Grace was so excited to get Daisy back from the "Doggy Hotel" yesterday! She has been spending extra time cuddling with her on the couch and has been giving her lots of hugs and kisses!Monday, November 29, 2010
Best Friends Reunited
Grace was so excited to get Daisy back from the "Doggy Hotel" yesterday! She has been spending extra time cuddling with her on the couch and has been giving her lots of hugs and kisses!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thanksgiving in Iowa
On Wednesday we left for our annual pilgrimage to Iowa for Thanksgiving weekend. This year was strange without Grandma Williams but Mark's mom pulled out all the recipes and was able to recreate the Thanksgiving traditions that we all love so much. She did a fantastic job. Grandma would have been proud! We hope you all had a fantastic holiday also!
Sleeping on the ride out. She insisted on having her hat on her head.
Being silly!
Riding the carousel at the Coral Ridge Mall--Grace refused to go on a horse.
Grace and Anna in their matching Thanksgiving dresses. Grace was great with Anna--playing peekaboo with her and helping with bottles and diaper changes. She also enjoyed having all of Anna's things there for her to use for her baby dolls. Grace's babies enjoyed Anna's activity mat and her car seat :-)
Trying to get a shot of the girls--Grace was being silly and got me laughing...we did not get any good formal shots but I love this candid shot!
"Mom, I am done posing!"
We had the extended family for Thanksgiving this year so we were at the Presbyterian Church for dinner. It worked out perfectly since Grace had their play room all to herself!
On Friday, we always head to Storm Lake for lunch and shopping.
Grandma in her element!
At Santa's Castle in Storm Lake, IA
Crazy animated poodles
The train display was by far Grace's favorite!
Grace was scared to visit Santa. He was very nice though. He came over and gave her a card to color and got her to give him a high five. This is the best we could do for a photo.
Playing dress up at the house
Back at the Coral Ridge mall on our way home. We LOVE that mall. They had Grace-sized tables and a Grace-sized restroom. She loved it! They also have an indoor ice skating rink which she was mesmerized by--I think we might have to get her to our ice rink sometime later this winter just to try it out (probably just in her boots).
Sleeping on the ride out. She insisted on having her hat on her head.
Being silly!
Riding the carousel at the Coral Ridge Mall--Grace refused to go on a horse.
Grace and Anna in their matching Thanksgiving dresses. Grace was great with Anna--playing peekaboo with her and helping with bottles and diaper changes. She also enjoyed having all of Anna's things there for her to use for her baby dolls. Grace's babies enjoyed Anna's activity mat and her car seat :-)
Trying to get a shot of the girls--Grace was being silly and got me laughing...we did not get any good formal shots but I love this candid shot!
"Mom, I am done posing!"
We had the extended family for Thanksgiving this year so we were at the Presbyterian Church for dinner. It worked out perfectly since Grace had their play room all to herself!On Friday, we always head to Storm Lake for lunch and shopping.
Grandma in her element!
At Santa's Castle in Storm Lake, IA
Crazy animated poodles
The train display was by far Grace's favorite!
Grace was scared to visit Santa. He was very nice though. He came over and gave her a card to color and got her to give him a high five. This is the best we could do for a photo.
Playing dress up at the house
Back at the Coral Ridge mall on our way home. We LOVE that mall. They had Grace-sized tables and a Grace-sized restroom. She loved it! They also have an indoor ice skating rink which she was mesmerized by--I think we might have to get her to our ice rink sometime later this winter just to try it out (probably just in her boots).Best Friends
We just got home from a trip to Iowa for Thanksgiving (next post!). Daisy has been staying at the "Doggy Hotel" and we'll get to pick her up tomorrow. Grace has been asking about Daisy constantly. When we got home Grace even grabbed some of Daisy's toys and tossed them, saying "Go get it Daisy!" I think she really is missing her BFF!
2nd Birthday Party!!!
After we all got home we had important business to take care of....Grace's birthday party!
Naturally we had to have a Sesame Street theme!
We had a great time with our Lafayette friends and our family. They really made the night special for Grace!
Grace and Porter playing at the beginning of the party (you can tell it's the beginning because they didn't have ALL the toys out...yet!)
Grace always loves to snuggle with Uncle Greg!
Explaining to Anna how fun it is to have a birthday
The video above is the first singing of "Happy Birthday!" You'll note that it took her awhile to warm up but by the end she loved it and was asking us to do it again. Since she was the birthday girl, we all happily obliged!
Naturally we had to have a Sesame Street theme!Grace even helped me and Grandma Applebee make the cake and cupcakes for her party.
Grace and Porter playing at the beginning of the party (you can tell it's the beginning because they didn't have ALL the toys out...yet!)
Grace always loves to snuggle with Uncle Greg!
Explaining to Anna how fun it is to have a birthdayThe video above is the first singing of "Happy Birthday!" You'll note that it took her awhile to warm up but by the end she loved it and was asking us to do it again. Since she was the birthday girl, we all happily obliged!
"Happy Birthday" take 2!
And what's better than being sung to? Eating the cake, of course!
Grace was pretty fun opening her presents this year. For the most part we were able to get her to say "Thank you!" for all of her gifts. Our friends and family were way too generous! Thank you all!!!
