Poker Shark

Daddy had some friends over to play poker tonight & lucky for all of them, they played after Zoe's bedtime. When Zoe saw Lew getting the chips organized, Zoe immediately got her chips out & lined up ready to play. Too cute!

Christmas at Aunt Kathy's

Poppa Dave the Pony

Christmas at Great-Grandma Hart's

Great-Grandma with all of the Great-Grandkids

A Sink Bath at Grandma's

Christmas Day

I am sure Nate will love this picture when he gets older.

Zoe exclaimed, "Look! I got a wand with PJs and slippers!"

Presents, presents & more presents.

Christmas Morning

Notice Zoe has her hands on Nate's head.

The Peek-a-boo Barbie Petites that were in her stocking.

Zoe opening her present from Santa Christmas morning - Peek-a-boo Barbie Petites Place

Rock Band!

Andy on vocals & Tony on drums while Jason is attempting to get the guitar going...

Christmas Eve

Zoe & Nate

I love Nate's different expressions in these photos.

Christmas Trees

Hart Christmas

Belle

Snow Day

Today was a snow much fun day. Zoe & Daddy both stayed home because we got over 9 inches of snow quickly in the early morning hours. Zoe had a great time *helping* shovel the snow while Nate watched on from indoors.

I've got your back...

This is what Zoe says right before hitting me in the back with a snowball!

Too Cute!

You Know You Have Too Much Time on Your Hands When...

...you stop your car in your driveway, get out & brush the snow off of the tires before driving in the garage.

Tony & I both watched our neighbor actually do this just now...

"Damage!"

While eating her breakfast this morning, Zoe looked out the window to our snow covered patio and exclaimed:

"Damage! I still have lots of snow to shovel."

Me: "What was the first word you said?"

Zoe: "Damage."

Using my 4-year old speak translator, I quickly deduced that this was not a word she should be saying. For those you not fluent in 4-year old, she was trying to say "dammit". But, it was still funny!

Princess Infestation

It's official. Princesses have take over our entire house - they are even in the canned goods section of the lazy susan...

Lift, Loft & Dropper

Zoe had a "joke" for me that Daddy taught her.

She said: "Lift, Loft & Dropper."

Daddy translated, "Live, Long & Prosper."

Santa

A Request for Santa

While on the way to visit Santa, we asked Zoe what she thought Nate would like for Christmas, she replied:

"A Dinosaur."

She paused & corrected herself:

"A Not Real Dinosaur."

Tony & I laughed and agreed that a *not real* dinosaur would be best, but if Santa only had real ones, then we would prefer a herbivore weighing less than two tons. I mean, you couldn't trust a carnivore around two cats & two small children. That just has disaster written all over it.

High Five Award

Nate's 1st *Solid* Food

Last Monday night, we gave Nate his first solid food (rice cereal). He really wasn't very interested. We put the cereal in, he pushed it out & let it sit there on his lips. Then cried.

After a couple of days of playing with it, Nate realized that he could swallow this stuff. He does a pretty job now, opening his mouth for more & eating twice a day.

Shh...don't tell

Yep, Nate's in a walker, with wheels. Please don't report me.

Nate is a little undecided about the walker. He doesn't really make it go yet, but Zoe loves to zoom him around (maybe a little too much actually.)

Operation Good Cheer

This year, Tony's department contributed $$ for two children for Operation Good Cheer which provides Christmas gifts for children in foster & group homes who normally wouldn't get gifts. I did most of the shopping on Black Friday, so I got lots of good deals. We bought gifts for a five year old girl & a one year old little boy. The girl apparently loves Dora, so if it had Dora on it, I bought it.

Happy Thanksgiving

Here I Come, Top Thrill Dragster

While we were eating supper tonight, we put Nate in his high chair (or if you ask Zoe, HER high chair) for the first time. He immediately grabbed the straps, just like you grab the harness on a roller coaster. Apparently, he's a natural.

Wii Fun!!

After many months of debate, Tony & I finally decided to buy a Wii this year as our Christmas gifts to each other. Of course, I couldn't wait until Christmas, so we had some fun playing tonight. (If you need more gift ideas, see new Wii gift giving opportunities in our Christmas lists...)

Link pulling his sword off his back...

Zoe, playing her princess game that she loves!!

Go Bucks! Beat Michigan!

We had fun today watching the OSU - Michigan game, especially since we won so easily. We had a yummy lunch of chips & buffalo cheese dip, potato skins & pizza rolls.

Chips, please!!

Me: Zoe, what do you want for supper?

Zoe: Salami, Cheese, Crackers, Chips & Dip

Me: We don't have any dip.

Zoe: Okay, actually, I don't want the crackers...

Zoe: Or the salami...

Zoe: Or the cheese.

Zoe: I really just want chips.

At least she was being honest.

Healthy Eating

This week at preschool, Zoe was learning about good habits, like eating healthy, hand washing, etc...

This was a conversation we had one night.

Zoe: I am eating healthy foods for supper - like carrots, macaroni & milk.

Me: What are some unhealthy foods?

Zoe: Sneezing & Coughing

Me: Well, those aren't really foods? Can you think of anything else unhealthy?

Zoe: Onions.

Apparently, Daddy's extremely strong dislike of onions has rubbed off a little on Zoe.

The Candy Corn What?

When Zoe showed us this picture she drew, Tony & I were a little worried that she was seeing too much violence on TV. Then, she explained it's a house (NOT a candy corn hand grenade - shame on you for thinking such a thing.)

The "handle" is a driveway & the "pin" is the door in case you still can't see the house...

Cowgirl Zoe & Catboy Nate

Today, was "H" day at preschool & the kids were allowed to wear their favorite hat. Zoe chose her cowgirl hat that Daddy got her in Texas. Mommy paired it with her cowgirl shirt.

Nate decided to get in the fun & take a ride on Alex.