Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow....

We headed outside last night to enjoy the snow! We had a blast! Enjoy the video!

Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas this year. We spent time in Cincy, Dayton, and our own home. Emma was able to wake up in her own home this year. It was darling watching her walk down the stairs and her smile when she saw the presents under the tree. We talked a lot about how it was Jesus' Birthday, and during Church she almost had a melt-down because she wanted to see the animals that were a part of the manger scene in the church foyer. Kate likes looking at the lights and is a perfect little angel.

The best presents that John and I could ever ask for!

Emma has mastered opening gifts! Santa got her a trampoline, new clothes, a soccer ball, a new signing time video, big girl undies, and a few other toys. After she would unwrap each gift, she would say "open dis Momma" - too cute!

Little sister got some practice with opening gifts too! She liked to eat the paper too!

Only Emma's personal stylist, Aunt Bec, would buy her designer shoes for Christmas!

GG feeding Kate some cereal. She's really getting the hang of it. We'll be moving on to veggies very soon!
Emma taking a ride on Great Grandpa Weatherwax's walker. She thought she was hot stuff!

Emma and James got matching Mustang power wheels! Now they have cars just like Papa Zinser! They even had t-shirts that said "Papa's Racing Team." It was a riot watching her buzz around - I can only imagine what it'll be like in 2024 when she gets her driver's license!

"No Thank You Santa"

The girls' school had their annual holiday open house tonight. We've been reading about Santa, talking about Santa, singing about Santa, so I thought that when we'd go meet Santa - Emma might do a little better this year...NOT! She was terrified, again! Oh well, we'll keep trying. On the other hand, Miss Kate enjoyed meeting Santa for the first time! Enjoy the pics!

Deck the Halls...

How cute is this?!?!

Emma loved helping decorate the Christmas tree this year, and she loves turning the tree on and off. She'll say "pretty lights Mama" as we drive by houses and she's singing "Jingle Bells." It is going to be a fun Christmas!

Cereal and Cheeeeeeese!

We were blessed to be able to spend Thanksgiving with both of our families! We drove the "Ohio Triangle" between Cbus, Dayton, and Cincy. We had lunch with the Weatherwax's and dinner with the Zinser's. I am so thankful for my precious children, my loving and supportive husband, and for my gracious family and friends. What's not to love about a holiday that surrounds itself around eating!!

With all of us stuffing our faces, we thought Kate would like some food too! Here is Kate having her first cereal. Can you imagine going from an all liquid diet to solids? Its quite an adjustment for a baby! We're still working on it...

Here are a couple of Emma's 2 year photos. Maybe if she gets her Daddy's height, she'll be a super model. Look at the poses that Emma struck! Work it little girl!

Baptism

The girls were both baptized on November 15th at St. Brendan's Church. Deacon Jim performed the baptism and both girls did well. Emma's Godparents are Kim and Jim, and Kate's Godparents are Rebecca and Grandpa Z. Kate wore the same gown that I wore when I was baptized, and that made it very special.

Kate 4 mos update

I thought that Emma was a laid back baby, well that was until we had Kate. She rolls with the punches and is very content! She is a little smiling machine and she's talking and starting to blow bubbles. She's trying to roll over but her behind is not allowing her to do so :) I wonder where she gets that from?!?! Everything is going into her mouth, and she'll get a pretty good grip on anything she gets a hold of! She's sleeping like a champ, and she loves her thumb. We'll probably be starting cereal soon!

Daddy's response to Emma saying "Kate eat pretzel." She loved the salt!

Kate 4 mos stats: 17 lbs (95%) and 25 inches (50%)

Emma turns 2!

Yes, our sweet Emma turned 2 on November the 6th. These past 2 years have flown by, and she never ceases to amaze us. Her smile could light up a room. Her laugh is contagious. She's the smartest, cutest, and most precious thing ever - yes, we're a little biased! We enjoyed a nice evening home with the family. Her day started off with a party in her bedroom!
She sang "happy birf-day" to herself - too cute!

Here's our new Betty Crocker! G&G W gave Emma her very first kitchen, and Aunt Donna and Uncle John completed the gift with a darling apron/hat/mit set! She could play for hours. And yes, she's wearing heals while she cooks...She's going to make some man very happy someday!

Emma's 2 year stats: 34lbs(97%) and 35 inches(90%)
Her projected height based on her 2 year eval - 5'10!

Happy Halloween!

The girls and the pumpkin
We traveled to Bryan, Ohio to visit our dear friends The Elden's this year for Halloween. Emma and Parker are 1 mos apart, and Mason and Kate are about 4 mos apart. We decided to go with a Wizard of Oz theme this year. We had a wonderful visit.

Our Tin-girl

Our candy-loving Dorothy

Moved In

Yes, and "there's no place like home." Our family has definitely appreciated this statement over the past few weeks as we've moved into our new home! We officially moved into our home October 24th. It was a smooth (but busy) transition. Dad W has been our general contractor. Dad Z was our super mover. Both of our Mom's helped by packing/unpacking, cleaning, bringing food, and providing much needed emotional support! Rebecca was our personal organizer. Kate just rolled with the punches and she enjoyed spending time with Aunt Bec. Emma went on a mini-vacation to Aunt Kim's. She loved going to the pumpkin patch and spending time with her cousins. We couldn't have done it without our family.

Some of our new neighbors stopped by to welcome us! This is about 3 feet from our window!

Kate's 3 Month Pictures

Rub-a Dub Dub

Kate and her thumb
Step 1: Clean Kate then clean Emma. Emma is Mommy's little helper!
Step 2: Wrap girls up in their towels, apply lotion and get PJs on.

Step 3: Everyone gets on our bed and we watch Wonder Pets before going to bed!

Crazy week!

What a busy week! John and I closed on our house this past Monday. Its a great house, and we are excited to make it our home! John and his Dad, our personal contractor :) have been busy already! We have possession of our current home until 10/25 - so we have our work cut out for us! On Wednesday, I headed back to work - tear, tear, tear. I am blessed to have such wonderful ladies to take care of my girls. The same ladies who took care of Emma are now with Kate, what more could I ask for? Both girls adjusted beautifully, much harder for me. John is a huge help in the morning, and teamwork is our key to success!

30

Yes, I ventured in to the big "three-O" and haven't looked back! :) On Saturday we celebrated at Buca di Beppo with the whole family. It was a fun night out! And then on Sunday, we celebrated with a Bengals win over Pittsburgh! The best gift - we sold our house in 2 weeks!

12 weeks already!

Hooray! It's time for the Bumbo!
Big cheeks = Big smile
Kate is doing so well. It's hard to believe that she is already 12 weeks old! She is starting to talk and she has a great smile! Her hair gets fuzzy from her moving her head side to side, and she gets what I call "nappy knots" or a baby form of dread locks! She will be starting school on Sept 30th and I will be heading back to work. I had a touch of "2nd child syndrome" and I forgot to post her 2 mos stats: 13 pounds 10 ounces and 22.5inches

Go Bucks!

I had to post these pics of the girls in their scarlet and grey!

Welcome Rachel Marie!

Laura welcomed a little girl Rachel Marie on August 23. She has longer eyelashes than her big brother Luke - seriously the longest lashes I've ever seen! John and I are excited to be Rachel's Godparents. We rigged up this self portrait - not too bad!Kate and Rachel - 8 weeks apart. How quickly they grow!