Dentist Veteran

You might not guess it from this particular photo, but we had lots of good news today!

1) A crippling ice storm will miss our city. No power is rough. I can't imagine doing it in the cold. Remember this week?

Living Without Power

#2) Our taxes. For the 1st time in our 15 years of filing, we just might get a refund. It's also the 1st year since I was 16, that I didn't get a W-2. Kinda weird.

Check the new flex-tiara. It helps anchor the Valentine's kitchen towel.

#3) Dentist! Another great report from the Dentist today. One good thing about multiple trips to the dentist...she's totally comfortable. In fact, she was acting like a grizzled veteran today. She flashed a smile to the receptionist and discussed preschool with Dr. Yang. I really can't express how much we love this office. Everyone seems to enjoy what they do. I'm so thankful we found Dr. Yang and her awesome staff.

I found this dress for $15.00 today at TJ Maxx. We're all about turning Spring clothing into winter outfits...so I bought this dress in a size 7.

The ever-patient, Woofy. (I mean Baxter) At night, he brings all his "babies" to someone. We refer to Baxter's various treasured toys as, "babies." Sometimes, he brings the collection to us. I wake up to 3 or 4 well-chewed cat toys...he prefers the ones with sticks attached. It's so cute when he's dragging the sticks along our floor at 3 am. Sometimes, he picks Dev. I'll find all the toys outside of her bedroom door in the morning.

Her appt. today involved x-rays, cleaning and filling repair. We took a well-deserved trip to the family owned toy store, just around the corner from the office. She chose a portable thing, which is good for trips.

Snow Day!

It doesn't take much in our city to get a snow day. In fact, schools were closed before it ever started snowing. But, they were right....this time. It snowed most of the day on Tuesday, giving Dev and I a chance to enjoy the flakes.

Devin's 2nd home....the tennis club.

Do you think she was sick of me practicing with my new lens?

(I love the details in captures in her hair)

Twinkling Into 2011

Happy New Year! I'm not sure where 2010 went, but my Yo Gabba Gabba calendar is history. (This year it's Yoga Cats...thanks to Gma and Gpa!)

Santa brought a Cotton Candy Machine this Christmas, so we busted it out the other day while playing, "Fair." Yes, nothing brings back the memories of hot summer days spent at the pool and the State Fair like homemade cotton candy.

Yesterday, she used that fake snow material to make pretend cotton candy. It involved a lot of markers on fleece and cutting. (Which was a ginormous mess) But, it looks real and is better for teeth:)

This picture depicts 2 cherished gifts...Devin's Twinkle Toes and my new lens!

Apparently, there's a bit of a learning curve. I chose this lens: Canon 85 mm f/1.8 It's a medium telephoto lens, ideal for portraits and low-light indoor shots. (I never, ever use the flash)

This was gymnastics class yesterday...she was moving super-fast and I thought it did a good job of stopping the action and her face is crisp. (The lens has an ultrasonic motor and is lighting fast)

We spent last week with Gma and Gpa and the whole family! Everyone. In one house. For those of you keeping score at home:

We had 11 humans (8 adults and 3 children), 2 dogs (100 lbs. each) and 3 cats. So, there weren't too many dull moments.

Her cousins painted pirate treasure boxes.

The basement poles made for some excellent twirling.

For posterity, I captured Gpa performing his last act as an attorney. (Helping a family friend with his Will) After 30 years, Ray gets to be a stay-at-home Gpa! We expect lots of baking, Sudoku solving, Scrabbling and Rosetta-Stoning!

Uncle Carson:)

Carson and Catherine's beautiful, 'Winnie."

And, finally...the Hostess with the Mostest! This lady cranked out a full Ham dinner for 15, Turkey dinner the next night and then hosted a party for 50+ folks.

NO paper plates, NO plastic cups and NO caterer.

Take that, Martha Stewart.

(See how my new lens perfectly blurs my husband stuffing his face with caramel corn)