Hats

When we go outside to these days it is nearly impossible to get Zora to keep a hat on her head (or mittens on her hands for that matter). She is forever trying to pull them off. We have one that ties under her chin that deters her a bit but she manages to get that one off too sometimes. But one of her favorite things to do when we are inside is to put on our hats and walk around the house, sometimes with the hat pulled completely over her face. She seems to think it is pretty funny. And so do we of course, which only encourages her.

Her other favorite thing to wear around the house these days is her winter jacket. She brings it over and insists we put it on her. And zip it up. And if we try to take it off, she screams. It's not cold in our house either. Not even close. We have little control over the heat in our place and half the time during the winter we have windows open because it gets so warm. So this week when she was sick with a high fever and was insisting on wearing her winter jacket over her fleece pjs, I finally had to hide the jacket.

Artist club

I mentioned in an earlier post that Owen is really enjoying doing art projects lately and that he started an "artist club" with Ken. Well, here is a shot of him at artist club. Waiting for inspiration to strike, apparently.

Holidaze

I think I'm finally coming out of the post-holiday fog and trying to get caught up. I can't believe January is more than half over. And of course, I still haven't mailed our Christmas/New Years/looking more like Valentines cards yet. So I thought I'd finally post a few pictures from Christmas and our quick trip to Michigan for my Dad's 70th birthday. We had a wonderful Christmas. With Ken and I working opposite schedules we so rarely have a day when we are all at home and many of the days when we are, there is a list of chores to do and errands to run. But Christmas day we were all home with nowhere to go and nothing to do but hang out and be together. It was really the best gift I could get. I know that probably sounds cheesy, but I mean it. I can't explain how nice, relaxing and peaceful it felt to all just be.

Reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" on, well, the night before Christmas.

Cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer.

Ready for bed on Christmas Eve - they look ready to sleep, right?

Christmas morning - finally!

The Sunday after Christmas we headed to Michigan for my Dad's 70th birthday (which was Christmas Day). Everyone was able to make it - all my siblings, all the spouses, all the kids - 10 cousins in all. The last time all of us were together was when Owen was 10 months old. It was fun to see all the kids together. Owen had a great time with his cousins and Zora loved trying to keep up with all of them. She is the youngest of the 10 cousins and 1 of only 2 girls - my niece Delaney is the other girl and the oldest of the cousins. In between the 2 girls there are 8 boys between 3 and 10.

The whole gang.

Showing our true colors.

Zora with me and G.G.

With Grampa and Grandma Carol. Owen had a great time with Reece. This kid NEEDS a dog.

Fun in the snow with the Byron Center cousins.

Owen, Ryan and Keagan - hard to believe they actually slept.

Owen, Grammy and Zora.