Merry Christmas!

Dave and I flip flop families for Christmas, so this year we were down in Va. with my family. My cousins from Long Island, Brittany & Brandon, and my aunt Pam also came down. They used to come down years ago and it was good to spend the holiday with them again. Sophie got a lot more into it this year, but was a little overwhelmed with all of the presents. She was excited for about the first 3-4 and then started to lose it, and so Dave and I ended up opening up the rest of hers.

 Coming down the stairs to see if Santa came

Santa did indeed come! She raced toward the stack of presents under the tree. And loved the wooden rocking chair from her Great Grandma!

Brandon also helped open her presents.

With Brandon & Brittany later in the day

Reading with Brittany

The whole family!

(more) Home Construction

We've been in our house about 3 1/2 years and are finally getting out bedroom redone. It was time the shag carpet and track lighting came down - sorry 1974.

Here's a shot of the custom closets going in. Very exctied!

 And the finished product! Benson has already made himself at home :)

Santa

This weekend we went to a family holiday party at the Union League and Santa was there. While Sophie was thrilled with all of the big blow up characters, she was less than thrilled to sit on Santas lap.

Batting 0 for 2 in getting her to smile while sitting on Santa's lap.

However, as soon as we got her sitting next to a stuffed bear, she perked right up. Note to self for next year: bring a teddy bear :) 

Our Christmas joy!

Sophie in the Car

We turned Sophie's car seat around a few weeks ago and now she's much happier. She's also getting better at entertaining herself. Here are two videos I took this weekend. The first is her singing her own rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - click here; and in the second she's reading outloud from a book of Eastern wisdom (so deep) - click here. 

Halloween

Sorry for the delay in getting these pictures up. We had a great Halloween with a whole weekend of activities. On Saturday we went to a Halloween party at the Union League and Sophie the butterfly had a great time!

 Her and Dave under one of the huge blow-up decorations

 They had a DJ and all fo the kids were on the floor doing different dances. Sophie wasn't entirely sure about what was going on, but had fun anyway.

Then she decided to get in the middle of the circle for the Hokie Pokie. Not a wall flower this one.

Unfortunately the pictures I took on actual Halloween were accidentally deleted :( We did get some video though, so will try and upload that soon to the YouTube Channel. We went trick or treating on our block and two others and after a few houses Sophie got the idea of what it was all about pretty quickly. Although we got her to say "trick or treat" inside our house, she wouldn't say it when we knocked on people's doors. She also wanted the instant gratification of eating the candy right away, so we came home with a lot of candy bars with bite marks. All in all a fun night.

Pumpkin Picking

This weekend we all took Friday off for a little "staycation." Friday we went to the Camden Aquarium, Saturday pumpkin picking at Linvilla Orchards and Sunday to Morris Arboretum. What a great time all around!

Here Sophie is enjoying her very first candy apple (candied, dipped in chocolate and rolled in nuts - how can you not like that?). We took a hayride through the different fields at Linvilla Orchards. Later we did some veggie picking and got a whole box of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants (and will now be eating a lot of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants).

 At the Morris Arboretum they have this thing called the Squirrel Scramble - essentially a huge net high in the trees. It was pretty cool, but also a little unearving. Sophie thought it was a huge trampoline.

 Stopping to smell the roses.

I've finally figured out how to get her to smile for pictures. I just ask her to "show me your teeth." Hoepfully this trick will last long enough to get through the Holiday picture taking season. 

Columbus Day

Sophie had off from school today so I took her to the zoo this morning. This is the third time that she's been and she was definitely more into it this time than the others. She knew most of the animals and the sounds they make - although she was getting the sheep and goats confused.

We went to the petting zoo area where she got to brush a goat. I'm happy to report she was much more careful with the goat than she is with Benson. 

She also went for her first pony ride and loved it! It's tough to get such a good smile out of this kid. Riding lessons in her future perhaps? 

Danielle & Mike's Wedding

On September 9th Dave's cousin Danielle and her husband Mike got married (again!). They were married by a Justice of the Peace a few years ago, but wanted to have a big wedding too.

Danielle with Kathy - what a proud aunt!

I love this picture. Sophie & Danielle sharing a special moment.

 Sophie and Shannon, Danielle & Mike's daughter, had a blast! They ran around and danced all night. I dont' think Sophie has gone to sleep so quickly once she was in her car seat. Here it looks like the hug might be a bit too tight...

Shannon helped show her the ropes all night

Starting at Greene Towne School

Last week Sophie started preschool at Greene Towne School. The school is about 10 blocks from our house, and one of her classmates lives down the block from us, so we've been walking in together. So far Sophie seems to really like it. A day of play, who wouldn't? (although since it's Montessori, they call it "work".)

Here are a few shots from her first day.

18 Month Check-up

It's hard to believe Sophie is a year-and-a-half old! We took her to her 18th month check up recently and she weighs 28 lbs and is 32.5 inches tall. That puts her in the 75th percentile for height and the 95th for weight (and over 100 for head circumference - must be that big brain!).

Bye Bye Candice

Well, in just a few weeks Sophie will be starting preschool at Greene Towne School and that means that Candice won't be taking care of her anymore. We're sad to see her go, but so thankful for what a big part of Sophie's life she's been. We'll miss you Candice!

Sophie the Swimmer

Sophie recently started swim lessons. She goes to the local YMCA on Saturday mornings. At the first lesson she was a little nervous and hung on to Dave, but since then she's been a little fish. She really loves being in the water and kicks and splashes around.

Getting our instructions from the teacher.

Sophie's First Regatta

This past weekend we did a regatta from Avalon to Cape May. Kathy and the Daves did the actual sailing, while Sophie and I did more of the lounging and taking in the sights. All in all, everyone had a great time. 

Sailor Sophia

Dave and his little sailor

Future crew for sure

Spoon Please

Sophie is starting to get the hang of feeding herself with a spoon. The food doesn't always make it successfully into her mouth - but she's getting there. Which frees up our hands to do other things. Ah... independence (sort of).

She's really into spinach right now. Not sure how long it'll last, but we're enjoying it while we can.

Very proud of herself.

4th of July

Sophie and I spend Fourth of July weekend in Ocean City again this year. The Coughlins and Rainers got an amazing house, and we also celebrated Doug's 50th birthday! 

My cousin Holly and her son, Cameron, came to visit a few days before the 4th. Here Carly was entertaining them with Wheels on the Bus. A Sophie favorite. 

 Becky, Sophie & me

 Carley and Quinn playing with Sophie in the water. She loved the water and the sand. 

 Sophie's first bike ride! 

Me, Julie & Vicki

 Sophie digging in the sand. She loved it. And it got everywhere. 

The family picture for Doug's 50th birthday in the infamous "Wicked Hardcore" shirts.