Catching Up

Well, there's no good excuse for my delinquency...but it has been a busy time! My laptop ran out of memory and I FINALLY got my new desktop. Not to mention a few trips back east and an awesome two weeks with GiGi in San Antonio...

I'll try to give you the quick version of our last couple of months - but we've been doing so much fun stuff, I don't want to leave a thing out...I promise not to get so behind again....

In case you don't make it to the bottom...WE LOVE YOU DADDY!

Photo Highlights....

Today

The girls and I went for a morning stroll at the Canyon Government State Park up the road - it was beautiful. The girls were all dressed up in their "wedding" dresses so we could try to get a holiday card photo.

After our visit to the park, Emma and I had a special "big girl" afternoon in downtown San Antonio. We went to the Lila Cockrell Theater to see the Nutcracker...Emma LOVED it. She was captivated the whole time. She looked absolutely adorable in her dress from Tanya's wedding. I told her she could pick out one souvenir, so she chose an ornament of Clara cradling the Nutcracker - she didn't let go of it - not even when she fell asleep in the car on the way home. We stopped off and picked up our Christmas tree - we can't wait to decorate it tomorrow night.

Saturday, December 6

We had a busy day! Off to ballet with Nessa, then back home for a little playtime before heading over to Lackland for a special holiday party for families of deployed airmen. On the way to base, all three girls fell fast asleep in the car. We were a little late for the party, but the girls were happy and my purse (finally) got organized - a win all around. The party was an interesting experience for me. I think I'd been able to separate myself from things living in my little bubble in Alamo Ranch, so it was a wake up call / reminder to see all of these mom's (and a few dads) with their kids knowing that their spouses were gone, too. I'm still trying to figure out if it made me feel better or worse.... Chip came to get Nessa a little while later and the girls put together a lovely tea party for us. They are growing up so fast....

Friday, December 5
The girls and I went to pick Nessa up from school shortly before noon and we took a little field trip to the Botanical Gardens. It was a beautiful day, though a little chilly (relatively speaking). The girls had so much fun running around the gardens, watching the trains, "feeding" the ducks (assuming they like to eat dirt) and checking out the treehouse exhibit. At one point, there was a bride getting her photo taken - Emma and Nessa were enthralled, it was so cute. Sophie spent the entire afternoon trying to keep up with the big girls and I must say, she did an admirable job. How could they resist as she ran after them calling their names? She's getting so good at names now - she's got all of her classmates names down - the first one she learned was Jackson, then Lindsay. She has this sweet lilt to all of her words and she smiles from ear to ear when she says them....Just melts my heart.

November 30

Today was holiday card making day. It was messy but fun. I will have sparkles in the kitchen indefinitely - just need to get them out of the house before daddy gets home....

November 28

To think that I even THOUGHT of getting the girls up and taking them shopping for the early bird specials. They just slept. It was so good for them, they'd been going and going. Around 10:30, we took a quick swing over to ToysRUs to get things for the kids that they sponsored at school - a baby for Sophie's classes student and a basketball and gym bag for Emma's. We also learned all about Toy's for Tots and Emma picked out a toy which we donated. The girls were so funny - in the morning, Emma dressed in her Cinderella costume with a yankees baseball cap (which she wore out) and Soph brought along her Hello Kitty purse. For our afternoon run, Emma wore a witches costume, complete with the hat! Needless to say, we were pretty popular all day - no thanks to me!

November 27

Emma was my big helper this morning, she helped me make two apple pies and to dress the turkey. She took such joy in all of it. Soph joined in the fun, cheering Emma on as she massaged the bird and sneaking in a few bites of our apples as we put the pies together. Early in the afternoon, Scott, Jessica and Tyler came over. The three little ones made headpieces with feathers that Jessica brought over. Too cute. After eating, the girls and I drove to Alamo Heights and spent the evening with Wendy, Chip, the girls and Wendy's parents. It was great. I ate SO many deviled eggs and had my first fried turkeys. All the girls wanted to do was to play...

We have so much to be thankful for. Wonderful family, amazing friends, so much love in our lives....

November 26

We left school early today so we could go buy a TURKEY! And who did we get a call from on the way into the store? DADDY! Hooray. We love you daddy....

