Merry Christmas!!!

We had a very Merry Christmas this year, albeit an exhausting one. The girls had a great time! Megan finally got the concept of Santa (somewhat) and was really excited to ask him for a "g-tar" (a guitar for those who don't speak Megan). Kate was a bit overwhelmed, but had fun with the tissue paper and playing with her presents.

Megan opening her gift from Santa:


A "G-TAR!"



The cookies and milk are gone!


Lots of tissue paper!



Do you think this is funny? I've had a long day...


Megan watching Bubble Santa:

Can you figure it out?

Can you tell which one is Megan and which is Katelyn? We didn't do this on purpose - but when I was uploading the pictures last night it prompted me to look back. It's pretty amazing how much alike they look when they were little (although Megan was only 3 1/2 mo, and Kate is 7 mo). But they really were about the same size at that point.

So, who is who?

Picture #1

Picture #2

Christmas Tree shopping and kids playing together

No matter what we did, or said, Megan didn't believe that it was possible to have a Christmas tree on top of the car. (Even though that's how we got it home!)

But she did think that the tree branches tickled her fingers!


And Daddy showed her how to put her hands in her pockets to keep them warm:



Obligatory Stroller Picture of Katelyn at an event:



Megan messing around with the stockings. Yes, she managed to get them on all of her hands and feet by herself.

Megan and Kate playing together. Megan was showing her how to put the phone up to her ear to talk, and how to push the buttons to make music. Kate just belly-laughs whenever her big sister does anything!

Virtual Cookie Exchange

Every year my friend, Jenn does a Virtual Cookie Exchange for the holidays. This year I finally got my rear-end in gear and am participating! Wahoo!

These are the BEST chocolate chip cookies I've ever had. I can't take the credit, though. I found the recipe in the Washington Post a few years ago - it's apparently a recipe they found from Tate's Bake Shop in Southampton, NY.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
8 oz (2 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp water
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat 2 baking sheets with nostick spray oil or line them with Silpat liner or parchment paper (NOTE - I've found a Silpat works best. These are really thin, crunchy cookies that need to set up for a few minutes before moving them. Anything else I've used has smushed the cookies when I try to remove them.)

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Using a stand mixer on medium speed or a whisk and a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars, then add the water and vanilla extract. Mix the ingredients until they are just combined. Add the eggs, mixing lightly after each one. Reduce speed to low and stir in the flour mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips. Don't overmix the dough.

Using 2 tablespoons or a small cookie dough scoop, drop the cookies 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12 minutes or until the edges and centers are brown. Let the cookies sit on the baking sheets about 5 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. You can store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They also may be frozen.

Enjoy!

Katelyn is 7 months old!

She's really starting to come out of that newborn fog. She can sit up on her own now, and plays with her toys with a lot of gusto - shaking, yelling, waving things up and down, etc. She's started babbling too, which is probably the cutest noise in the whole world.....

Finally!

It only took her four months to decide to wear it, but now she dances around the house in it.

Her version of "Dancing Ballet":

SIX months old!

Are you kidding me? How did my baby get to be six months old! She's sitting up on her own now. Giggling & laughing like mad when you bounce her up and down. She's developing a little personality - she's very determined. She'll get really, really mad if you won't let her do something. And she'll pretty much do anything she can to get what she wants!

In loving memory

Thirteen years ago, she chose me at a shelter in NYC. We've been through a lot together. She had a good life and she’s been a very good kitty. She’ll be missed dearly.

Tabitha

January 6, 1995 - November 4, 2008

Halloween

Two kids, three costumes, and they didn't wear any of them. Katelyn just wore the Carter's Halloween outfit I'd bought. The Chili Pepper I bought for her didn't fit.

I bought Megan a tutu a couple of months ago, since she was putting Boppy pillows around her belly and announcing they were tutus and trying to dance. But she refuses to wear it. I then bought her a "Pumpkin Witch" costume at Target, hoping she'd wear that. At least the hat. Didn't happen.

There are a few pics of Kate with the hat, though - that was cute.

So I managed to get Megan into a leotard with a little skirt attached, tights and some costume jewelry. We brought the fairy wand I'd bought, but she wouldn't carry that either

We went trick-or-treating at the mall. Megan was hooked once she got her first lollipop! She'd say "Tic-or-teat" and get all excited. Kate, of course, just chilled in the stroller the whole time.
When we got home, Megan got to see a few trick-or-treaters come to our door. So everytime the doorbell rang, she'd yell out "Treat!" It was pretty cute!

Here are the girls in their "costumes":

Family visit & Katelyn's baptism

My parents & brother, sister-in-law and nephew came to visit for Katelyn's baptism on Oct 26th. It was good to visit with family, and Megan had a blast playing with her cousin.

National Zoo & Lisa visit

My friend, Lisa, from High School visited in mid-October. We took the girls to the National Zoo for the day. It was a beautiful day, and Megan had a blast! Her favorite animals were the Panda, Orangutan, and Elephants!

Checking out the sea lion

Watching the elephants with Lisa

Watching the Panda

Fall Festival

We all went to a Fall Festival at a local farm today! We went on a hayride and picked apples and pumpkins. It was such a beautiful day outside and everyone had a blast!

Kate the Doctor (or Vet)

Megan has apparently decided that Kate should be either a Doctor or Veterinarian when she grows up.

Megan the Daredevil

At a recent trip to a local playground, Megan decided that she loves to climb up anything:



And slide down ANYTHING: