Meeting a new friend

We had Christmas this weekend with my parents here at home. It was a lot of fun for all of us. Sophia was beside herself to have two people willing to read her any book as many times as she wanted. She basically gave us the cold shoulder in order to cuddle with them all morning. What do you need with mom and dad when grandma and grandpa are around? Smart kid.

Anyway, my mom and dad got Sophia a new doll. Reagan. She's a bigger baby than Sophie has seen before. She is about the size of my favorite childhood baby. So I know Sophie will love her once she gets accustomed to her somewhat imposing stature. When she opened the package, her face told the story. It was really funny. She just stared and stared. Then wanted the baby out, but wasn't quite sure what to do with her. Mom thinks part of it may be that the baby looks a little too familiar...she does look a little like Sophie. After a little warm up, Reagan got kisses, and she's been excited to see her ever since. It was just fun to watch the progression on her face. Hopefully they'll be good friends.

Mmmmm...

When you're iced in, what more is there to do? Play outside a little and come in to a warm and comforting cup of hot cocoa...with a smidge of whipped cream. Aaahhhhh.

Snow What?

This has been Sophia's first real snowfall since last year, she was just an infant. She has loved it! She giggles to herself as she looks out the car window and babbles to herself about "no." It's very sweet. I have enjoyed watching her explore it. Since it's already melting away, I had to get her in it quick to get a picture. So I snapped a few shots on the way in and out of the gym this morning. She loved playing in it. She's an outdoor girl...sometimes.

Being a One Car Family

It seems like a good idea on most days... But on the day that Sophia coughs through her 40 minute nap and wakes up looking for a fight, I wish for a way to get us out of here! It just always happens that she and I have our bad days together on the day that we don't have a way to spread the love outside the house! Lucky for everyone else. Booo for us!

It's amazing what a little outing does for her attitude, not to mention mine! Well, an outing and a large Mountain Dew. Mmmm. What I'd give for some good ol' Dew right about now - as Sophie is randomly shouting what I can only assume are toddler cuss words from her spot in front of the baby piano.

One car. Saves money. Costs sanity upon a rare occasion. Erick's coming home on his way back to work...so I can get my sanity back! :) What a nice guy.

Representin' the (573)

I'm sure you all will recall the aforementioned RAIN benefit in which Casey and I mistakenly purchased our orchids. At the same benefit, I purposely bid on and won another package, containing a couple of nice gift certificates and tickets to the Blue Note. I didn't notice until after the auction that the tickets were for a Ja Rule concert. Now, I enjoy hip hop as much as the next girl, but I didn't really know that Ja Rule was a solo artist. I only knew him from collaborations with other, more famous stars, lending his deep, raspy voice to their songs. So, imagine my surprise!

We went to the concert last night with our friends Niki and JP Harris, the coolest people we could come up with on short notice. Just kidding, of course! About which part, I won't say. Anyway, we had a lot of fun. We enjoyed watching the other concert attendees just as much as we enjoyed watching the concert. The spectrum of hip hop fans was stunning! Unfortunately, the Creaches pooped out early. Sophie will be up at 6:00 a.m. no matter what we're doing the night before! So the Harrises were kind enough to play old folks too. Plus, I have a renewed appreciation for hip hop! It really is a fun genre, but not one that I will listen to very much with a young mimic in our midst. The mind-numbing sound was just what I needed to relax. Strange, but true.

This is JP, Niki and us representin' the 573 (area code). That's right. We're cool. Oh so smooth.

Christmas Tree

We normally do things the old fashioned way...trek out into the tree farm and chop down a tree for our very own. With the weather this weekend, we decided to make a new tradition...staying dry and warm. So Erick and Sophie went out Saturday morning to purchase a lovely artificial specimen. They decided to go with a cheaper white tree, so we can use it in Sophie's room next year. We put it up and decorated it during Sophie's nap. She was so thrilled when she got up. It was sweet to see. She loves her tree and giggles every time she sees it. Sometimes, she even walks up to give it kisses before going to bed for nap or the night. Of course, she's already broken an ornament, but fortunately, we didn't spend any extra money on those this year.

We can't wait to see how her excitement just grows and grows as we get closer to Christmas. We are having so much fun preparing this celebration for her. It really does make Christmas that much more special.

And no, we didn't ask her to lay under the tree. That was her way of connecting with the tree, I suppose.

Top Ten Reasons to Stick with our Tigers

10. An 11-2 season ain't all bad.
9. Most of our team comes back next year.
8. We still have a bowl game to win. (Hopefully BCS...unless we're robbed)
7. I look great in black and gold.
6. We beat Kansas.
5. Tailgating.
4. Chase Daniel.
3. Big XII North Champs - for the first time!
2. Coach Gary Pinkel - 'nuf said
1. Sophia still loves her Tigers.