Merry Christmas!

Tis the season...

...creative indoor play! 

I'm reminded again, especially at this time of year when I'm looking for new toys, games, ideas for my girls as gifts...the toys, games and ideas that truly capture the interest of most every kid are so simple.  For Meredith and Eliza Wren all you need is a big ole cardboard box, music and imagination... :)

And...click through to see this post of Eliza Wren dancing!

trains at the morris arboretum

We had a fun jaunt to the Morris arboretum this past week to see their holiday train display.  It was a very chilly day with a high of 22F (eeps!), but we layered up and managed to stay there about an hour. :)

Leah and her family joined us for the last half and the girls had a fun time romping in the snow together!

They were thrilled to be able to help carry some trains back to the repair shop for the kind train engineer. :)

We'll be back for another visit soon!

Snow!

Our first snow of the season!  We've had two beautiful snow days this week!  It started snowing on Sunday, just after we arrived home from church before lunch.  And, it kept pouring down snow until late in the afternoon - so beautiful!  

learning the snow angel technique

 Meredith and Daddy went outside to make snow angels and then joined some friends for sledding.  

A few friends came back home with them to warm up and have hot chocolate and popcorn. :)

Then, early Tuesday morning we got a beautiful wintry storm and it snowed for nearly 8 hours!  We braved the cold temps and pouring snow to play with neighborhood friends again.  I learned that having a 1 year old who crawls and can't keep on gloves/boots is a tough combination with snow. : p

just love these kiddos and their sweet friendship!

Christmas Tree!

Last weekend we drove northwest just over an hour to our favorite Christmas tree farm.  Erik and I discovered this sweet farm buried in the beautiful countryside when we were first married.  We've gone a few times since and this time we took the Sinclair family with us for their first tree cutting experience - yay!

It was a gorgeous day for a romp around the Frazier firs :)

 hello, crunchy snow!  

 Eliza Wren was taking it all in...

Matilda enjoyed the ride too!

We found a little one to bring home.

2013 Thanksgiving (a bit late!) :)

We had a splendid Thanksgiving this year - once again with our friends the Sinclair family, and Jane's folks and brother were in town to join in as well.  Celtic Sea salt in and on the turkey made it juicy and tender and we enjoyed a variety of delicious sides. :) 

So fun to have a full table!

Wee Matilda had her first taste of food on Thanksgiving, since it marked her 6 month point!  She loved turkey and sweet potatoes. :)

Leah kept climbing up on Meredith's Grandaddy's lap throughout the day.  So sweet... and Meredith was happy to share her Grandaddy with her friend. :)

During tea and dessert the guys had a competition with block structures - how many blocks could balance on one block before it toppled.  I think the winner broke 200!

Baby girl friends - just 6 months apart!

October Visit #3

Robb (Erik's college roommate, and RA pal from Wheaton) came to visit us this weekend.  He was involved in a wedding nearby, so we enjoyed moments with him in between his wedding festivities.  So fun to reconnect and hang out again.  Meredith was a huge fan of another guest staying with us, as always. :)

The weekend also included naps for various family members...

 And, we attended the Harvest Festival at the nearby Henry Farm in Philadelphia.  

Meredith had her first experience feeding goats and sheep.

 Baby Ellie was tucked in and "sleeping" during the whole adventure!

Next up - pumpkin painting!

and, finally - a chance to sit on a real tractor!

October Visit #1

We just finished a full 10 days of guests visiting and staying with us.  It's been busy, but oh-so-good!  First to come were Granna and Grandaddy for 4 days.  Lots of fun times together with beautiful autumn weather!

Late-night applesauce making extravaganza!

 Soooo yummy and soooo pink!

 picked our own home-grown pumpkin :)

 evenings around the firepit

a jaunt to the beautiful Morris Arboretum on Granna/Mom's birthday

"Let's run, Granddad!"

 a baby woolly caterpillar :)

 homemade apple pie for Granna/Mom's birthday

 and, a beautiful stroll on Forbidden Drive and duck feeding 

Fun times!  No wonder Mer said, "I want Granna and Granddad to stay at my house for a long, long time!"