Lauren's 3rd Birthday

Today Lauren celebrated her 3rd birthday with her friends from school at Philly InMovement, the same gym we've had Sophie's birthday for the last two years. She had a great time jumping around with her friends. At first Sophie was sad to be the only "big" kid there, but then she realized she could show everyone the ropes.

The Big (almost) 3 year old! 

Lauren & Sophie demonstrating "tree" for the group

The girls showing how a handstand is done. 

She had a second party celebration at school. In her class birthdays are a big deal. She made her own birthday hat and Sophie got to come in a visit during the celebrations. 

The birthday girl

Sister love

Thanksgiving 2015

We were down in Virginia this year for Thanksgiving. It was a big crew, as usual. Doug, Vickie, Quinn, Carley, Nana, our friends Carl, Amanda, Gianna, and Ella from North Carolina, and Aleen and Yvonne were all there.

We deep fried the turkey again this year. It think it might be the 5th or 6th year we've done that. It's always delicious. Doug was the turkey master again. I think he waits all year for this. He was out there for hours getting the oil and the turkey just right. But time worth spent because it was super tasty.

Doug lowering the turkey

The weather was amazing and we got to spend a lot of time outside. We took a few hikes and just enjoyed my parent's amazing property. It was also an opportunity to try and get a cousin picture. Alas, more failed attempts... Why they can't all smile and look at the camera at once is beyond me.

Ariana is highly skeptical of her cousins. 

Lauren has clearly had enough. 

Sophie's First Ballet Performance

Sophie and Lauren have been taking ballet for about 3 months, and Sophie had the chance to perform in the school's annual holiday performance of The 12 Days of Christmas. She was a drummer. Although she was super nervous leading up to the big day, she did a great job and had a good time. She even told me afterward that "it was pretty fun." I'll consider that a success.

Here's the little drummer girl

With her friend Rachael