The last gift we gave Grace was a tricycle from me and Mark. We knew it would be the perfect gift since she has been looking at toy magazines for the last month, picking out the bikes, and saying "My bike!" Of course when Mark brought it from the garage it was met by squeals of "My bike! My bike!" It's a bit big for her but it should be just the perfect size by the time Spring rolls around.
Goodbye hugs!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Package!
The week before her birthday Grace received a package from Uncle Bobby, Aunt Megan, and Alyson. It made her night! Thank you guys :-)
There were so many fun goodies in the package but perhaps the best gift was this Sesame Street mug. Growing up, Bobby and I always ate hot cocoa and toast for breakfast at our tray tables while we watched Saturday morning cartoons. We each had our own special hot cocoa mug...mine a Sesame Street one (which I still have) and Bobby's a mug from Niagara Falls that had a lid with a big cow on it. On Grace's card was the message "We hope you like your hot cocoa mug!" Boy did that bring back a flood of good memories for me :-)
There were so many fun goodies in the package but perhaps the best gift was this Sesame Street mug. Growing up, Bobby and I always ate hot cocoa and toast for breakfast at our tray tables while we watched Saturday morning cartoons. We each had our own special hot cocoa mug...mine a Sesame Street one (which I still have) and Bobby's a mug from Niagara Falls that had a lid with a big cow on it. On Grace's card was the message "We hope you like your hot cocoa mug!" Boy did that bring back a flood of good memories for me :-) Trips!
In the middle of November I had to make a trip to San Francisco for the National Communication Association's Annual Conference. This was a big conference for me, so Mark came along for moral support. Unfortunately, the conference fell right over Grace's birthday (talk about creating parental guilt!). But Grace was in great hands as she headed up to Michigan. We figured it would be a great opportunity for her to get to visit with some of my family members that don't get to see her too often. And of course Grandma and Grandpa Applebee were more than thrilled to have her for the week. From all reports, Grace was amazing! My mom said she felt a bit like she was in a time warp because so many of Grace's mannerisms and characteristics are reminiscent of a 2 year old Elizabeth :-) Here are highlights of Grace's visit:
Walking in the woods
A party on her birthday!
Opening her gifts from mom and dad!
Yes, we got her a toothbrush holder...but you have no idea how much she LOVES this Elmo toothbrush holder. We no longer have fights about brushing our teeth!
Grace's new "baby" from Grandma--it was supposed to be for Grandma's house but Grace is absolutely obsessed with it so it came home with her.
Time for cake!
Morning breakfasts with Grandpa
Getting bundled up to head out into the cold
The giggles at the end of this video are the best!
Grace's imaginative play has really come out during the last few weeks!
A visit from Papa Weber and Great Grandma Weber
Great Grandma got the job of holding the baby!
I love this video because a) only a grandma would let a two year old eat ice cream on the couch with no tray, b) Grace is being SOOOO careful, and c) I love how she looks like she is actually a part of the adult conversation.
Pony rides
While Grace was entertaining relatives and friends in Michigan, Mark and I were enjoying San Francisco. I should say that Mark was enjoying San Francisco. I worked most of the time but did get to enjoy dinners with Mark and had 1/2 a day when we first got there and a few hours on our last day there to enjoy the city. Here are highlights of our trip:
The sea lions at the pier (and the only proof that I was there, that's the back of my head!)
Alcatraz
Lefty's store
Street performers break dancing
Wine sampling
Walking back to our hotel...we probably walked at least six (very hilly) miles that day
Mark's dream dinner--pizza and beer!
Delicious breakfasts
Mark and his high school friend, Norm
Enjoying the Purdue party
Most schools host a reception at the conference. This year Purdue got lucky and ended up with the space on the 70th floor of the hotel for our reception. The room was surrounded by 14 foot high windows. Breathtaking views!
Taking the scenic eating tour of the city
Mark had a lot of stops he wanted to make...most involving food. The picture above is at a fortune cookie shop in a back alley of China Town. He brought a bag back to the hotel and I pretty much lived off of them during the conference!
Stopping by the wharf on the way to...
Ghirardelli Square. This was Mark's lunch on Monday. He sent me a picture of it via text message and then sent me another message that the cheerleading team from one of the universities was sitting right next to him...luckily he didn't take pictures of that or else he would have been the creepy dude :-)
To say I was jealous is an understatement!
Lombard Street
What a view!
Pretzels in the mission district with Mark's partner in crime, Vicky
Hot buns from a Mission District bakery
The view from the park
Bi-Rite ice cream
Mark and Vicky headed to the wharf area via cable car
Getting the infamous In-N-Out burgers
View of the bridge pre-bike ride...yes, Mark biked the Golden Gate Bridge! How cool is that?!?! The following are his pictures--he rode solo while his sight seeing buddies went to Alcatraz so it's all self-portraits.
We took the red eye home Tuesday night but we did have some time to sight see after I was done conferencing. So we walked the few miles over to see the painted ladies...the seven Victorian era homes above. Up close they were pretty but I didn't quite get what the appeal was until we walked the hill and saw the skyline in the background. What an awesome juxtaposition of old and new!
