Snow Days

Over the last 2 days we have gotten over 22 inches of snow.  It was amazing, beautiful and was perfect snow for snow man building and snow ball fights.  Lily had two days off school and even had to miss her Valentine's party, but we had a great Valentine's filled with heart shaped french toast that Lily helped me make.  Now, time to leave for the beach for a three day weekend.

Exciting Weekend with Lluc, Gianna and a Cookie Exchange Party

Last weekend we finally stayed home for the first weekend in a long time.  I thought we were in for a relaxing weekend, but it turned out busier than ever.  Friday night, Lily got invited to a play date with Lluc and Sofia at Lluc's house.  It meant the first night out for Chris and I in I don't know how long.  We had a nice dinner date before going back to pick up Lily.  Saturday we were back at Lluc's to celebrate his dad, Peter's, birthday.  We had a great day and enjoyed traditional raclette for dinner.  On Sunday we were starting to make valentine's cookies when we got a call from Gianna who wanted a play date so we had a cookie play date.  After that, it was off to a cookie exchange party filled full of lots of cookie bearing families.  Lily even won an ant farm at the cookie exchange raffle.  Then the snow came...

Play date on Super Bowl Sunday

We decided to stay home and let Lily have her friend Gianna over for Super Bowl Sunday.  Plus we got to watch Gianna's little sister, Mary Grace, as well.  Mary Grace is a 16 month old, very active, girl.  It made for an interesting night and helped remind us why we only have 1 child.  The girls had a wonderful time playing dress up, rocking out to Bruno Mars half time show and just generally having a great time playing together.  Lily is very lucky to have such a good friend.

Trip to Oregon

I've been a little backed up in postings.  Ugh.  I would like to say we have been very busy, but the truth is... we've had lots of snow days and some relaxing weekends so I really have no excuse.  But on with the story...

Over the MLK holiday week, we all got to go to Oregon.  Kim to work in Oregon, Chris to work from "home" and Lily to hang out with her family.  It was a great week.  Lily got some serious quality family time in and even got to go to Chuck E. Cheeses with all her cousins, go to the Carousel in Salem two times, and have lunch with Courtney near Willamette University where she is teaching.  Not too mention some quality time with the Cremers which she thoroughly enjoyed.  She even got to play with all Courtney's old toys.  It was a fun filled 9 days and we even missed a snow storm in DC.  It was so warm in Oregon in fact that they daffodils were starting to come out.  Wow.

Lily in front of water feature at Willamette University

Lily at Carousel in Salem, OR

Help Aunt Neenee (Venita) with cookies...

Helping Christopher unwrap his 21st birthday gift 

(a new blender - just what every 21 year old needs)

Weekend at the beach

Unfortunately I forgot my camera this weekend... we headed to the beach with our neighbors and had a great time.  Weekend filled with lots of games, food, walks in the rain and just general fun.  And then we had a late lunch of Korean BBQ on our way home.  MMMMM.....

Florida Part 3 (of 3)

The final part of our Florida trip was spent back in Zephyrhills enjoying more time with friends and family.  We got to spend some quality time with our friend Larry.  And we squeezed a one day trip in to The Magic Kingdom (Disney) in Orlando.  We picked the worst day (busiest day of the year to go) but Lily didn't notice any different.  Chris and I nearly pulled every single one of our hairs out, but Lily was having such a good time that it was hard to have a bad time.  Plus its Disney... the happiest place on earth right?  Unfortunately poor Lily came down with a double ear infection and the flu two days later.  Ugh.  Luckily she is a quick recovery and we were ready to roll home about 36 hours later.  It was definitely a fantastic time had by all.  Did I tell you we came home to snow and 20 degree weather without coats?  Good thing for taxi service.

Florida Part 2

The second part of our Florida trip took us down to Bonita Springs, FL part way between Naples & Ft Myers.  We love this area and it is our third trip down to meet up with our Friends from London that also vacation in Naples, FL.  We were so lucky this year to get to celebrate our friend Tim's 60th birthday with other friends and family as well.

We also got some serious beach time in during the trip down south.  We hit Sanibel Island which is a favorite with Lily due to the abundance of sea shells.  She got a huge bag full to bring home.  We also found a new beach around Bonita called Barefoot Beach that was complete with 100's of Gopher Tortoises.  We saw dolphins playing in the water, did some more shelling, and Lily enjoyed building a sand castle village with a new friend on the beach.  We also enjoyed downtown Naples and the Naples Pier.  What a beautiful area.  We packed a lot in during the five days.

Shells everywhere on Sanibel Island

Pelicans going in for some fishies

Lily and Aniela 

Lily and Stefan (making their serious faces) 

The birthday celebration!!!

The beach at Naples Pier at Sunset 

one of those moments where you feel like the luckiest person on earth!!!)

Gopher Tortoises at Barefoot Beach

Not your typical seagulls