Snow!

We are so far behind. Sorry. 2011 started out kind of crazy! On January 2 it SNOWED at our house! It hasn't snowed like that here since I was in junior high! Kara was so excited. We had been given snow boots an a whole snow suit for Kara from Aunt Pam (not thinking we would ever be able to use it while it fit) so we decided to put it on her and let her outside. It was so awesome. The last time we actually SAW it snow was in Michigan when she was born. It was so beautiful and so surreal. Kara loved it. Ellie even ran around and played in it. That same night--while she was outside playing in the snow--Henry, our beloved fish died. We really didn't want to tell her because she is WAY too smart and empathetic for her age. We realized on the 1st that something was wrong and on the 2nd I ran to PetSmart in my pjs with a ponytail trying to help him. It didn't work and it was hard for all of us. I know it is a fish but he had so much personality and got SO excited when we came up to his tank to feed him. (If you have never had a Betta fish then you can't judge.) Anyway, the weather was awesome. Soon to come is our cruise that we went on the next day.

December Videos

Video of Kara's 3rd Birthday Party

Fun Day With Friends

What started out as a $7 coupon turned into a full, fun day with friends.  I bought the girls each a $7 coupon for painting $15 worth of ceramics.  Krishawn, Keira, and baby Maddie met us there at 11.  The girls chose their pieces and had a great time painting.  We decided to walk to the mall and get lunch.  Right when we walked in there was the HUGE Santa display and Santa was there with NO LINE!  We decided to have the girls get their pictures taken with Santa.  It was $21 for two 5X7s so we put the girls together and split the cost.  It was nice to have time for Santa to actually ask them what they wanted for Christmas and talk to them.  Usually the line is so long it isn't even worth it.  We went to Red Robin for lunch and they think they are such big girls when we let them sit on the same side of the booth.  (That usually lasts about half of the meal.) Afterward we walked the mall, saw the puppies in the pet store, went through Build-A-Bear and even got to see a huge Nativity scene outside.  Unfortunately Baby Jesus had no fingers left and a huge hole in the middle of his forehead but the girls didn't seem to notice. I feel so lucky to be able to do this kind of thing during the week with Kara.

Happy 3rd Birthday Kara!

Halloween

  Grandma K bought Kara this book for Halloween.  Kara loves it and wanted her pumpkin to look just like the one in the book. 

 Little Minnie Mouse

 We met up with Keira and the girls went trick-or-treating around our neighborhood together.

 Ellie was THRILLED about being dressed up...as always.

Kara had such a fun Halloween.  Our neighbor has given us tons of Disney dress-up clothes and Kara fell in love with the Minnie Mouse outfit a couple of months ago.  She was so excited to finally get to wear it.  The holidays are going to be so awesome this year since Kara is old enough now to really understand what is going on. 

We have been preparing for her birthday party and I am not sure she realizes that she is going to be getting presents.  We have been buying party favors for her friends that are coming.  We have been buying Christmas gifts for all of her cousins.  There was one thing we bought for Kara while she was with us that she REALLY wanted.  Even though it IS for her I had to convince her it was for her cousin, Taylor.  She didn't even get upset.  She just said, "Oh, wow, Taylor is REALLY going to like that!"  She is so giving.  I hope it lasts.  :)

It Was Time

We waited as long as we could to cut Kara's beautiful hair but it was definitely time.  The ends were very uneven and she was starting to look unkempt all the time.  She complained (screamed) every time I combed it and it was always tangled at the bottom.  It looks SO beautiful, healthy and thick now.  I cut off FIVE inches.  Wow.

Nursery Rhymes

Kara loves to sing! We recently got her to sit still long enough to take a few videos:

First Trip to the Dentist

Kara did SO well at her first trip to the dentist.  We didn't really know what to expect from her so we figured we would just get done whatever she would put up with.  She had her teeth cleaned, flossed, painted with fluoride and they even got two x-rays.  The whole office was smiling and calling her Cinderella by the time we left with no cavities, a new toothbrush and a sticker.

 The only concern is how incredibly narrow and high her upper palate is.  The dentist just said there isn't anything we can do about it now and we will just have to wait till she is 5 or 6 and it will probably have to be widened.  I had that done and it wasn't fun.  The x-rays showed her adult front top and bottom teeth.  The bottom ones are already crooked and overlapping.  I am so bummed.  I was hoping her teeth could be as beautiful as her birthmom's smile without too much pain and years of braces.  We will see how it develops.

My Birthday

I had such a lovely birthday this year.  Nicole reserved a large table at a nice tea place for brunch.  Several of my friends came and we had such a nice time.  The only bummer was I was only on day 2 of antibiotics from a nasty respiratory infection, had no voice and a bad cough.  After brunch Aaron, Kara and I went to the jeweler to pick up my wedding ring.  I haven't been able to wear it for over a year because of my extra 25 pounds.  The age of 35 didn't agree with me.  I hope 36 is better.  I had it sized from 4 1/2 to a 6 and now I can wear it again.  Kara and I took a very nice nap and then we had a quiet evening at home.  Since I was sick I totally craved Del Taco's chili cheese fries (no idea why I have been gaining weight...) so Aaron went out and got us dinner.  Happy 36 to me!

Legoland!

Thanks to Nicole's free tickets, we saved over $240!

Kara's first rollercoaster! She was pretty scared, but she bravely said afterwards, "I think I liked it."

  

Happy birthday Nicole!

Dinner at our resort's restaurant

Being 37 inches tall = Legoland happiness!

 

What happens when you let a nap-deprived 2.9-year-old captain a ship?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resting after a long, rainy day at Legoland.

Nicole went to a taping of the Bonnie Hunt Show several months ago and part of the package she got was four free Legoland tickets.  Sunday was Nicole's birthday and she offered to take us to a really nice resort for a night and to Legoland on Monday.  We arrived at the hotel about 2:30 on Sunday.  Upon check-in Kara was presented with a box full of crayons, bracelets, toys, a stamp, a beachball, a lollipop and other fun stuff.  Nicole was presented with flowers because it was her birthday.  There were so many smiling, helpful people in the lobby it was almost overwhelming.  Doors were opened for us and we were offered chocolate covered nuts and trail mix.  The balloon animal man showed up at 3 and made Kara a bunny.

We located our room and then walked around the resort to check out the 3 pools and the kids play areas.  It was beautiful.  We found out that there was a huge outlet mall right down the street so we went to the Carter's outlet store and got Kara a few things.  Back to the hotel for swimming and an incredible dinner at the resort restaurant. The fish and chips wereamazing.

On Monday--it rained, well drizzled all day.  We had a good time at Legoland and were so glad we decided to stay another night at the resort instead of driving home in Monday night Los Angeles traffic.  After another amazing dinner at the same restaurant we played Legos in the hotel, watched Dancing with the Stars, got root-beer floats made by the resort staff and slept. 

This morning we slept in until 9.  Kara and Aunt Nicole went swimming again (luckily the pool was heated.)  Aaron went to Mc Donald's and picked up breakfast.  We ate poolside.  We unwillingly checked out at noon and drove home.  No traffic.  What an awesome 4-day weekend for "fall break."  Thanks Nicole!