November 23

We headed back to San Antonio today. It was hard to leave the cousins, especially since we aren't going to be back for the holidays, but we need to just be home for a bit...we are so lucky to have a family as special as ours....

November 22

Today was Elizabeth's First Communion. I stayed at Renee's with Soph and Ricky while Emma went with the big girls and the Meister's to church. Emma and Pop Pop Meister totally bonded - she even took a little snooze on him and went to communion (sleeping all the time). There was a great party afterwards - four families got together on it, they even had a DJ which the kids loved. The dancing was definitely the highlight, especially Sophie running into the middle of the floor and doing the chicken dance...I couldn't get to my video camera in time, but it was classic. Emma even knew one of those line dances - the Macarena for the new generation - how do they know so much, so young?

November 21

It SNOWED! The girls loved it. They ran around mom and Dallas' yard before we headed over to Renee's in time to get the kids from the bus stop. One of Elizabeth's friends told her that if you put your pajama's on inside out and put a spoon under your pillow and went to sleep that it would snow more, so Elizabeth, Emma and Ricky tried it - with all three of them on the same bed! Unfortunately, no snow the next day...

November 20

Emma's first visit to the dentist - Gumpa. She wasn't so sure about the chair at first, but she caught on quickly - she has perfect teeth - wish I could be so lucky!

November 16

Back to Philly with two tired girls! We stopped by the Shenkman's for lunch with them, Amy and Maddy, Stephanie, Becky and Erik. The girls did not want to leave but we had to head off to mom and Dallas' to have dinner with Chad, Ruth and Maddy and the cousins. They were all playing together so well - it's awesome to have such wonderful family and friends. We are truly blessed.

November 15

Wedding day! A ride in the limo with the bride (only an hour late - beat my record!) Emma and Soph (and mommy) walked down the aisle. Sophie and Uncle Simon bonded during the mass (a short one, I might add). Then off to the Capitol for photos. Emma and Reilly came along for the ride (Sophie continued to bond with Uncle Simon until she "soiled her nappy" and he sought out a female willing to change it!). After dinner, the girls joined me for some dancing - they were amazing, so much fun. Another late night....

November 14

Soph and I went to Old Town to get my bridesmaid's dress fit while Jen and Emma went to the Willard to get their nails done. We dashed to the Ritz in Tysons, changed and were off to the Rehearsal in Arlington. Sophia loved the big pool of holy water - she doused herself in it! Emma became fast friends with Reilly, another of the flower girls. They had a great time at the rehearsal dinner until Emma fell asleep in Jen's arms. Sophie kept at it til the bitter end!

November 13

Drive to Annapolis...met Aunt Jen and Uncle Simon - the boys (Simon, Jen's brother and father) watched the girls so Jen and I could go to Tanya's shower. An experience for all!

November 10

On our way to Philadelphia...

November 9
An afternoon of painting (both paper and selves...)

November 6

Dinner with Wendy, Nessa and MacKay

November 4

Gigi had to leave, headed back to NY; Election Day - historic! Wendy, Nessa and MacKay sleep over...

November 2

Church, Wurfest in New Braunfels

November 1

Ballet, Downtown, Alamo, County Line Bar-B-Que on the Riverwalk, Boat tour - uh oh, lost keys!!

October 31

Happy halloween! The girls got so much candy! They dressed up as a sweetie little bunny and the beautiful Snow White... It was a busy day - the Halloween parade at school, Gigi and I went to Lackland - Gigi loved the planes - then trick or treating. The neighborhood was awesome. It's a little like Pleasantville...everyone is so nice here and everyone was out. Soph took a nose dive - I'm hoping the scar will go away some day - I swore she'd broken her nose. We spent the evening walking around with Tyler and Jessica, then caught up for a bit with Brayley, Ashely, Bronson and Luis....two tired little girls tonight!

October 30

Poor Scott got his tonsils out so Tyler came over to spend the day with us...the girls loved it, they had so much fun. Tonight we had the Halloween party, it was awesome. We had nearly 40 people over - we had games (bobbing for apples, a pinata - my little pony at Emma's request), LOTS of food, we did crafts (colored ghords, decorated bags) and frosted cookies and cupcakes. I forgot how much I love entertaining...when you're back, we're going to lead the social charge in the neighborhood!!!

