bird's eye view

Last week, Katy handed down her baby backpack to us. I wasn't sure how much use we'd actually get out of it, but hey, free baby gear, right?!?!? Well, we put it to good use today in the snow. After Daddy left for work & Ellen took a nap, we took Guinness for a walk--I think Ellen had the best view!

Guinness loved it, as usual...Ellen seemed to, as well...although I couldn't really see her up on my back! Getting pictures of her back there was a bit tricky, too.You gotta love those rosy cheeks!

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

This January-baby, northeastern girl LOVES waking up to this:
It's been soooooo long since I've been able to look out my window and see a winter wonderland--and it's still coming down (although now it seems to be more of a snowy/sleety wintery mix). I couldn't even get the door open this morning to take these photos because it was stuck & frozen to the front step with the icy/snowy mixture. It's supposed to be VERY cold today, but hopefully we can get out for a minute or two and get some more photos.

Although Guinness shares her mama's love of the snow, she wasn't too sure about this super crunchy stuff this morning. Her paws kept falling through the crunchy top layer & she wasn't too sure what to make of it!

The Snowy Day

Well, I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical earlier this week when they started predicting snow. Schools were cancelled last night but there was nothing on the ground when we woke up. Finally around 9 am it started and it hasn't stopped yet! Although this is technically our third snow day of 2010, this is the first one with actual snow! And, they are saying that the worst is yet to come--we'll see...I sat Ellen in the snow just long enough to get a couple of snow photos. We may take some more tomorrow, but here's a couple of her and Guinness enjoying the white stuff her mama loves so much!!!!!

7 months

Some belated 7 month photos...

She's getting so big, crawling all over the place and getting into trouble! More posts on that in the future ;).

Sharing new families with old friends

Our last stop on the holiday train was with my best friends, Bonnie & Janice, and their families. Janice has 3 adorable boys and a great husband, JP--no not my JP, but her own! Bonnie & Tuan have Linh who just turned one in October. While I've spent some time (although not nearly enough) with Janice's boys, this was our first time meeting sweet Linh--and she did not disappoint. How cute!!!! Teddy loved the girls.

Tommy looks like he's gotten into the cupcakes...

Trying to get a photo of 3 old friends and their little ones can be a bit tricky...especially when some people have not taken a nap (I'm not naming any names, though.)...

I love you guys and cherish any time we get to spend together. Hopefully it won't be too long before we see each other again. Happy New Year!!!!

Christmas with the Dembinskys

Our next stop on the holiday train was to my Grandma's to check out her new place and see family. I'm so proud of my grandmother for taking the leap and leaving her home of 60+ years for a new one and a chance to move forward. We loved the new place and hope you do too, Grandma! We were also lucky enough to get to see Aunt Susan, Uncle Eddie, Aunt Bernadette, Matthew, Kristin and the girls. It was so nice to spend time with everyone--I wish we lived closer so we could do it more often. Thank you all for the thoughtful gifts! I should have taken more photos while we were there but I guess I was too busy visiting with everyone :). Here are a couple of Ellen & Grandma Helen.

We also had a mini-surprise-belated birthday celebration for my mom. We missed her 60th in November. Thanks to Aunt Susan & Uncle Eddie for arranging the cake.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!! We love you!!!!!

Christmas with the aunts

After spending Christmas day with my mom and brother, we headed up to NY to visit my dad, Olive & the girls. They were so sweet to Ellen and loved her to death (almost literally at times :). Aisling told me she hopes Ellen never grows up--me, too! She also told me she things Ellen looks like her and nothing like me!

Here are a few photos of our weekend with the aunts. As you can imagine, some photos are better than others--have you ever tried to get 4 girls under the age of 7 to all smile at the same time!?!?!? Even so, I think there are a few winners in here and definitely some wonderful memories preserved. We miss you already girls!

Christmas in NJ

Okay, January may be almost half over all ready, but I'm still catching up on our Christmas photos! Here are some from Christmas in NJ with Grandma and Uncle William. Still eating wrapping paper :) Thanks for the great presents!!!!