Snow Day - January 2009

We had our first snow day of 2009 on Wednesday. It snowed the weekend of Mary Anna's birthday last year but this was the first year she was walking and could "play" in it.

Los Cabos Mexico - 1/2/09 - 1/9/09

What a great way to start off the New Year with a trip to Los Cabos Mexico at a wonderful resort called the Grand Mayan (http://grupomayan.com/the-grand-mayan/los-cabos/). Mary Anna, mommy, granna and Grandpa Jim set out on Friday the 2nd with a very early plane ride! Mary Anna decided to fall asleep 30 minutes before the plane landed on both legs - but arriving to the 80+ weather made it all worth it.







That Saturday Daddy joined the group for a short vacation - him and mommy snuck out Saturday night for dinner after Mary Anna had gone to bed (thank you granna for all the baby sitting!). Would you know it Daddy found a sports bar in Lost Cabos!! On Sunday Aunt Phyllis (Didi) joined in the fun. Every one went out to eat on Sunday night at a great steak house then we all went walking in the town center.







The grand Mayan had such great pools to lounge by but a cold front came in so it was a bit chilly to get in the water for a couple of days - but this did not stop the little fish!







Most of the days where spent walking in to town, relaxing by the pool and enjoying all the good food, spirits and family!

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2008 was a fun and crazy 5 days. It started Christmas Eve afternoon over at Daddy Sam's and Momma Ruth's house with lunch and the frenzy of gift opening. Mary Anna really got in to the swing of things this year and was even trying to open others gifts if we where not looking. One of the big gifts was a princess potty - yes it is actually supposed to play a 'royal tune' when the princess uses it. So far we have not heard the tune very often but we are trying. Mom also got a Wii Fit which has told her that she has no balance!! Once all the paper had been thrown away Mary Anna was on the way to Granmommy house with her cousins Jake and Erin while Mom went to Christmas Eve service at Hope Church. After Church mom meet back up with Mary Anna and Daddy to have a great meal with the Kalb family. Of course there where more gifts exchanged and Mary Anna received a 'my first big wheel' complete with helmet! One more stop was made to the annual Robilio Christmas Eve party. Another plate of great food and visiting with friends helped us to wind the night down so we can get home for Santa.

Christmas was actually more laid back then Christmas Eve. Mary Anna went down stairs to find a new tent, shopping cart and cash register. Daddy made pancakes while we watched the Disney Christmas parade and every one had a nap before it was time to hit the road to Mississippi to grandma Carol's (Mary Anna's great-grandmother) house. Again more great food and fun with cousins. That night Granna came over to mom's house where we relaxed and enjoyed some quite time.

Mary Anna's checks out all the fun toys from Santa!

That Friday mom had to work - yuck! This is the first time in years that she did not have off the two weeks for Christmas! But after getting off of work on Friday - mom, granna and Mary Anna headed to Searcy Arkansas for the Arnholt Christmas. We got to spend the weekend with cousin Kelly, Aunt Karen (thank you for all the great pictures!), Uncle David and grandma Zette (another great-grandmother!). It was a whirlwind couple of days and we are so blessed to have some many friends and family to visit and share these holidays with. Wishing every one all the best in 2009!

Next to the Christmas tree - Mary Anna loved the bubble lights. When she wanted the tree on she would say 'bubbles'.

Mommy and Mary Anna before dinner in Searcy.


I love my cousin Kelly!

Halloween 2008

This is the Frog Prince (Gavin) for the Princess

Playgroud at school

Yum! What do we get next?
Princess hanging out waiting for Trick or Treating to begin.

Ok I am ready to go.

Sugar high at its best!!!!!

Halloween was a very busy day for the "Princess". It started with a Fall Fest party at school where all her classmates dressed up and played games outside before heading in to the classroom where the regular healthy snack was replaced with yummy treats (the first of many of the night). Right after leaving school we headed down to daddy's house to trick or treat in his neighborhood. The Princess was not really in to going door to door but was all about sitting in her stroller eating M&M's - the most chocolate she has had - ever! It was a fun time for mommy and the Princess.

Cedar Hill Farm - Hernando MS

Mary Anna and her friend Tyler went to the Cedar Hill pumpkin patch. After some playing in the big sand box we took a hay ride out to the pumpkin patch where Mary Anna found a good place to take a rest. It was getting close to lunch so the corn maze was not the best idea at the time but we all made it through before the big melt downs.

Sunday at the Zoo

Sunday at the Zoo

Mary Anna and Gavin

Even though Mary Anna was not feeling that great I thought some fresh air would be good for both of us - so we meet Jennifer, Gavin and Brooke at the zoo. I told myself before I had kids that I would never put them on a "leash" - but after trying to keep up with an 18 month old at a semi crowded zoo I tried out Gavin's new "back pack" that I like to call it now.

Mary Anna and I watching the monkeys.

Breakfast at The Arcade

Before we headed out to music class one Saturday morning Mary Anna and I meet our good friend Brooke (or brookie as Mary Anna likes to call her) at The Arcade restaurant downtown (http://www.arcaderestaurant.com/). With the fall weather the pumpkin pancakes sounded yummy to us all. Brooke also bought a real pumpkin at the Farmers Market for MA.