On the recommendation of a friend, we headed to this little sushi restaurant for dinner. It is so tiny--two tables and 8 seats at the bar. We waited about an hour to get a seat but boy was it worth it! If you are a sushi fan and are headed to SF--get here!!!
Baked mussels
Hawaii role with chopped macadamia nuts on top!
Overall, we all had great trips! We got home Wednesday afternoon and Grace arrived on Thursday afternoon. It was so much fun to get to see her after nearly a week apart. The hugs she gave us were fantastic! Thank you Mom and Mike for taking such good care of our little girl!
Helping load wood for the wood burning stove
Walking in the woods
Many wagon rides
A party on her birthday!
My mom invited Grandma Marg and Jenny over for Grace's actual birthday. She and Grace made all kinds of snacks for the party and I have been told that everyone had a great time! I really need to dig out some of my old pictures because I know there are some of me at my birthday parties when I was Grace's age with Grandma Marg and Jenny!
Opening her gifts from mom and dad!
Yes, we got her a toothbrush holder...but you have no idea how much she LOVES this Elmo toothbrush holder. We no longer have fights about brushing our teeth!
Grace's new "baby" from Grandma--it was supposed to be for Grandma's house but Grace is absolutely obsessed with it so it came home with her.
Time for cake!
Morning breakfasts with Grandpa
Getting bundled up to head out into the cold
A trip to Chuckee Cheese's
A visit from Aunt Patty, Uncle Bill and Olga
Playing at Grandma's
The giggles at the end of this video are the best!
Grace's imaginative play has really come out during the last few weeks!
A visit from Papa Weber and Great Grandma Weber
Great Grandma got the job of holding the baby!I love this video because a) only a grandma would let a two year old eat ice cream on the couch with no tray, b) Grace is being SOOOO careful, and c) I love how she looks like she is actually a part of the adult conversation.
Pony rides
While Grace was entertaining relatives and friends in Michigan, Mark and I were enjoying San Francisco. I should say that Mark was enjoying San Francisco. I worked most of the time but did get to enjoy dinners with Mark and had 1/2 a day when we first got there and a few hours on our last day there to enjoy the city. Here are highlights of our trip:
Exploring the city the first day we got there
The sea lions at the pier (and the only proof that I was there, that's the back of my head!)
Alcatraz
Lefty's store
Street performers break dancing
Wine sampling
Walking back to our hotel...we probably walked at least six (very hilly) miles that day
Mark's dream dinner--pizza and beer!Delicious breakfasts
Catching up with old friends
Mark and his high school friend, NormEnjoying the Purdue party
Most schools host a reception at the conference. This year Purdue got lucky and ended up with the space on the 70th floor of the hotel for our reception. The room was surrounded by 14 foot high windows. Breathtaking views!Taking the scenic eating tour of the city
Mark had a lot of stops he wanted to make...most involving food. The picture above is at a fortune cookie shop in a back alley of China Town. He brought a bag back to the hotel and I pretty much lived off of them during the conference!
Stopping by the wharf on the way to...
Ghirardelli Square. This was Mark's lunch on Monday. He sent me a picture of it via text message and then sent me another message that the cheerleading team from one of the universities was sitting right next to him...luckily he didn't take pictures of that or else he would have been the creepy dude :-)
To say I was jealous is an understatement!
Lombard Street
What a view!
Pretzels in the mission district with Mark's partner in crime, Vicky
Hot buns from a Mission District bakery
The view from the park
Bi-Rite ice creamSo yes, all of that was Mark's meal for one day--french toast for breakfast (not pictured), sundae for lunch, pretzel, bun, and ice cream for mid-afternoon snack. That night Mark and I went back to the Mission District and had mission burritos. I cannot begin to describe how delicious they were. Seriously, the best burrito I have ever had! I then made Mark take me to Bi-Rite because I was so envious of all the ice cream he had eaten. It was so good!!!
More scenic eating and working it off
Mark and Vicky headed to the wharf area via cable car
Getting the infamous In-N-Out burgers
View of the bridge pre-bike ride...yes, Mark biked the Golden Gate Bridge! How cool is that?!?! The following are his pictures--he rode solo while his sight seeing buddies went to Alcatraz so it's all self-portraits.
Enjoying another long walk through the city together
We took the red eye home Tuesday night but we did have some time to sight see after I was done conferencing. So we walked the few miles over to see the painted ladies...the seven Victorian era homes above. Up close they were pretty but I didn't quite get what the appeal was until we walked the hill and saw the skyline in the background. What an awesome juxtaposition of old and new!
On the recommendation of a friend, we headed to this little sushi restaurant for dinner. It is so tiny--two tables and 8 seats at the bar. We waited about an hour to get a seat but boy was it worth it! If you are a sushi fan and are headed to SF--get here!!!
Baked mussels
Hawaii role with chopped macadamia nuts on top!Overall, we all had great trips! We got home Wednesday afternoon and Grace arrived on Thursday afternoon. It was so much fun to get to see her after nearly a week apart. The hugs she gave us were fantastic! Thank you Mom and Mike for taking such good care of our little girl!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
