Happy New Year from Sadie and Helena

We wish everyone the best for 2009! We love you all!

Happy Holidays!

Sister Love
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

We hope everyone had good holidays. We had a lovely Christmas Eve and Christmas with Bob-Bob, Nana, Auntie Lauren, Uncle James, Auntie Kara, Almost Uncle Kyle and the great-grandparents. We've also enjoyed several nice nights of Hanukkah, including latkes with Isaac, Naomi, Laura and Andy. We'll also celebrate Hanukkah again in January when Grandma, Grandpa and Jenny come to visit.

Nellie is now rolling in both directions and is getting very mobile. She is trying to crawl, but only succeeds in moving herself backwards. She is quite efficient at moving away from the thing she wants, which makes her very angry.

It's good to be home again and finally getting unpacked and reorganized.

Snow!

Snow!
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

We have about 2 feet of snow on the ground here and Sadie is delighted. After school yesterday, she really wanted to play in the snow. Of course, it was dark and very cold, but she was undeterred.

This is on our deck. If Sadie stands in the snow, she sinks into it to waist height. The snow is very powdery, not good for snowmen, but luckily, it's relatively easy to shovel.

Congratulations Lauren and James!

Sadie loves to dance
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

We had a wonderful time at your wedding! We wish you lots of happiness in the years to come.

Important Conversation

Sadie and Abby talk to Santa about dolls
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Sadie and Abby are talking to Santa about dolls. Santa was very patient listening to the girls. I was eavesdropping on them and heard Sadie explaining to Abby about her Little Mermaid bath doll, a special birthday present from Grandpa.

Annual Holiday Party

Sadie and Nellie
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Saturday night was Dan's annual department holiday party. We all had a great time. It's nice to see everyone and there are always lots of children around.

Sadie enjoyed the food, dancing and seeing Santa Claus. She wasn't scared of him at all this year. He gave Sadie a nice paint with water set and a cute rattle for Helena.

Helena ostly enjoyed playing with the overskirt of her dress. She was mesmerized by it and kept trying to put it her mouth.

Note: It is proving to be very difficult to get a photograph of both girls looking at the camera, let alone both girls smiling.

Countdown

Joyful
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

In less than a week, Auntie Lauren and Almost-Uncle James wil be married. We're getting very excited for all the celebrations. Sadie is practicing her "flower girl walk" and Nellie is practicing her sitting quietly and not squealing.*

This weekend was busy, with two fun holiday parties, but this week looks nice and calm, which is great. the only special activity is Mommy's annual Hanukah visit to daycare. We head down to Concord on Thursday afternoon for the big event!

*Actually, she is not working too hard on the sitting quietly. Luckily, Grandpa and Grandma will be around to keep her from disturbing the wedding!

Hat Face

bonnet cutie
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Here's a picture of Helena in a cute hat. We're expecting some gross winter weather this afternoon, tonight and tomorrow, so I thought a nice, cozy hat picture would be just perfect for today.

Helena, 5 Months Old

Helena and Mommy
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Helena was five months old on Sunday. She's getting to be a big girl! Some new things for her this month include starting to eat some solids (cereal, applesauce, carrots) and doing lots of rolling. She is beginning to sit very nicely on her own.

She and Sadie are great friends. In the morning, they are so excited to see each other and daycare reports that whenever Nellie catches a glimpse of Sadie, she is full of smiles.

With Sadie's birthday finished, we are getting excited for Lauren and James' wedding, Hanukkah and Christmas. December is going to be a fun and busy month! Sadie and Nellie will get to practice wearing fancy dresses at Daddy's department holiday party this coming Saturday.

Birthday Party

Sadie had her fourth birthday party yesterday. We had lots of fun. Thanks to all the friends who came to celebrate with her, and to Nana and Bob-Bob who came to celebrate and help out.

Museum of Natural History

Museum of Natural History
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Or, Museum of A Million, Zillion People Who All Want to See Dinosaur Bones. Do not go to the Museum of Natural History on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It will be extremely crowded and chaotic.

Luckily, Sadie was not particularly interested in seeing dinosaur bones so when we saw how crowded the dinosaur exhibits were. she was fine to go find some other exhibits that were less busy. This in in the Hall of Aztec Peoples. We are copying the pose of the statue.

We also had fun looking at African Mammals, seeing the Live Lizard and Snake exhibit and the Live Butterflies. Sadie started out very nervous that a butterfly might land on her, but she relaxed and enjoyed seeing the beautiful creatures up close. Nellie seemded to enjoy the museum as well. She took a very long nap!

Sadie is Four!

Happy Sadie
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Happy Birthday Sadie! Today, you are four years old. We can hardly believe our baby girl is so grown up. You are learning so much and doing so many new things. We are so proud of all that you are: sweet, loving, funny, friendly, imaginative, smart and so happy.

This year, you learned to write your name and lots of other words. You are starting to read and spell. You can ride your tricycle all over. You help us with lots of stuff around the house. It's always fun to be around you.

You are a big sister now and Helena is so lucky to have you. She loves you so much and you love her too. We love to watch you two play together.

We're so happy that you are part of our family and we wish you many, many more happy birthdays.

Happy Birthday Jenny!

Happy Birthday Aunt Jenny! We love you!