Day 31, Photo 31

I got the idea of using our laundry basket as a sled from another blog I read. I think the girls liked it for the most part. Gabrielle had a solo ride first and was all smiles until Ed took a turn a little too sharp and a little too fast. She tipped over and was very upset that she ended up with snow all over her face. She would only ride after that if Samantha was with her.

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Day 30, Photo 30

Today I asked Gabrielle if she knew what the best part of playing out in the snow was.

Her reply "What?"

My answer, "Coming back inside, getting dry and warm and having a valentine cupcake and hot chocolate!!"

I think she agreed...

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Day 29, Photo 29

I guess practically sitting on top of the air vents is one way to keep warm. Doesn't do much for the rest of the house but...

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Day 28, Photo 28

I was on my way out to fill up the car with gas and decided to grab the camera - just in case I came across a good photo opportunity. As soon as I walked out the front door I couldn't believe how bright it was outside. I looked up and there was my shot!

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

My brother also posted a shot of the full moon for his photo of the day but I had no idea until just minutes ago when I signed into my blog. I thought it was a funny coincidence.

Day 27, Photo 27

It was a good photo day! Today I had quite a few really great ones to choose from but decided to go with some of the last shots taken tonight.

This is daddy-daughter bonding in our house...

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Wii got a Wii finally!! Ed is admittedly the biggest video fanatic of the family yet we are the last, on my side of the family, to get a Nintendo Wii. Gabrielle was very excited, almost as excited as Ed.

Day 26, Photo 26

Not much to say about this one - Samantha wearing a pair of 3-D glasses. All I can do is laugh! Notice her glaring out the corners of her eyes.

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Day 25, Photo 25

I'm not sure if this photo would be better titled "Ridiculous" or "Laziness." Today I was at the computer every spare minute of the day. From the time of my morning devotions at 5:30 am and catching up on blogs and emails to data entry work throughout the day. Anytime my girls would allow, I was working at the computer.

And this my friends is what I sat in the entire time...

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

one of the plastic child chairs from my daughter's little table and chairs set. Notice I'm even using the second chair from the set as extra "desk" space, piled high with my Bibles, journals, planner, calendar and catalogs.

After dinner tonight I sat back down to the computer when Ed asked, "Why don't you at least grab one of the kitchen chairs to sit in?" And you know, I thought that very thought to myself all day.

Day 24, Photo 24

WARNING: Hot Popcorn WILL melt plastic!!

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

I'm sure a lot of you are laughing and saying "duh!!" but it never occurred to me that pouring a relatively fresh popped bag of microwave popcorn would melt through a plastic bag. After popping popcorn for my snack I poured about half of the bag into my bowl and the remaining I began to pour in a plastic storage bag. As I shook the baggie to get the popcorn to settle to the bottom so as to get all of it to fit I noticed the unpopped kernels were sort of stuck to the sides of the bag. Upon a closer look I realized they were stuck because they had melted through the plastic bag.

This unexpected event reminded me of another unexpected result involving melting caramels to make your own icecream topping. Take it from me and my siblings - it doesn't work!

Day 23, Photo 23

Samantha doing one of her yoga moves!

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

She started doing this a couple of days ago and I've been trying to capture it with a photo. Sometimes while she is crawling she straightens her legs up as seen here and sometimes she will try to take a "step" while in this position. She really is quite entertaining to watch!

Day 22, Photo 22

Samantha woke up from her morning nap with some crazy bed head. Her hair stayed like this right up until bath time. No matter how much I patted or brushed it down it insisted on standing up in all directions.

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Day 21, Photo 21

So I know this was supposed to be posted yesterday but I just didn't get a chance.

When Samantha was about 6 weeks old I laid out a picture of her and a baby picture of Gabrielle at the same age together to compare and they really looked a lot alike. I thought it would be fun to do again now a few months later. They still definitely look like sisters but not as much alike as in the first photo comparison.

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Day 20, Photo 20

I was already in bed, nearly asleep, figuring I just wouldn't have a photo for today yet again. Then Ed checked on Gabrielle and found her asleep - wearing fairy wings!!

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Right after he checked on Gabrielle and Samantha he found a plastic bar of soap had been tucked into one of his slippers. Kids really do the funniest and strangest things sometimes.

Day 19. Photo 19

Waking Up Early
+
Missing Naptime/Quiet Time
+
An Hour Playing at the Park
=

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Two tired and sleeping little girls in the car on the way home.

Fortunately for me they both remained asleep even once I brought them inside - long enough for me to mop the bathroom floors, fold some laundry and get dinner started. Unfortunately, Gabrielle is now still awake and it is almost two hours past her bedtime!!

