Maddy

 Dress up is now enjoyed by both of them!

Abby

 Abby has a funny imagination these days! The toy of the last month has been the pull-toy dog that barks when you drag him around. Maddy loves pulling him around now that she can walk, and Abby loves tying him up to random places (so he won't go anywhere!)

 Abby playing with my new DT toy "Place & Trace Puzzles"! So fun watching her trace so well, and she played pretend for quite a while talking for all the animals.

Oh Maddy!

My friend Danielle came over today and took some shots with her "portrait" lens! How cute!!!!

She really is this sweet of a kid!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is Mike's birthday, and in usual Navy style, he is out of town for it! 

We counted the other day, and he has missed his last 5 years worth of birthdays consecutively, where he is always out of town for a Navy function. So we are sending long distance hugs and kisses to him while he's away!

See you in a few days!

XOXO

Ali, Abby, Maddy

Car seat scramble!

Mike brought Maddy's car seat in the house to adjust it so she can ride facing forward, and both girls ran towards it and jumped in right away. They almost fit together.....mostly thanks to Abby's skinny butt....but it was cute! So they both now ride forward, and Maddy is probably wondering why she didn't get to watch movies in the car all this time! The joys of getting bigger!

Technology Toddlers!!!!

Kids are smart these days! Not that I'm proud of the early onset love for electronics.....but Abby can manipulate her new ipod and our smart phones, way beyond what we imagined.

 Maddy looking on as Abby does a puzzle on my phone.

Caught her lounging on the couch watching Curious George on the ipod.....Abby is a sweet big sister (and sneaky)....She grabbed it off the counter when Maddy was fussing, turned on her favorite show, and gave it to her. It is now out of her reach! But she is thoughtful!! And I love that she can use it without any help.

Rest Time!

Like two peas in a pod......sort of. Only problem is, Roxy naps more these days than Abby!

Stubborn 3 year old!!!! Lazy/neglected dog!!!!!

Maddy in January!

Maddy had a busy January! She flew to California, learned to get off furniture backwards, added "More", "Potty", and "Milk" to her sign language dictionary (already knew "All Done") and LEARNED TO WALK! Now that we are back from our trip she is a full-time walker! We are still getting used to seeing her upright.....both girls crawled for SOOO long.....it takes a while to get used to the walking, as much as I anticipated it.

 Maddy loves the fridge magnets. So cute after a bath and jammies!

HUGS!!!!

HUGS!!! Maddy loves to show affection, and even to her big sister!

Abby loves to shout and tell me when Maddy is hugging her....as if I'd miss it!

Daddy's 'Lil Girl

Maddy's full of cuddles! Daddy loves having his girls back!

Cabin Fever??

We've been home from our California trip for a week now, and the girls have returned to their indoor activities! Abby got creative this week and made a furniture snowman! She comes up with this stuff all on her own and cracks us up sometimes!

 The indoor snowman!

Another moment of boredom. The girls followed me into the kitchen, and Maddy made herself at home in Roxy's dog bed (her new favorite spot for some reason). And then Abby decided to give her a snack while she was sitting in it (dressed as a fairy of course!) Just another day in our house!!

Choo-Choo!!!!

Our final visit of the trip took us to the Lomita Train Museum. My sister and I went there with my Great-Grandparents when we were young, so it was fun to re-visit the trains and watch my daughters climb on the same trains and watch their experience.

 Sisters!

Shabbat Time!

Great-Grandma Paulette took us down to the temple on Friday for a fun "Half-Pint Havarah" kids gathering. The cantor sang songs, did a lesson on life rules, and after some playtime, the kids each made their own challah, and said the blessings!

Boat ride!!!

Probably one of Abby's favorite day trips, was the easiest ever! She got to take a ride in a dingy boat on a beautiful day in the San Pedro harbor!

 Big girl in her life vest!

 Hanging over the side to watch the water splash.....Uncle Kenny is holding her vest

 And I love how in this photo, she is holding the dog's harness! She loves Steve's new dog 'Morgan'

Down below in Steve's sailboat

Soooo SLEEPY!

After a long day visiting, I went to the kitchen to make Maddy lunch to prepare for nap time, and this is how I found her on the floor, asleep when I came back to get her! First time she has ever put herself down for a nap! (I moved her to her bed and she slept soundly for a few hours after that!!!)Baby knows best.....sometimes!!

Knotts Berry Farm

On day 7 of our trip we took the girls to Knotts Berry Farm, and Aunt Amy met us there!

The place was empty as can be so there were no lines......and practically no riders for most of them too! We were only there 3 hours, just to do Camp Snoopy, which was just right for a 3 year old!

 Maddy could only ride a few, and was a very patient stroller rider!

 Driving a race car with Grandma Donna

 Pumping her way around the track!

 Abby LOVED riding with her Aunt Amy

 Riding in the big trucks with Grandma Donna

 First Snoopy encounter! No tears, she was excited!!!

 Sisters!

 Flying High! This was the one non-adult ride, so she rode with another boy, and didn't mind a bit!

 Face painting is awesome!

 This is what Maddy did most of the day!! Worked great for us!!