Thursday, January 23, 2014

So Happy Together

Sisters.

One of the first things I said to Ryan when we found out that baby #2 was going to be a girl was that I was so excited for Taylor. She was going to have a sister. I obviously never experienced the relationship of having a 'sister', and I immediately starting imagining what the future could be like for these two girls growing up together.

Slowly but surely, Taylor and Camryn are definitely connecting more on a "sister" level. :o) AND, because we have experienced quite a few days this winter like this...

...piles of snow that result in a snow day for me, I get to spend more time with Tay and Cam, and watch them interact. :)

 When Camryn wakes up, she asks, "Where'd Tay Tay go?"

When Taylor is playing, often she will ask Camryn to come along with her. "Camryn, do you want to go play babies? Yes or no?"
{It cracks me up when Taylor adds her "yes or no" question to her conversation - not sure where she picked that up from. :)}

Two little ladies reading together on the couch. They love bringing every 'lovey', stuffed animal and blanket with them wherever they play.

'Pretend' sleeping together on Taylor's bed (Taylor said, "Mama, will you come take a picture of us being cozy?")


And THIS has become a FAVORITE way for the two ladies to play. It started while Camryn was napping on one snow day, I went out to clear the driveway, and when I came back in, Cam had woken up, and Taylor took the liberty to go in her room, grab a stool and climb in the crib. They stayed in there playing for almost 45 minutes - didn't want me to take them out. :)

While not every moment is all smiles with these two, they are pretty happy when they get to be together. :)


Friday, January 3, 2014

Cookies, Visiting Santa, GRCM, and Frozen!

An assortment of final December memories!

**** Decorating Christmas cookies - always fun!

**** Santa visit this year = FAIL
1. Taylor would not go anywhere near Santa (can you see the little girl who is on the opposite end of the store from Santa in this picture? ;))
 Nope - not even a glance his way...

2. This was Camryn's reaction


Maybe next year :)

**** Grand Rapids Children's Museum (GRCM)
This was a really fun morning - a fun experience for the girls!!

They loved this tunnel of mirrors


The firetruck slide


A very cool ramp with bells


And there was a "Kids Construction Zone" area set up
(Can you spy Camryn and Taylor in this picture?)


***And finally, Mem and I took Taylor to see her first movie at a theater - Frozen! It was a very cute movie, with really great music. She did really well for her first time (and enjoyed the popcorn that we snuck into the theater ;))



Christmas Day...At home :)

Christmas morning we woke up in our own little house. Our first Christmas in our new home. :) It was relaxed and cozy, and the girls had fun playing with their new toys!


Stockings before breakfast :o)




A little break for some food

Opening a few gifts from Santa





Camryn got a new baby carrier (her second one!) :) But she LOVES her babies, so it is perfect..



With two bigger surprise presents from Santa that he left downstairs for Tay and Cam! New shopping carts!


Ryan also had a gift from Santa downstairs - something new to hang on the wall of his "man cave" :)


Playing with new toys and reading books is how we spent the rest of the day.


We did dinner with Papa and Gaga later that evening, and by the time we were home, we were all ready for some down time! Thursday night we had another extended Slagh family party, so Friday was our first day with nothing planned! It was quite a CHRISTMAS this year, but good to see lots of family throughout the holiday!


Christmas Celebration #3 - Slagh side!

These pictures are ALL from Uncle Jason's camera - we didn't even have photos from Ryan's phone, so thank goodness he captured this evening for us!!

On Christmas Eve, it is our tradition to celebrate with Ryan's family! LOTS of food, LOTS of presents, and HOURS of gift-opening fun at this one! And next year there will be THREE more grandchildren after Chris and Liz have their baby girl (anytime now!) and Jon and Katie have the twins!! It will be quite the large event next Christmas! :)

Lots of pictures to tell the story of the evening... :)

Gotta love this little face! This is one day after her surgery for her tubes/adenoids, and she was feeling MUCH better!!

New books
 New stroller :)

 Reading new books with Grandpa
 Gift for me from Jason and Ryan - a picture from Round Lake in Charlevoix!
 Hugs with Aunt Katie

 A calendar from the girls for Grandma and Grandpa


 New piggy bank for Cam!

 Love her


 Love this sweet little girl bunches and bunches... can't believe she is getting so big

Up next - Christmas day at home!