Let's go......

.....to the movies.

Sofia and Jake's first "big" movie.

We went to see "Tangled" in 3D.

Sofia's room

Sofia's room got a makeover this Christmas as well.

Her very own Charlie Brown tree

complete with not one but

TWO

Snoopys.

An infusion of new books.

And snowman sheets.

Decorating

This year, Miss Sofia got very involved in the whole decorating process.

Music boxes were wound and listened to.....over and over again.

When Clyde and I were first married, our very first set of ornaments were a set of twelve that we ordered from the TV Guide from "A Charlie Brown Christmas".

This year, Sofia loved watching it and can name each character.

She decorated her branch.  All of the ornaments were bunched up together.

We didn't tell her.

Somehow, they miraculously redistributed themselves after she went to bed.

Christmas is magical in many, many ways.

Our finished tree.

Every year, I think we have the most perfect tree ever.

This year was no exception.

Friends finally!

It has taken three years

for Sofia to figure out how to sit still

and Jeeves to give her a chance.

Looks like it is going to be mutually beneficial.

The Last Bird

Several years ago, we were given a beautiful birdhouse advent calendar. Each day leading up to Christmas has a door, and behind each door is a bird who comes out of their hidey hold and sits on a perch.

Last year Sofia got quite a kick out of pulling the birds out of their spot. Each one got a gentle kiss and was set out on their perch.

This year with another year under her belt, and a little help from her father, this beautiful tradition has turned into quite another story.

Don't get me wrong. She loves it!! The first thing she says when she wakes up is "We have to do a bird". 

And then this is how it goes......

We position ourselves on the arm of the couch to get the best access.

We locate the appropriate number and tell Mummy and Daddy

"Now close your eyes!"

Then out comes the bird.

Not all birds get a kiss this year. 

I am not sure what Sofia's criteria is for being on the receiving end of one of her sweet kisses.  

......only she knows. 

Now this is where the story starts to go a bit awry.

When the birds come out this year, apparently they are a bit hungry (after all, they have been hibernating for a whole year) and need to eat some of the berries around the top of the house.

And of course, Sofia's daddy couldn't help himself and told Sofia that if the birds ate too many berries, they were going to poop everywhere.  

Why yes, you might recognize this face as the one where she knows she is going in to do something yucky, but oh so funny to a very almost four year old.

And yes.....it was this funny every morning.

Finally, well fed and pottied, perhaps with a kiss.....or not

the bird finds it's way onto the perch.

This morning, thank goodness, we did our last bird of the season.

Merry Christmas Eve to all.

Family Photo

Some of you may, or may not, remember our attempt at a family photo at the 

Singing Christmas Tree last year.

Not such a huge success.

Girlie was upside down......ugly beige wall.

You get the idea.

This year, not much of an improvement.

For starters, the girl decided that she wanted to squeeze into the same dress despite having a beautiful new one in her closet.

At least she stayed "upside up" as she says it.

There was no opportunity for the three of us, in something other than sweats to be photographed together.

But there were a couple of good ones.

Needless to say, for those of you who receive Christmas Cards from us,

the photo will be one of our very favourites from during the year.

It seems that a nice family photo just isn't our style.

Thankful

As always,

we have ever so much to be thankful for....

For our families who put up with us without complaint.

And for good friends who put up with us too.

For joyous smiles.

And for a stunning if somewhat cold day to do something good.

For an extra 30 pounds so I didn't have to feel so guilty about seconds.

And for just being together

We have so much to be thankful for.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

(just a tad late)

Thanksgiving...... Snoopy Style

Last weekend we got together with some friends for a little Thanksgiving dinner

Snoopy Style

We watched the Peanuts Thanksgiving movie and then Sofia and Lilyana showed off their coloring style.

There was popcorn, and pretzels and jellybeans.

Of course, those pesky adults insisted that the kids eat a real meal as well.

Then the kids got to make Turkey cupcakes.

Meg demonstrated proper turkey cupcake technique.

Good form Jake.  I know where he got this from.

Ahhhh yes, the concentration of a three year old.  Gotta get those tail feathers just so.

Each kid made their very own prize turkey.......

.....and then there was nothing else to do but to dig into some Turkey butt.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Eggnog

Look who's discovered eggnog!

Papa....you might want to put a lock on your refrigerator Thanksgiving Day

there's going to be an Eggnog Monster in your house.

Smilin' in the Rain

This photo was snapped by Grandpa Robin

while we visited him in San Francisco a couple of weekends ago.

Sofia might have been smiling because she got to use her umbrella for the very first time this year.

Maybe it was because we were on our way out for lunch in one of the greatest cities in the world.

Perhaps she knew about her plans to jump in a mighty puddle.

And, undoubtedly it had something to do with seeing Grandpa, who she adores.

Who can really know for sure.

What we do know though, is that she is just plain adorable in this photo,

and there was absolutely no way we were going to lose sight of her dressed in this little number.

More Fun

More photos from the Pumpkin Patch Picnic.

I really have nothing more to say about this day

than I wish I had a good camera

and I wish I knew how to use it.

Because even I can recognize that

a stunning landscape,

and a dramatic sky,

plus the most adorable kiddos

with precious smiles

makes for good photos.