura.


Of course, there is the present from Mommy and Daddy. Santa came by later too, but this one was from Mommy & Daddy.


"I get good loot!"


We start 'em young in this house. Anna's mastering the mouse.


Sesamestreet.org, of course.


Little girls want to be good to make sure Santa has them on the 'nice' list. Here Laura is swiffering the floor:


The magic of Christmas morning