Happy 2nd Birthday, Addilyn!

Where did 2 years go? It's hard to believe our little girl is 2 years old today. Addilyn had a birthday party with her friends Lillie, Austin, Robbie, and Greg and ate pink princess cupcakes. The 3 of us celebrated by going to the movies for a special treat to see "The Princess and the Frog." We ate popcorn and danced to the music in the movie. It was a fun movie! We ate Panera soup for a special birthday dinner. When we got home, a birthday card came in the mail from Herky! It was such an exciting day.

Now, the terrible twos *officially* start. We can only imagine what this year will bring! We know this for sure - we will have plenty of exciting moments to share with all of you for the upcoming new year. We also know that we're in for the ride of our lives with a 2-year-old with a strong personality!

Tomorrow, our family is coming up for the Princess Birthday Bash!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Addilyn!

Bath Time!

One of the many favorite Christmas gifts this year was Tinkerbell Bubble Bath. She really makes it fun to take a bath -- can you tell by Addilyn's "excited" expressions?

Do you want me to smile, daddy?

Good try... but I'm not going to smile tonight.

Tinkerbell foreground - Addilyn background

Bath Time!

Merry Christmas 2009!

We had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family. We love each and every one of you. Christmas is the time of year to be thankful, and we have so much to be thankful for this year -- but mostly, a healthy and loving family. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Mommy, Addilyn, Daddy, Aislyn, Jennifer, John, Grandma Judy, Arista, Grandpa Bruce (L to R)

Kissing cousin McKenna

Look! Colorforms... just like mommy and daddy used to have in the '80s.

New doll house. Addilyn has to make sure everything is in it's place!

Flashlight for tents

Mega Blocks for building castles

Opening the blocks

What's this, grandma?

Grandpa Bruce and his girls

Sporting her new hat Grandma made

A Winnie the Pooh phone from Mommy & Daddy

A viewfinder (also like Mommy and Daddy used to have in the '80s)

It's snowing on Christmas Day!

Bored of the new presents already? Getting into Great Grandma Hazel's lipstick

Making a funny face at Bishops. There were no "accidents" (orange poo-poo) like Daddy did when he was a kid.

New pink coat

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas 2009!

Merry Christmas 2009!

We all hope you have a very Merry Christmas! More pictures of Christmas and Addilyn's Second Birthday to come shortly!

Merry Christmas 2009!

Making a snowman

We made a snowman! He is as tall as daddy (but much cuter)!

Making a snowman

HUGE Snow Storm!

Take a look... I even have proof! Over a foot of snow fell in our back yard last night. The streets haven't been plowed yet because the wind keeps blowing the snow back on it. Guess we're snowed in today! I would like to get over to the park to sled, but we may have to wait until this evening or tomorrow.

HUGE Snow Storm!

SNOW!

We have our first blizzard of the season! 10-16" of snow is expected by tomorrow with a Blizzard Warning out for the area. We got out there today before it got too deep and also before the cold winds start to pick up. This was Addilyn's first time sledding, and she loved it! She is a daredevil - even though the hill in front of our house is very small, it probably seems like a mountain to her at this age.

SNOW!

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Decorating the Christmas Tree

FIRE and ICE parade!

We went to the Fire and Ice parade tonight in downtown Cedar Rapids. It was a chilly 31 degrees. We saw the Grinch, Mickey Mouse, lots of lights, music, and fire trucks. We got lots of candy and a glow necklace! It was very festive, and really fun!

FIRE and ICE parade!

Cutting down the Christmas Tree

Is this tree tall enough?

Here's one! Let me help you cut it down, daddy!

Can you see me?

Cut, cut, cut!

Family picture in front of our Christmas tree

A piece of the stump to save

Cookies!

A cookie and a stump

At Menards in the snow to pick out a stocking

It's Frosty!

The Christmas season begins when we cut down the Christmas Tree! Addilyn helped daddy cut a beautiful tree down while mommy sang Christmas songs. Kirby's Christmas Tree Farm in Toddville, Iowa, has free homemade cookies and hot chocolate after you cut your tree down. It was so much fun! We are all truly in the Christmas spirit now. We finished the night at Zoey's and then off to Menards in the snow where Addilyn danced the night away to the singing Christmas tree!

Cutting down the Christmas Tree