Winter Play

This weekend, in pursuit of snow, we traveled to our cabin in the mountains. Sadly, there was no snow, but rather, lots of windy rainy weather. Even so, we managed to have a lot of fun watching movie after movie after movie. The girls got a little stir crazy, so Daddy ventured outside and took them to the park by the lake near our house. They played in the sand until the rain became too much and then they came back inside. Chloe and Pearl managed to have a fun time playing jigsaw puzzles and imagination games with quilts and blankets and pillows.

Now that we are back home, I look to the mountains and I can see snow all the way to the base, almost surely at our cabin. Perhaps we will get another opportunity this season to let Chloe and Pearl experience snow for the first time.

Playing Around

These pictures are from a couple of weeks ago. We were just playing around on a typical evening at home. Chris and the girls were really having a fun time together, so we captured a couple of cute pictures. It really is nice having her stay with us as a part of our family.

Everyone is healthy for now and we are really enjoying our evenings together around the fireplace.

Chloe's 4th Birthday Party

Even though it is mid-January in California's Central Valley, we managed to have a very beautiful day for a birthday party, mostly outside. We had a few less guests than anticipated, but it turned out just perfect and a good time was had by all. I think Chloe will be talking about this day for a very long time to come.

Tomorrow Chloe turns 4

Yet another long break between posts. I have been busy planning for Chloe's 4th birthday. I have a lot more pictures from our Winter break, but I don't know if or when I will get them up.

Tomorrow Chloe turns 4. We were just going to have a small little party here at home, a scaled-down version of last year's big event. We only invited a few locals. Then Chloe said she wanted to be Snow White. Pearl said she wanted to be Belle. Then it turned into a costume party with all guests invited to attend as their favorite Disney character. Add a bounce house and a petting zoo and pony rides, and I think we will be exceeding even last year's extravaganza.

Here are some pictures of Chloe trying on her outfit for tomorrow. Enjoy.

New Years Day

We spent New Years Day morning at the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk. It was sunny and 70 degrees, with almost no people. The girls got on the rides with NO lines and had a real fun time. Afterward, we went to Roaring Camp to ride the train, but we missed it by 1.5 hours, so we just headed to San Jose to visit with Cousins Bruce and Lorene. Michelle had to go home a couple of days ago, so we missed her.

Cousin Bruce keeps a box full of toys just in case younger visitors stop by. Chloe and Pearl dumped all of the toys out of the box and then proceeded to play with the box itself. They played magic disappearing games and Jack in The Box among many others.