Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Christmas Day 2012

We had a busy Christmas day with family coming to be with us in Sacramento this year.   We opened a few gifts, family arrived, opened a few more, had lunch, Cora napped and we had dessert (Apple Hill apple pie!), and just after Cora woke up it was time for for people to hit the road to get home before it was too dark (or we tried anyway!).


Her dollhouse went straight into her room while she was sleeping on Christmas Eve, but she knows it's from mom and dad - Santa is "scary" and she kinda freaked over the idea of him coming into her room at night.  So Santa just brought the stockings.

Helping Baby open her gifts Cora had wrapped for her - see the tiny doll and sweater on the floor? And they're opening a dolly sling so Cora can wear her. It was pretty cute with her and Baby together and her telling Baby about the items.

Opening stockings - the bath toy bugs and net were a big hit!  And Tony is looking at an orienteering accessory he had asked Santa for.

Have to make sure everything is out of the stocking!

Showing Daddy her gnomes!

Her first set of markers went into use right away! Santa knew just what she wanted!

Modeling her new robe while showing us the floating bath tub bugs.

Cora's Cathy over visiting Christmas morning. Cora's showing off the bugs again.

Daddy opening his helicopter - Cora's ready to go try tit out outside! Sadly, it lasted about 5 minutes before it was lost to misadventure. :(

Cookware from Auntie Norma!

Trains from Auntie Barbara!

The trains halted gift opening since Daddy and Cora had to play with them right away! 

Very serious business trains are.


Grandma Sharon opening a gift while Great Grandma Yolanda and Cora watch.

Cora was very into the recorded book! She giggled at the into page every time with her name in it!


Papa opening his gifts!

Loving on her new panda from Norma!

The Foppianos! Grandma Sharon, Great-Grandma Yolanda, and Uncle Ernie - glad they could come join us for the day!

Cranky post nap Cora.

End of the day!

Daddy and Cora having a cuddle on the couch after everyone left.




Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas 2012!

Wishing all our loved ones a joyous holiday and wonderful, healthy, New Year! Merry Christmas!



Sunday, December 23, 2012

Making Christmas Cookies with friends

Tony was working in the days leading up to Christmas so we did lots of activities with friends, including making and decorating cookies. Can you tell they had a serious creative process going on? 

Pretty tasty fun!  











Tony

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Naming a baby

So for the first time Cora has given a baby doll an actual name, at 3 years and 1 week old.

We've had Polar Bear "Puppy", "Quack Quack," and "Baby", but this week a friend gave her a beautiful handmade doll and she named it "Sarah". No idea where that came from since I don't think she knows anyone with that name, but the name has stuck. Sarah she is!


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving and a 2nd birthday celebration

After her friends party in Sacramento, we celebrated her birthday again on Thanksgiving with Papa and Gram.  We also decorated Papa's Christmas tree, had yummy food, and opened another round of gifts!

Placing ornaments on the tree

Reaching WAY high up to get it in just the right spot.


Another round of "Happy Birthday"

Blowing out the candle

Unwrapping gifts

Playing tea party with her gift from Papa


Cheers!

Loving her cozy jammies from Auntie Barb

All cozied up and ready for bed and visions of sugarplums dancing in her head!

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Cora's Turning 3! Let's have a party!

We had another great at home birthday party for Cora - this time having dinner, balloon animals, cake, and of course chocolate mousse! We tried to tie in all her favorite things - friends, food, fruit, ravioli, rainbows, balloons, pinwheels, mousse - you name it!

The birthday girl all dressed and ready to party!


Cora's artwork over the mantle and a Happy Birthday pennant banner.

Detail on the rainbow rice vases and fab working pinwheels!  Also notice the purple giraffe Tony made on the left :)

Snack table, more pennants and pinwheels.

A butterfly landed in my wreath!

Rainbow rice pre-play...notice the nice distinct colors.

Rainbow felt wall...actual creations! He told me is it was some character I'd never heard of.

Rainbow pieces were more popular as confetti with the 3 and under crowd, but popular none the less!

And the rice all mixed up. Tony had to dis-assemble some toys, which were not intended for rice play, to get it all out :/

The cake~

After she blew out the candle she went in for a lick! Twice!  Then we push the cake away, but that's where the whipped cream on her chin and hands came from.

And her favorite chocolate mousse!

She's really into chocolate mousse. Like her whole face in it to lick it out of the glass!

Opening gifts with a balloon necklace.


 Giving "thank you" for my gift  hugs.