Noelle Can Write! :)

Noelle wrote her name for the first time. So proud!!!

Snowboarding in Central Park!

Every year, Central Park hosts a Winter Jam, where they teach people how to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, etc., for free! There are food booths and musical acts and snow everywhere. If it hasn't snowed, they bring in snow makers, but that was not necessary this year! We went with our friends from the building, Alexa and her mom, Jennie, and had a blast. When we first walked up, we saw that even though it was within ten minutes of the festival starting, the line for ski lessons was already over an hour long. We decided it wasn't worth it, so we just started wandering around, letting the girls make snow angels and throw snowballs. We happened upon a little tent where little kids were putting snow boots. This was the place for 3-5 year olds to learn to snow board! And there was no line! What luck!
Delilah didn't want to go because she saw that an adult was pulling the snow board, so she thought it wouldn't be fun. But she tried it and loved it! So did Noelle. There was a little obstacle course set up, so the professionals dragged the girls over tiny jumps, under limbo sticks, and down small ramps. Then we got some hot cider and snacks before heading back. As with all our Saturday adventures, Chris missed out because he had school, but he loved getting the pictures from me throughout the day. So fun!

 

 

It's Warm! Who Cares if it's Raining?

It has been FREEZING this winter. Much colder than the last two winters we've lived here. Temperatures have been in the single digits for multiple days in a row. But one Saturday it got up to almost 60 degrees. It was raining, but the girls and I were NOT going to let a chance to play outside get away from us!
Delilah made a list of things to find (two kinds of trees, pile of leaves, etc.) and we started off with a nature hunt. Then we just splashed in every puddle we could find. Then, and this is my favorite, the girls started playing "museum." They often play "school" and argue over who gets to be the teacher...but sometimes they play "museum" and argue over who gets to be the curator. Delilah won the honor this time and had to inspect pieces of ice that Noelle wanted to see added to the Ice Exhibit behind Delilah. This is what happens when you raise kids within walking distance of NYC's Museum Mile. I love it!

2013 Catch Up

And we wrap up 2013 with some cute pics that never found their way into any of the other posts. Goodbye 2013 and Happy 2014!!!!!!!!!!!!

We start with a few pics from my birthday. I went out with two amazing ladies, Jennie and Lauren, for rooftop drinks overlooking the Manhattan skyline. The night started off rough for me because there were supposed to be more people, but nearly everyone canceled at the last minute. But I couldn't have been happier...the two who made it were the perfect girls to hang out with all night!

And now just some of girls going about their lives. :)

School friends!

Sweetheart

Mommy/Delilah date getting dumplings...one of her favorite foods!

Our first family movie night! We try to do it every Friday.

Playing "spa"!

 

 

And we end with one of my favorite pics. We often call the girls our "puppies" because they are loveable, typically intertwined, constantly eating, usually underfoot, and always adorable.

Christmas and New Year's with the Huntleys in Texas

Christmas morning was filled with the usual rush of presents and joy. Then we headed out to Dallas!

This picture was taken at the airport. We just told Delilah that Grammy Di and Papa H were also going to be in Dallas...she was clearly so excited!!!! :)

We had such a wonderful week with the Ernzens. The four cousins adore each other and play so well together that Mommy and Daddy get to hang out with the grown ups! It's always so great to hang out with Chris' family...I hit the in-law jackpot when I got married. We also celebrated NYE together and although the grandparents offered to watch the kids so that Chris, myself, Kim, and Ted could go party, we opted to stay in. We were all having so much fun together that it seemed silly to leave. Kim made a delicious champagne punch, and Ted made a delicious whisky punch and all 6 of the adults stayed up too late playing a hilarious game of Citizens Against Humanity. Haven't laughed that hard in a long time!!
Chris and I also got to see some of our best friends, Jenny & Chad, while we were in Dallas. I think it was the second time that the four of us have been out by ourselves since we had kids. So much fun!

Delilah and Pop Pop both love shrimp. She asked me to take this picture of all the shrimp she ate and send it to him.

We also went to the indoor water park Great Wolf Lodge. We stayed overnight and the girls had SO MUCH FUN playing in the wave pool and going on all the rides. They also loved the log cabin bunk beds...what a blast.

And although it's not chronologically accurate, we end with my favorite photo from the trip. Love.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve started off with a trip to Herald Square and Macy's! We looked at the beautiful store windows, took pictures with some favorite characters, and saw the awesome puppet show, "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Clause" for the second time. Such a magical day for all four of us!

Then we took some pics in front of our Christmas tree, both before and after receiving the annual matching pjs from Grammy Di and Papa H.

In this pic and the next one, the girls are doing something they do every time they match: they hold hands, jump and dance in a circle, while chanting, "We're twins! We're twins! We're twins!" It's even more adorable than it sounds.

I love Christmas season in NYC!!!