A Dream Realized

Riley recently told me all she wanted for her birthday was to ride a real-live pony. Well, actually she told me she wanted a pony ride, a new outfit, some new shoes, LOTS of new Polly Pockets, a dog bed for Simon, a kitty cat bed for Rory, and a lunchbox for school next year. So you can imagine how happy she was when ONE of her birthday wishes came true very early this year! We had no idea when Brice took them to the Chili Cook Off at First Pres. today that there would be a pony ride to go along with the chili. We don't think the best chili won, but everyone enjoyed the pony rides, and Lizzie got to practice her very best "pageant" wave.

Pony Express

Check out the note that Riley wrote and mailed today to her cousin Nadine. Do you think she is excited about Nadine's upcoming visit?

Swingin' Sista

Ever since Lizzie was 6 months old and big enough to go in one of those baby swings on our swing set, we have tried to introduce her to the world of back and forth. Every time we deposited her into the swing, she would start screaming until she eventually would hyperventilate. To put it mildly, she did not enjoy the swing. Today, we let her try a big kid swing, and the results speak for themselves. I felt like she was Forrest Gump and we were screaming "Swing Lizzie, Swing!" instead of "Run Forrest, Run!"

Christmas, Cats, and Cinderellas

We had a wonderful Christmas. We had lots of family including my parents and Brice's dad and step-mom, who all really enjoyed watching the kids discover what Santa left for them in their stockings....

...and enjoy the quiet time that the Leapsters provide. We all had fun playing the new Wii, too.
After Christmas we went to the zoo, and had a very up-close and personal visit with the jaguar. Riley kept saying he was licking the glass because he was lonely. Or... hungry.

And in the lazy days before school started back, the girls enjoyed some of their new dress up.
Riley actually said "presenting Lizzie" before this picture was taken.... although she doesn't look like it Lizzie really did enjoy most of this process.