About time!

Well it's been a really, really long time since I posted anything,

so why not return with some BIG news! Yes, Sophia is going to be

a big sister, although she doesn't understand that yet. We

are very excited and can't wait to visit the doctor in a couple weeks.

Here are some more recent pics of Sophia...

lil' pigtails

playing in the fountains with Ally


eating some delicious Indiana sweetcorn

Dancing Queen

Nothing really new with us. Sophia had what we thought was just a cold but turned out to be a double ear infection. She's fine now and is eagerly anticipating the arrival of her cousins and Aunt and Uncle from Denmark. They'll be here in little over a week!

Here's a picture of Sophia practicing her routine for her dance troupe's ( The Tumbling Tulips ) recital - "Flashdance- A musical in diapers"

...and Sophia practicing her lines for the Elgin Toddler's Theatre Workshop " The Outcast Fairy," Sophia is playing the lead as Stinkerbell.

This past weekend our Goddaughter, Ally, stayed with us. Her Mom and Dad (Lisa's brother Dan and his wife Courtney), went to California on a belated trip to celebrate their tenth anniversary. We all had a lot of fun, and Sophia loved having Ally here. They played, they laughed, and enjoyed watching TV with each other, except when Sophia feels the need to block everyone's view and stand right in front of it. We went to Chuckie Cheese with Lisa's brother Dave, his wife Beccy, their kids; Grace and baby Katie, and Ally's brother Sean (who was staying with them). The kids thought it was great, I, on the other hand, would like to punch Chuckie... a kid's dream, a parents nightmare. Sophia was so excited Ally was here, when she woke up from her nap, instead of yelling mommy or daddy, she yelled ALLY! They played in the snow and had fun being pulled on sleds around the block.

Sophia and Ally looking up from their tunnel

posing before the sled ride

Ally looking cute, playing in the snow

Better late than never

O.K., so I haven't updated this blog in awhile. I'll apologize now for making everyone get back into the holiday season with these pictures, but I have to post them. We just took our Christmas tree down yesterday, so if you think this posting is late... These pics are from Christmas Eve at Henry and JoAnn's ( Lisa's folks). We got there late in the afternoon, had some great appetizers, opened presents, and eventually made it to Aunt Mary's house for an extended family get-together. It was a very cheerful night, although very cold. We are very thankful for all the wonderful gifts, but even more grateful to have spent a lovely evening with family.

Sean, Ally, Grace, and Sophia munching


from left to right, Ally, Sophia, baby Kate, Sean, & Grace

We got home too late for Sophia. She had a lot of fun, but was exhausted. We had a nice Christmas morning, just the three of us. We opened our presents and stockings first, of course. Sophia enjoyed the gifts from Santa, but honestly had just as much fun playing with the coasters on the coffee table, that's a one year old for ya. Then we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast of pancakes and eggs.

What is this?

Can you hear me now?

Thank you for the pretty dress from Denmark; Uncle Thomas, Aunt Amy, Jonas, and baby Adam! (Sophia did not sprout curly, dark hair, that's mommy crouching behind her.)

Thank you for the Barbie 4x4 Great Grandma&Grandpa Bohman, Aunt Mary, Katie, & Lindsey!

The day after Christmas we drove to Indiana to visit Grandma & Grandpa. The weather had been very bad that day and it took us almost 6 hours to get to Noblesville. Sophia was sooooo good though, and that made the travelling not so bad. She was very excited to finally see Grandma and Grandpa. The house was so festive and Indiana was so warm (60degrees). We had a great belated Christmas with Mom and Dad!

Sophia in her Christmas dress ready for church.

Sophia loves her Grandma

Sophia relaxing with Grandpa and Sammy the cat

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for all my gifts, I love my piggy slippers!

...almost Christmas...foot of snow...

Maybe we don't have a foot of snow, but it's close... o.k., maybe 9 inches. We have had so much cold weather already, and if it's not cold (below 20), it snows. We are supposed to get another 6" tomorrow. It is almost Christmas Eve, and we have had so much snow already, I'm ready to move. We are all a little stir crazy, but loving the warmth of each other and our home. Here's a pic of our tree and stockings...

Sophia and her snowsuit

I put Sophia in her snowsuit the other day to play in the snow. It was hard enough for her to walk with her boots and snowsuit on in the house, and once in the snow she was pretty much stuck. She had more fun having Daddy pull her on her sled around the neighborhood. It reminded me of pulling my nephew Jonas on the same sled last year, he loved it too.

Tis' the season...

We put our Christmas tree up about a week ago, and so far Sophia has been pretty good about leaving the ornaments alone. Sometimes however, you'll find her running and screaming around the house with one in her hand like she just won the lottery.

We also put up our stockings. My mom got us all nice big embroidered stockings last year. Here is Sophia smelling them, she has to smell everything. And if they were on someone's feet, well, she'd sniff them too!