Showing posts with label Annette. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Annette. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Sheepishly Emerging from Blog Silence

I know. I know. Horrifyingly delinquent on the blog. Work has taken over my life. What's that they say about establishing a good work/family balance? I'm usually relatively successful, but new responsibilities at work have left me reeling. In a good way, of course.

There's been a lot going on in the last couple of weeks. Dora traveled to Western Mass for a weekend of fellow horse people. I do love that she has the opportunity to spend time with people whose eyes don't glaze over when she talks horses. Then the next weekend she was in good ol' New Jersey for work.

We spent a couple of weeks furiously preparing for Thanksgiving. It's always an excuse to do the things we don't ever get around to. Like, for example, alphabetizing the spice cabinet. My mother is very proud. I know Dora often wishes that my mom's organizational genius didn't skip a generation. Sorry dear. Mary and Bob were in town for Thanksgiving, and it was a wonderful, though busy, few days.

Before I get to the Thanksgiving post, I figured we should catch up on the previous couple of weeks in pictures.

Arden and I have spent a fair amount of time shopping recently. It's not a very good thing when it comes to our bank account, but hey, a girl needs winter accessories to match her new coat! She did try to talk me into some new wrapping paper and a fake pumpkin. She was unable to will me into it.

Jazz hands!
Another new purchase....the Shark 2 in 1 Steam Vac. I should not be allowed in Bed Bath and Beyond. I somehow managed to walk out with just this, which was a planned purchase. I think we've decided we like the machine. We have a giant Bissell steam cleaner that, though it does a good job, it's ridiculously awkward to pull out for a quick cleaning of the floor. We bought this specifically to deal with the fancy new white tile in the new (still unfinished) bathroom, but I love to have it to do a quick cleaning of the kitchen.



We have spent a lot of time scootering. It's getting colder by the minute, but we try to take advantage of the weather when we're not facing sub zero temps. She finally mastered the scooter, and I no longer panic for her life while she's on the thing. That said, she will never scooter without a helmet. Ever.


Ah, fresh air brings out the cheerful girl



Since my last post, she started swim lessons! Folks, you are seeing it here first....future Olympian and possessor of a full ride to Stanford. But really, she loves it and so do we. Her class is 30 minutes once a week. Once the winter session starts we'll likely enroll her in two of the classes.


While Dora was away Arden and I went to see Megamind. We went to Chunky's for dinner and a movie, which is such a fabulous option.


The next night we met up with Annette and Mandy for a 'Girls Night Out'. Arden scootered up and down the harbor for about 1.5 hours. That's the USS Constitution in front of her. History lessons abound!



And down the hill....with two feet off the ground!


With Nettie


One can only get so artistic with the iPhone, particularly at night, but Boston at sunset is almost as spectacular as Boston at night.



Someone is ready for a visit from the man in the red suit. This was pre-Thanksgiving.



Rockin' the new George pjs and slippers. And her 3D shades, of course.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

A Day Out With The Girls

Annette captured some great photos from her day with Arden at the Highland Games.

We got some great pics from today's big birthday surprise for Sabrina, but we're borrowing Mandy's camera and don't have the cord to transfer the pictures. We had a genius idea to try to use on of our old cameras to them off ... but it was too good to be true. Soon enough, I hope :-).

With a large black bear....

They stretched a penny....


A free spirit in the middle of NH


Flower child


Waiting in line to jump far too high in the air...


Ready....



Set....


GO!


Adding yet another sword to her collection



Fierce


Stabbing her Aunt


And her Aunt's friend...



Aerial view


Extreme close up


Strawberry ice cream for dinner!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Brusha Brusha Brusha

We closed out the week with a trip to the dentist. Arden was the picture of perfection...as were her teeth. She chose chocolate toothpaste and bubblegum fluoride. Mmmm good.

Arden is spending today at the Highland Games with Annette. We originally thought we'd need Annette to watch her today because I had a work thing and D has to help ... process chickens (no more Perdue for us!). My work thing was cancelled but Annette offered to take her anyway because she knows she'll enjoy it. This leaves me to clean and finish trip prep, and spares the child the oh so dreaded trip to the CSA. Everybody wins!

A couple of pictures from yesterday's dental festivities!

Watching the hygenist.....


A cool customer.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Gymnastics Show 2010

This weekend was Arden's stage debut. Her school, Interstate Gymnastics and Dance, put on a fantastic show. The whole thing far exceeded my expectations. Another feather in their cap, and another reason I'm so glad we live so close to such a wonderful place.

I have some pictures from before and after, but we'll have to wait for Auntie Nette to sent me whatever photos she took since our camera is still broken and we were limited to the iPhone. We did get a video, and someday we'll figure out how to get it uploaded. Arden had an absolute blast, I don't think she stopped jumping around and dancing for 30 minutes after the show ended.

We were so happy that Nonna and Annette came to see her perform, and I spent the entire time she was on stage in tears. No question she'll go back in the fall!

Her routine was to the Squeakquels "Single Ladies".

Before the show ... I call this "FIERCE"

Showing off her curls!


Ever so excited to be going on stage this afternoon!

Post show, with her medal! I think that's the stance of a real gymnast, don't you?



With Nonna!



Showing off her flowers and medal

More of the same, because she's just that cute.



Too many cameras to look at



If you like it then you should have put a ring on it...


Post gymnastics show dinner at Arden's choice...Cracker Barrel. Nonna had never been before and she loved it. Well, once she got over the price of a cup of hot tea...$1.69! "I'll just have water." (disclaimer, we ordered her hot tea against orders not to. we decided we could splurge for the 93 year old, just this once)