Day 18, Photo 18

Enjoying yet another beautiful day outside. I hope we aren't getting spoiled only to have some huge snow or ice storm in late winter! Gabrielle asked all afternoon if we could go for another "sidewalk" today. We left a little later than usual because Samantha took a late nap so it was starting to get a little cool, but still it was a nice walk. Gabrielle is fascinated by every one's landscaping. Our yard is au naturel with quite a few trees left from the wooded lot it used to be. Most of our neighbors cleared their lots almost completely and have since landscaped with their own choice of trees, bushes and flowers. Gabrielle is now asking for some "little trees" like everyone else has. She is also quite fascinated by the cracks in the road. And enjoys talking as loud as she can while we're outside so that she can hear her echo. Samantha sits back, enjoys the ride and chuckles quite a bit at her crazy sister.

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Day 17, No Photo 17

What can I say? Some days just aren't photo-worthy.

Day 16, Photo 16

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

We took advantage of another beautiful day outside today. After taking a leisurely walk around the neighborhood we decided to go on a little adventure to the creek which marks our back property line. Gabrielle had no idea it even existed.

It is always interesting how simple things can bring up so many memories and feelings. The last time Ed and I were even back at the creek was when our house was being built. It was probably a little later in the year but not by much. All afternoon I have been thinking about Daddy. It will be 6 years in February he passed away. Ed and I started building our home, got engaged and planned a wedding all at the same time Daddy was sick. Sadly we were not married before he passed but he at least was able to give Ed permission to ask for my hand in marriage and got to hear about the house as well. So that's what has been on my mind all evening all because of a little walk down to the creek.

Day 15, Photo(s) 15

We took advantage of the warmer weather today by taking a nice relaxing walk after nap time. I forgot to take my camera with us on our walk but these are some photos we took once we returned home.

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Day 14, Photo 14

Samantha discovered Mattie's tags today through the baby gate we keep up between the kitchen and living room. Mattie really enjoyed the attention and decided to give Samantha some kisses as a thank you.

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Day 13, Photo 13

Can anyone say Mr. T? She was so proud of how she looked all decked out in just about every piece of play jewelry she owns!!

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Day 12, Photo 12

Looks like I have another messy kid on my hands. Like mother like daughter I guess.

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Day 11, Photo 11

Just another day at our house. Gabrielle stuffing herself inside some tight little space and Samantha trying to figure out how she did it!

From 2010 - A Year in Photos

Day 10, Photo 10

I have the horrible habit of starting and never completing projects. Sometimes I'll simply make notes of various projects and never get any further with the idea. Other times I will buy the supplies needed and even start the project, only for the unfinished materials to sit around in a bag or on a shelf, collecting dust, and cluttering my home. I am really making an effort to break this habit. The first step - to finish the projects I already have started. Today I accomplished this twice!! The first, a french memo board for Samantha's room to hold her cards and photos and other special mementos. The second, a blankie for Samantha.

From Drop Box

Day 9, Photo 9

Yesterday I treated myself with a new color of nail polish so after putting the girls to bed and cleaning the kitchen I decided I would take the time to paint my nails while watching some television.

I'm still a little undecided about the color - it looked much lighter in the store. Oh well!

Day 8, Photo 8

Me & My Girls

Day 7, Photo 7

The girls were playing so well in Samantha's room together I thought I would take a minute to check email real quick but they soon found me and came crawling down the hall together to get me.

Day 6, Photo 6

This is what happens when one is two or three days behind on laundry and decides to clean out and straighten up one's closet and dresser the same day as catching up on laundry!! I don't have an after picture but trust me, the bedroom looks a thousand times better. Unfortunately I still have about three loads of laundry to do tomorrow to be caught up.

Day 5, Photo 5

Hmmm...it is almost 9:00 pm and I haven't taken any pictures today. What am I going to post on my photo blog?

"Hey, Gabrielle, come here and let me take your picture."

And this is what she gave me to work with!

Day 4, Photo 4

Why is this my photo of the day? Other than the fact my mom and I were out shopping the majority of the day and weren't really home to get any good pictures nor did I have my camera with me to take any pictures while we were out so this is the only picture I actually took today? Well, little Miss Samantha, who has only been really crawling for a little over a week now, has decided at 8 months old she can pull up on everything! This is the second time she has pulled herself up into standing position all by herself. And to top it off, she keeps letting go of what she is holding onto for a split second.

Day 3, Photo 3

Giddy up!

Day 2, Photo 2

Today we celebrated Christmas with Ed's side of the family. Our nephew Dominic got a big piano like the one in the movie "Big" - well not quite as big as the one in the movie but it was very cool anyway! It was a big hit with all the kids as you can see.

Day 1, Photo 1

I have been told on more than one occasion lately I am just like my mom - I look like her or I laugh like or I talk like her. I by no means consider this a bad thing. My mom is and has been an incredible mother and I only hope years from now my girls will think of me the way I think of my mom. But as for my photo, here is yet another example of how I am just like my mom. I find myself making a pot of coffee usually mid-afternoon just to get through the rest of the day. This is after I have a pretty big cup in the morning and occasionally I'll even have a cup after dinner. I haven't quite worked up tolerance to the point of making more than one full pot a day!! (and no offense, but I hope I never need as much coffee as my mom - that's one trait I'd rather do without)