October 28

Dollar Store with GiGi (Emma was a total hoot when she dressed up - the photo speaks VOLUMES)

October 27

Hung posters for party, Emma rolled her first grape leaves with Gigi

October 26

Church, Thai lunch with Wendy, Chip, Nessa and MacKay (and Gigi - her first Thai meal!) Ft. Sam Houston / Commissary; trick-or-treating "practice" at Jim and Mary's

October 25

Ballet...the Gym (mommy's getting in shape!) and the Lebanese Festival at St. George Maronite with GiGi. The girls loved the dancing - emma was demonstrating her own version of belly dancing....

October 24

Pizza and movie night

October 23

Baking banana bread with Gigi and mommy

October 22

Braylee, Bronson and Miss Ashley joined us for dinner and some party planning...we are getting excited! The girls were giving ballroom dancing a try - next stop, Dancing with the Stars.

October 21

Gigi arrives for her first visit to San Antonio

October 20

Getting ready for Gigi's visit

October 19

Emma got the short haircut she's been wanting! I was nervous at first, but she looks SO cute and is so happy, it's perfect. Of course we had to take a walk to show Brayley the new do....they look like twins now!

October 18

Ballet...fall festival at Ft. Sam Houston with Wendy, Chip, and girls

October 17

Return to San Antonio...we'll miss the family, but not too long before we'll be back!

October 16

A day with the cousins in Abington...Emma loves to pick her cousins up at the bus stop. She's counting down the days until she can ride the bus!

October 15

A day of fun at Grammy and Gumpa's...complete with hammock rides and walks in the woods.

October 13

Dr. Lloyd's with our cousins. Play date with Marijke and Drew at Alverthorpe.

October 12

Breakfast with Amy and Maddie (the Siegel / Metzger clan)... and a show with our cousins....

October 11

A day at the Pumpkin Patch with the Meister's and the "family" Halloween party at Aunt Nene's. Soph was definitely the life of the party....

October 10

Last day in New York...we had dinner with Aunt Steph before heading to the train - it was a little crazed - nothing like the Rangers crowd to get things going... Uncle Craigie, Elisabeth and Ricky met us at the train station in Trenton - Emma could not have been happier! We love our cousins.

Two for One

Yesterday and today have been busy days! I'm just trying to keep up. It's an interesting time to be in New York - especially in the financial district. Another down day for the financial markets - the Dow has dipped below 9000 points. Yikes...

Tonight we went to the Gold Street Diner with Daria and Miss Magda. So much fun (and mommy burned lots of calories chasing Sophie...)

Grammy's girl getting her snuggles...

Emma and Aunt Steph

Emma and Daria

Hey YOU!

Mmmmm....COOKIES!


We LOVE YOU DADDY!

Another day in NYC

One of daddy's favorite buildings...the New York Stock Exchange...it's a pretty crazy place these days, but still a beautiful site.

The NYSE after market close (down 500+, yikes!)

On the way to the pharmacy, we unexpectedly ran into Emma's friend, Caroline and her sister, Mary Margaret - as you can see, all were VERY excited.

A Caroline sandwich!

Singing songs in the World Financial Center

We LOVE YOU DADDY!

New York, New York

Today was an AWESOME day in New York...a whole day at 71 Broadway with the Hunt's - it sure doesn't get any better than this!

Taking a ride on the cart...

Me and Miss Daisy

"Emma's Room"

Matthew and Sophie

Party in the hallway

Bathing beauties on the rooftop (Emma didn't know it was so COLD!)

Boogie down productions

C'mon everybody, let's dance!!!

The gang's all here...

Soph, Lilly, Mia, Andrew and Emma

Matthew and Sophie helping Miss Rebecca make breadsticks (and admiring the beautiful sunset together)

What a very special day!

We love you daddy!!!

On the road again...

Today has been a busy day - we had to get ready for our big trip back east. After we finished packing, we took a quick trip to the Wash Tub to get the minivan a little bath - need to keep it in good shape for daddy's return. Sophie was mesmerized by the machine.

We ran home and grabbed a ride to the airport with our awesome neighbors, Scott and Jessica (and Tyler, too). The girls were very excited. We had a little delay but had fun passing the time coloring and watching sports. Eagles lost, but Phillies won - we'll take what we can get. It was priceless watching Emma walking up and down the halls of the airport cheering "E-A-G-L-E-S, go EAGLES!"

