Favorite Spot

The kids have enjoyed spending LOTS of time right here - on Grandpa's lap.

"Crampa" and Anika

Anika loves having visiters and Grandpa is no exception. His special name from Anika is "Crampa".

Letter Recognition

Anika received a number of things for Christmas and her birthday to help her learn her letters. She is really starting to recognize "A" for Anika. I was really proud of her A on her aquadoodle notepad. (Yes, it appears she is going to be a lefty like her mama!)

Grandpa's Here!

Washing the Dog

Anika and Andrew give Daddy a hand washing the dog. It takes amazing patience to deal with a 3 year old, 1 year old, AND a wet, soapy 3 1/2 year old puppy in a tiny bathroom.

Birthday Gifts continued

Anika and Andrew continue to get gifts for their birthdays! I think it will be Birthday month around here. If you ask Anika whose birthday is was she says, "Andrew's and mine. We share!"

Me and my birthday kiddos

FIRST STEPS

I can hardly believe it but . . . Andrew took his first steps at his first birthday party:-)

Cake Eaters

FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY

Decorations!

When Anika got up from her nap, I was still decorating for her birthday - I think she was a little overwhelmed but she LOVED the balloons. She helped me color the Banner and hang it up.

Dora Birthday Cake

On Friday, we had a little party to celebrate Anika and Andrew's birthdays. We had a great time. Anika was so excited about her "birthday" (birthday cake) so I had to grab a pic of her first glance at her Dora cake.

Handprint Time

Anika got a handprint kit for her first 5 years. We now have 3 filled (sniff, where does the time go!)

My Cinderella

Anika has become very helpful around the house -- at least in one area:-) She loves to help me scrub the kitchen floor. I couldn't resist a few shots of my little "cinderella".

Birthday Presents

A few moments from the day!

Doodling on her new aquadoodle pad -- wearing her new slippers!

"I love this card!"

Coloring books and crayons from Auntie Dana

The Birthday Girl

Anika turned 3 today!!!! (Her parents can hardly believe it.) It was a special day. Anika picked out her outfit, went shopping in Yakima with us, ate out at Burger King (and played at the playplace), opened some presents, and had chocolate ice cream (with candles in it.) I asked Anika her favorite part about birthdays and she said, "Candles. You blow them off." (Of course, you turn off a light so you must "blow off" a candle!) But her favorite part of today turned out to be the ice cream. We will be having a little party on Friday with some friends to celebrate both Anika's and Andrew's birthdays but we couldn't let today pass without some acknowledgement of the day.

Miss Princess

Anika dressed up as a princess -- jewels and all!

Fun with Friends

We've enjoyed having our good friend, Paul home from college over Christmas break. We've also seen more of Paul's brother, Nathan and our friend, Michael during this time too. We shared some hot chocolate after watching them throw the football around outside. (It was good to get outside for awhile -- we were getting some "cabin fever"!)

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! We enjoyed a nice quiet day at home together.

Anika's New Clothes

Anika is actually a child who gets excited about new clothes. Right away, she had to try on the clothes that Nana sent. She loves her "brown gauchos and rainbow turtleneck" as she must tell everyone. I think she particularly likes how they swish around. In the first two pictures she is wiggling.

Scout's Christmas Present