Snow! Our first "big" snowfall was a few weekends ago... we didn't waste any time getting the girls into their snowpants to play outside!

Note Maggie's face here- she was super mad that I had her come out of the snow to try and take a picture on the porch!

Lighten' Up Downtown

Last year, on the Friday evening after Thanksgiving, there was a super fun event in downtown Kenosha called Lighten' Up Downtown. Shops were open late, carolers were on the street, and various stores had different crafts, etc for the kids- all for FREE (our favorite kind of entertainment!) In short- we had a really great time and were excited to hear that they were doing it again this year, and it was going to bigger and better than last year! So... we bundled up the babes and headed out. And, well, it was not so great. A little disappointing actually. There was hardly anyone downtown, the "crafts" were not so kid-friendly, and there was not a single Christmas caroler to be found. The upside to all of this? There was hardly anyone else on the trolley and we actually got a chance to talk to Santa! We didn't have to "share!"

Here's some pictures....

Maggie writing her letter to Santa

Lucy wrote a letter, too!

One of Santa's elves!

Decorating cookies at Frank's

Lucy, too!

Us!

Mmmm... sprinkles!

Taste-testing!

 Punching out snowflakes at the paper shop

 Brrrr!

 Maggie and Santa

 Lucy was not so fond of Santa this year!

Gramma, Papa, and the girls!

Let's try again....

So- my goal to post a BUNCH of blogs last night backfired after only one post and a locked up computer. So, let's try again....

My goal is at least TWO tonight!

Lucy's New Hangout

One night, Lucy got busy cleaning out the corner cabinet where we store the girls' puzzles. It took her quite some time and she work diligently until the entire thing was E-M-P-T-Y. Why you might ask? Well, it's a great hiding place, of course!

 Hard at work....

 Hmm.... she fits pretty nicely!

 So proud!

Maggie fits, too!

I know it's a little dark, but the giggles are unmistakable!

This was seriously an hour of fun for them!

A little behind... Sorry! Let's see how many blogs we can post while the girls nap this afternoon. Where did we leave off? Let's see.... Ah, Thanksgiving. This year was a "small" Thanksgiving at Gramma's house- there was only about 10 of us (even though Gramma cooked enough food for 30!) Dad even came home early from an uneventful week of hunting to join us!

 Mmmm! Aunt Kath and Uncle Dan brought gingerbread men!

 So excited!

 Maggie was excited about her cookie, too!

Perfect Thanksgiving shirts- they said "My Grandma makes teh best turkey!"

Miss Arissa's Wedding!

In the middle of October, Maggie got to be Gramma's guest to the wedding ceremony of a family friend. Maggie was so excited to see "Miss Arissa" (Marissa) get married!

On a related note- Marissa is my hairdresser. Over the weekend, I got my hair done and Maggie asked if I went to "Miss Arissa's shop by Kohl's." I explained to her that Marissa works at a new shop now, closer to our house. She replied, "Oh, she must've retired from that other place."

  

 This is why her dad calls her "picket fence teeth!"

 So excited! She said, "Momma, why don't you take a picture of my whole dress?" Sure, Maggie. Whatever you say!

An Afternoon at the Park

We have been extremely blessed this fall with absolutely amazing, mild weather (well, except for that freak tornado yesterday afternoon!) Because Lucy takes a short, 20 minute catnap at daycare before I pick her up, she is usually "recharged" and ready to roll until about 2:00 in the afternoon. So.... we have been taking advantage of the amazing weather- heading outside, playing at the park, and taking walks. A few weeks ago, I actually had the foresight to grab the camera on the way out. Nothing quite like pictures in natural outdoor light!

We had just spotted a hawk. Maggie thought it was pretty cool.

 Totally intent on watching that hawk! (Shortly after this picture, it started circling around.... Afraid it was going to swoop down and scoop up Lucy, we headed home!)