January Snow

Isabel is definitely my child. She just loves the snow. We had our second snow storm of the season last weekend, and after her nap she climbed onto her red chair in the playroom, looked out the window, then looked at Geoffrey and said "play in the snow?" So we suited her up and she went out with Geoffrey while he shoveled the driveway. My snow pants aren't exactly fitting these days, so I stayed on the porch and snapped a few pictures before I got too cold. Isabel had been outside for about 30 minutes before I had to bribe her to come back in. Her face was getting very red and chapped, and it was time for her to warm up. She finally came back to the front steps after I promised we'd have a warm treat - hot chocolate...although she wasn't very impressed and opted for normal white milk.

Sunday it was back outside to play in the snow again. Since it had stopped snowing I ventured off the porch and was at least able to capture this one picture where she was looking at me. I'm guessing that we'll be heading out into the snow again over the next couple of days, as we get covered in another 12-30 inches, depending on who you ask.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

This video is for the Grandmas (and of course Grandpas) who have been hearing for a few weeks now about Isabel's new found love of "singing." I'm not sure we have a future singing sensation on our hands, but I'm glad that she enjoys singing as much as I do (and I certainly don't have the gift either).

If you are wondering about the large knife, don't worry, it is plastic and Isabel was busy cutting a creation with play do while we caught her musical debut on video.

First Trip to the Air & Space Museum

I've been bad about blogging. I have no excuses except that I'm busy growing little Mia and prepping for her arrival, while soaking in all the one-one-one time I can get with Isabel, before she has to learn to really share. I'll keep the words brief, but am going to try and get up some of the pictures from January.

Geoffrey took Isabel to the Air & Space Museum for the first time on the 8th of January. She had a great time, but wasn't too interested in posing for pictures. She enjoyed riding on the metro, although with such a long ride there and back, and a 12:00 nap time, they didn't get to spend as much time there as Geoffrey had hoped.

Christmas 2009

We spent a wonderful Christmas here at home in Vienna, and were once again joined by Grandma & Grandpa Schaeffer, along with Unc and Uncle Eric for all the Christmas festivities. As usual there was cooking baking and decorating, pierogi making, and lots of fun with Isabel mixed in with more good food. We took a crazy amount of pictures and these are my favorites that jumped out at me during my first pass in iphoto. Warning - there are a lot of pictures, but I'm hoping with the quantity that the pictures will do most of the talking for me.

Christmas Eve Morning

The Myers - Schaeffer - Buescher wheel of baby swiss tradition continues...

Isabel was napping during the main cookie decorating, so we saved a few for her to do after she woke up.

I'm not sure who is having more fun with the turtle puppet...Unc or Isabel.

Our Ukrainian Feast. This year I decided that we should dine on my grandmother's china for Christmas Eve, since she was person Ukrainian and kept this tradition going.

Christmas Eve dessert would not be complete without cookies and milk. Isabel insisted on drinking her milk from a Santa mug.

Christmas Day

Isabel ignored or didn't seem to care about all the presents that had appeared during the night. She was more interested in pointing out her favorite ornaments. It worked out well as we were able to wait for Unc and Uncle Eric to arrive, and then enjoyed a nice breakfast followed by the present opening.




Eric modeling his new snuggie.
Isabel kept chanting "help help" while trying to shove the handle to her shopping cart in anywhere she thought might work.
Luckily it didn't take long to put together and she was ready to take off through the house.

Uncle Eric demonstrating the proper stick horse riding technique.

Unc thought it was time for Isabel to receive her first set of golf clubs.




I have to say that I think Unc and Uncle Eric were the shining stars of Christmas. After Isabel had opened all her tree presents and discovered the play kitchen (passed on by Aunt Megan - thank you!), Isabel was taken to the play room, which had been overtaken but a clubhouse, tunnel, tent and another tunnel combo. It is insane, and luckily all but the clubhouse are easily taken down. She had a blast climbing through the maze and the fun has continued.

Eric thought he'd have no problem crawling through the tunnel. HE made it out, but barely...

No Christmas dinner with the Schaeffers is complete without the plate of black olives and gherkins. Isabel really enjoyed having the olives placed on her fingers and eating them that way.

Not a Christmas shot, but since Geoffrey was behind the camera for almost all of Christmas, I later realized I didn't have any pictures of him with Isabel or us as a family. Oops, mental note to self for Christmas 2010. Must take at least one family photo.

The day after Christmas we were joined by Uncle Peter for a quick visit. Isabel really took to him and enjoyed bringing him some food she cooked. Peter was pretty amused by his "princess steak"...a mini steak served on a pink princess plate.

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that 2010 is off to a great start. We've been working on small things around the house, and of course getting Mia's room ready. We painted both Isabel and Mia's rooms this past weekend and I'm hoping to have all the decorating/preparation done by the end of January.

Happy 2010!