Knows how to tie own shoes… check!

With milestones coming fewer and farther between, I was honored today to witness my big girl tie her shoe all by herself for the first time. This after literally hundreds of tries. Way to go, Madeleine!

Breakfast with the Penguins @ the zoo!

I hesitated before scheduling anything during winter break, but an opportunity presented itself, so I went with it.  Breakfast with the penguins was a lot of fun! Live penguins walking about with zoo keepers.  Pancake Man flipping flapjacks.  Penguin crafts at the tables.  Butterfly Pavillion before leaving the zoo.  All in all, a fun-filled morning.  Madeleine’s favorite part of the morning? “Eating with the penguins.”  I guess that was the point!

December 25

Our family has been very fortunate this Christmas season. Everyone in our immediate (and extended) family is gainfully employed…everyone who wants to be anyway. 🙂  Everyone is in relatively good health (as I’m typing this I can hear the arguments countering this claim, but I didn’t have to visit anyone in the hospital on Christmas Eve, so we’re good).  The weather has been amazing. My in laws celebrated their 40th Anniversary. My parents will soon celebrate their 44th.  I think the rest of the story can be told in the following photos (although unfortunately not all essential family members are pictured):

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December 24

It’s been a little busy these last two days, so I’m posting a couple of days late.

playing Angry Birds with Uncle Christian

Thirtysomething

My baby sister, Stacey (far left), turned 30 this week! It's official. We're all thirtysomething now, my sisters and I. I'm the thritysomethingest. This decade of existence just doesn't seem as old as it once did. In fact, 40 (being only 2 years away) does actually get more and more pronounceable the closer I get. Huh. Perspective.

Kids take turns blowing out Stacey's 3 (x10) candles.

40 years and counting…

Happy Anniversary to my Parents-in-law, David & Claudia!

 

Filet Benedict at Venue

The Green Gateau at the Green Gateau

Hoping we'll be lucky enough to celebrate our 40th one day ❤

Cookie Extravaganza 2011

Couldn't resist the cherry shot.

sugar, sugar…

My adorable nephew, Zachary...and sugar!

Zoo!

Today we enjoyed a trip to the desert on a cold day with friends from out of town (the Scott & Heidi Starr family of Seattle). The kids made fast friends and entertained themselves with games of tag and hide & seek while taking in the Rain Forest, Cat Complex, and Desert Dome.

Noah perching

Madeleine and Fina perching

Scott with Emma (and Logan)

A lazy Sunday morning…