Grammy was there waiting for us when we arrived in Philly - we are so lucky to have such a wonderful, thoughtful grandmom. We loved having the time with her on the drive up to New York. Emma couldn't contain herself - she was just giddy about being back in NYC...

Stay tuned. We're going to try to visit some of our old haunts this week. A little sneak peek - we're going to see the Hunt's (our neighbors at 71 Broadway) tomorrow.

WE LOVE YOU (and miss you) DADDY!

Never a dull moment

Today was quite the day - we were off to an early start - had to get mom a little gym time in - I am determined to get in shape - at any cost...The girls love going to the gym because they get to play in a really cool kids space and there are tons of kids there.

After the gym, we hustled off to ballet class, worked up an appetite, then headed to this adorable bakery called "Twin Sisters" in Alamo Heights with Miss Wendy, Nessa and MacKay. We (belatedly) celebrated Nessa's birthday (I promise I'm working on getting organized).

"Sharing" Nessa's birthday present

A little sisterly love...


After lunch, the girls and I took a drive out to the Love Creek Orchard to visit their pumpkin patch - had to see what "fall" is like, Texas style (HOT). While Emma was disappointed that we couldn't pick apples (the very limited season here is in July, and this year wasn't a good one), we had a wonderful time. Of course, by the time we left, I was covered in green paint (thanks, Soph), Sophie had eaten about a gallon of paint and Emma's pumpkin was beautifully painted.
So many pumpkins to chose from

Gumpa..don't look! YUM, cotton candy (Soph's first - she LOVED it)

the maze

Nothing will keep me from my pumpkin - not even this basket!

Working together

Giddy-Up!


After our day at the pumpkin patch, we drove back through Bandera (Cowboy Capital of the World, for those of you who are not familiar!), checked out a lot of horses, cows, goats and other interesting mammals; drove past Medina Lake (Bubba, I still can't figure out how to get down to the lake) and ended up at home, sweet, home...

Of course, no day is complete without a little walk. We stopped to give Miss Mary some love, then made the rounds. The girls really have started to love the neighborhood (and the neighbors). We got caught in the neighbors sprinker, so we all got rinsed off a bit before our baths.


One side note - Soph is learning all sorts of new words (other than "no" and "thank you") - today's highlights - apple sauce, hot, and outside.

I've got to get back to packing...WE LOVE YOU DADDY!

Practice Makes Perfect

You know it's a good day when it begins with your little girl dancing in the halls...don't you love the beautiful ballet outfit from grammy and gumpa?


We're not only honing our dancing skills while you're away, dad, we're practicing everything! We went for a trial run over to Miss Mary and Jim's in preparation for Halloween / trick-or-treating. The girls loved it...and they are experts already.

We couldn't go to bed without a good bath in the big tub!

We said a special prayer for you tonight, daddy. It was so good to hear your voice last night...

We love you, daddy...

A Tale of Two Sophies...

We always knew that Sophie had a little spunk...well, she really demonstrated it today. She got her first "time out" in school - she's taken a liking to climbing on and standing on the chairs in her classroom. When her teachers tell her "no" (most likely with a little smile, because you can't help smiling at Sophie's impish looks), she giggles and climbs even higher - I wonder if this is a sign of things to come?

When we got home, we took our daily walk with our friend Tyler and his mom, Miss Jessica. Sophie had to bring along her purse. She reminded me of a little bitty old lady...

Ooh! Look, I think I found a lucky penny..

I could've sworn I put my bottle in here...

WE LOVE YOU DADDY!

Too Cool for School

We decided to take a "field trip" this afternoon over to the gym in Alamo Heights. Emma, of course, needed to primp (you never know who you'll meet at the gym)...if this is any indication of what the teenager years will be like - look out!

I think we're going to have a brilliant beauty queen and the lovely mayor (that would be Miss Sophia). Everyone at school knows Soph. We can't pass a door without her knocking on it and waving to everyone - she is one social bug.

Our girls are amazing - they just love each other so much. They had a wonderful time playing together tonight...I hope we'll always be so lucky (I'll have to save this to share with them when they are teenagers).

WE LOVE YOU DADDY!