Yesterday Andrea, Ahleah and I were on our way to the car to go to go to daycare and Andrea wanted to walk in the snow. When she stepped on it it cracked and broke. It had rained after it snowed and the rain has frozen forming a nice thick layer of ice. She looked at me in wonder and said "There is glass on the snow Mommy" She is so cute. I explained that it was ice like an ice cube only bigger. From the rain that fell.

With our first real snow of the year Ahleah was amazed at the sight of her backyard covered in a cool blanket of white snow.

I love this picture of Andrea. If you look closely you can see ice on the tree branches.

There is lots of snow outside and no school today! Andrea was playing in the snow while I shoveled our sidewalk. She loved her time outside even though it was cold. She looks so cute in her snow suit...Her favorite part of playing int he snow is throwing it.

Here is the video if Andrea playing in the snow!

They just love their NANA!

Nana came to visit today after visiting Grandma Snyder. Andrea was so very happy to see her Nana. Nana lights up Andrea's face every time you speak her name. Andrea asks for her all of the time. I only wish that they could spent more time together.

Ahleah is beginning to bond with Nana. She is quick to warm up and loves to flirt and act bashful. She actually gave Nana several hugs while we were playing in her room.

I am so happy that my children have such a wonderful grandmother!

Today Ahleah is in a great mood. Despite the illness and ear infection that she has been suffering from. She has not been eating at all and is drinking very little. She has been to the doctor twice and he says she will be fine. For the first time Ahleah climbed on to her ride on toy. She was just so cute as she figured how to move those chubby little legs. She managed to lift one leg high enough and slide right on. She has not figured how yet to move the toy once she is on it but she is so very happy that she managed to climb on to it . Here is a video of Ahleah sitting on the ride on toy!

Here is Chris with our dogs in their sweaters. They just love to snuggle.

I lov e these pictures of me with the girls! Chris took them today and I feel so very special to be their mother.

I wish that I had more time to spend with my children. Not so much in quantity but in quality. I am realizing that my baby is 11 months old and growing very quickly. Today was the first time I noticed that her belly is not a round as it once was and she getting taller. these observations may come from her toddeling around and babbeling, as if I understand every word from her sweet little mouth. I love her so very much and I am not ready for her to grow up. Andrea could spent all day smiling and playing if she never had to put anything away she would be even happier. I wish I could sit and play with her for hours. I feel like I can listen to her soul while she is playing. She is such a kind hearted girl with a free spirit. She has the best imagination. Today she was playing with marbles and rocks and the cardboard from the inside of a box and calling it her project. She had me look at it at least 6 times and each time she had changed a small piece of it. She was using Ahleah's plastic keys to lock it so the rocks would not fall out.
I just love these children so very much and I cannot imagine what life would be without them! They have filled my heart and life with so much love that it overflows into everyone that sees me especially when I talk about them. I am so lucky to be their mother.

I can't believe how quickly time passes. In the past week Ahleah has really gotten good at walking. She toddles around allover the place. She usually is waiting for me by the door when I arrive at her daycare. Then when Ahleah sees me she freaks out and shakes the gate. She can actually get the gate open if she stands on the right side of it. It is so cute to watch her scurry to me and get so excited for the love of her mommy.  

I just wanted to post quickly the adorable comment that Andrea said to Chris. We were driving int he van and Chris was annoyed at the speed of the driver in front of us and Andrea says"Life is Rough Daddy" I died of laughter. This is the perfect example of me coming out in Andrea. I love her more each day! She is cute, and funny,and spontaneous, and I could go on forever! 

Yes this is a car on top of her head! It was once an Easter Basket ...Now it is a car hat! 

Happy New Year!

We spent the new year sleeping. We had to pack for our return from AZ our flight was scheduled for 7:35am and we will not miss another flight!!

I have had the most difficult time making a resolution this year! I didn't make one last year.

 

Christmas in the "Sunny City"

We had a fabulous Christmas with Chris's dad, sister and brother in law! Despite missing our flight on Christmas day and spending all of it in the airport (12 hours). We managed to catch a flight on the 26th and did not arrive until 11:30 pm. We had a great celebration on the 27th. The girls received lovely gifts from Poland and many toys and clothing too! Both girls love giving gifts and assisting in the opening of all gifts. 

Andrea loved most from this trip...

"Picking oranges with Grandpa." (grandpa's house)

"Watching the bobcat be fed." (Desert Museum)

"Walking in the really, really cold water." (Sebino canyon)

"Playing Dr. with the kids." (Tucson Children's Museum)

"Hitting grapefruits with oranges." (grandpa's version of bowing, using fruit)

"Swimming in the pool." (at the hotel)

"Opening all the presents....wearing the Cinderella dress that grandpa gave her"

I think that Ahleah's favorite parts of the trip were...

-meeting Grandpa, she gave him so many smiles

-opening presents, eating wrapping paper

-the dog that sings Feliz Navidad and shakes maracas

-swimming in the pool

-trying to eat orange's with the peel on

-learning how to walk

-chasing Grandpa's dog Charlie he wouldn't let her touch him

Chris and I both loved the time we got to spend with family and having Christmas in person. 

When we visit next we hope to see Sabino Canyon and the Desert Museum again and enjoy more of the desert and outdoors.