Winter Fun

Snow, snow, snow has been the the theme of this winter and if I'm completely honest, I really love the white stuff. Annika is learning to love it as well, though she wasn't too sure about about it being up to her waist a few weeks ago. With March nearing I'm starting to long for spring, but we have had a lot of fun being snowed in together this winter!

Christmas in California

This year we decided to pack up and spend the week before Christmas in California with my family. We braved a 5hr flight with Annika and spent an incredible week relaxing with the harbor seals by the ocean. A few of the days were rainy, but that didn't stop us from having a blast at the Monterey aquarium and watching the enormous waves. When the weather cleared, we hiked, ran around with Annika on the beach and simply enjoyed the opportunity to be outside in December. I think we have more hiking in our future because Annika couldn't get enough of running up and down the trails. She's getting to be a big girl and insisting more every day that she wants to do things on her own. As a result she hiked almost two miles by herself one afternoon. After my two trips this year, I can definitely tell why some people go to California and never leave.

Scary Santa

Maybe it is because of the snow today, but I'm realizing that it is extremely out of season to still have pumpkins on my front stoop (must remove those tonight). To top it off, my most recent blog post is about a little pumpkin, so I think I owe you an update on what we've been doing this past month:

• I turned 29 (eek! Maybe the last birthday I'll decide to celebrate?)
• I had an AMAZING time traveling to Santa Barbara, CA to run a very hilly 1/2 marathon with my dear friend Stacy as well as see the place out west that she and her husband Jonny now consider home.
• Branden, Annika and I traveled to Charlotte, NC to celebrate Thanksgiving with my sister and brother-in-law and their son, Will. Will and Annika are just a few months apart and it was so fun to see them interacting (and dream about what fun they'll have together as they continue to grow)
  

We decided that since Annika and Will were together, it would be worth trying to get a photo with Santa that we could have as a keepsake and use for gifts for family. Needless to say, Santa wasn't a hit with the kiddos. We may not use this for gifts this Christmas, but I think this photo will become a treasured keepsake for years to come...

Happy Halloween!

Fall Fun

Today was one of those unbelievably warm and beautiful fall days. Knowing that the fall colors are starting to fade and that a long grey winter is ahead, we tried to take advantage by being outside as much as possible. After church Annika spent some time playing with the pumpkins she picked out with Nana Peckenpaugh. She loves carrying them all over the yard. We also made a trip to one of our favorite playgrounds for some afternoon fun. I wish weekends never had to end...

100 Years

This weekend I traveled back to Hope College for Homecoming and to celebrate our sorority's 100th anniversary. I had a wonderful night of friends, fun and memories.

Happy 100th Delta Phi

Toddler Trouble

While we were cooking dinner tonight, we realized Annika had been quiet for a few minutes and went around the corner to find this. Sprinkles EVERYWHERE. She stole them out of the pantry and helped herself. Every day is an adventure!