B-Day Boy

We don't get to see Dave a lot so we spoiled him on his birthday.

Leah and Emily put streamers all over the house.

Dad made Prime Rib, and we had garlic potatoes.

We also went antiquing in Fredericksburg. Not so much for David I guess. They did stop at McWendys for lunch, which made for a really funny story.

The Carrier sibs went to see Jersey Boys together from David's birthday and Lisa's Christmas gift to Emily. We had a good time.

Miss you Dave and Emily!

Family Time

I love the week between Christmas and New Year's, mainly because you get to enjoy a lot of family time.

Hitting the after Christmas Target sales.

Eating out.

Leah sporting curly hair (Lisa did it) and sticker earrings (from Lisa).

Hanging out on Leah's bed.

Leah was often caught gazing at Uncle David, and it was so cute to hear her call out Auntie Em! Both girls loved all the attention and getting to know their aunts and uncle better.

Christmas Day

After enjoying a beautiful Christmas program at church, we all immediately got back in our comfy clothes to open more gifts.

Honestly, the girls would have been happy with just the stocking stuffers.

They were so excited opening each gift, and they were thrilled when we took them to see the play kitchen downstairs.

We love the kitchen, because there are two sides for them to use.

Leah organized all the food in the fridge, and Sarah would move piles of dishes from the kitchen to her baby stroller and back again.

During Sarah's nap, Lisa, Emily, Leah, and I made gingerbread houses. Leah's turned out the best. Granted she had all the good stuff, while we used Raisin Bran.

We took naps.

And Sophie snuggled up with her new squeaky toy.

We also skyped with the Stathis' later that afternoon.

It was a wonderful day.

Christmas Morning

It was perfect.

Girls got up around 7.

We opened our stockings, and then got ready for church.

It was fun having my family here to enjoy it with us. Every bed and couch was full. It was fun!

We missed David's family. All of them were out West this year. His parents were in Arizona with his two sisters.

Christmas Eve

We celebrated Christmas at our house with my family.

The girls loved having so much time with Aunt Lisa, Auntie Em, and Uncle David.

On Christmas Eve, we went to the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Ate Christmas Eve dinner.

Acted out the nativity.

Leah was loving all the Christmas traditions.

Day with Daddy

Leah spent the afternoon with David.

We met up with him after work, and they walked around in Old Town, Alexandria, rode the trolley, and then took the train home.

Sarah and Soph

She sure loves that pup.

Fifteen Month Stats

Height: 31 inches, 75th percentile

Weight: 19 pounds, 5th percentile

November

Wow, where did it go? I remember it being busy...

...and counting down the days until Thanksgiving so we could take a break from life.

We went to a beautiful lake house with David's parents.

There was no Internet, spotty cell phone service, no cable TV, and no streetlights.

It was awesome and very relaxing.

Here are some pictures to show what the girls did in November.

Morning walks with G&G Carrier. Leah looks for treasures.

Playing downstairs. They love pushing their babies and eating snacks.

Rolling up the rug in the living room and jumping over it or sitting on it. Leah also likes to put her legs under it like a blanket.

This was in December, but awesome. We went to a Christmas Parade in Middleburg, VA. They had a horse and hound parade that was pretty cool.

I might do a separate post about it...maybe. The girls liked watching everyone while they ate their snacks.

Halloween

Funny glasses

Princess on a swing.

Sarah didn't love the costume at first.

She got used to it thought and wouldn't let go of her pumpkin.

Leah knew right away that she wanted to be a princess, and she didn't like any of the store-bought costumes.

So she basically wore her everyday pink with a crown and wand.

It was a really warm night, and we had a good time making our way around the neighborhood.

Even though Leah really loved getting the candy, she liked handing it out even better.

She liked seeing all the costumes.

The leg

Sarah started walking on a Thursday and took a big fall on Sunday night.

By Wednesday after doctor visits and X-rays.

We were at the orthopedic's office to get a cast for two weeks.

Leah picked out the green cast.

It worked perfectly with her pumpkin costume.

Toddling

Sarah's been taking a few steps here and there for the past few weeks, and she is gaining more and more confidence each day.









Sarah is at such a fun age.

She babbles a lot, and she is really good at saying mama and DAda. She also tries to say Sarah, Leah, and Doggie. They all pretty much sound like Dada.

She waves all the time, and loves waving at strangers.

She scrunches up her nose and gives a huge smile when you say cheese.

She loves putting on her own shoes and socks.

Leahisms

Before I forget:

Crispie - Frisbee
Shama Poo - Winnie the Poo
Emalade - Lemonade

She also says, "me think" a lot, and I have found her a couple of times mimicking me while talking to Sarah or other littler kids. She'll say things like, "look at me" or "I can't hear you" or "Are you tired baby?"

She is so grown up. Her favorite hobby other than swinging is shopping. She is content going from store to store running errands.

She loves picking out her own clothes, and she stopped dead in her tracks at the mall the other day to admire a kiosk full of sparkly jewerly and then said, "Mom, I really, really like the pink one."

Welcome Sophie

Of all the girls here, she is by far the least dramatic.

Unless you happen to be flying with her. Then, all there is to say is good luck!

Sophie climbed out of this bag during the first flight with Lisa.



Lisa had to take a cab to Walmart to buy a duffle bag for the second flight.

Sophie scratched her way out, and Lisa wouldn't even talk about it when we met her in the airport. Luckily the flight attendent was more lenient.



As soon as we made it home, Sophie was as happy and very comfortable. Our girls were super excited. Leah was all giggles, and Sarah pointed and kicked wildly.



She likes to sleep here most of the day.



Sophie really is the best dog. I've never been a big dog person, but I really love Sophie. We decided to take her, so my parents wouldn't have to sell her so they could serve a mission.

The girls love her, and it really hasn't been that big of an adjustment.

More Park

We've been spending a lot of time here, especially now that the weather is practically perfect.





Leah dilligenly says, "out and in" while moving her legs everytime she swings. I'm hoping soon it will start propelling her. She could literally swing for hours.

G&G Carrier

We always enjoy when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit.

Sarah liked to take walks with Grandma.


There were lots of long morning walks and playing at the park.


This picture makes me laugh. I realized on our way to drop them off, that we hadn't taken many photos. That's why it's so posed.


Did you notice Leah's outfits? She's always been particular with her wardrobe and her accessories. Some of them are interesting...

It's always too quiet in the house after my parents leave. Lucky for us, they will be back at the end of October as full time missionaries, and we are looking forward to seeing them more often. They will do such a wonderful job.

Leah's Stuff

One of Leah's favorite phrases is, "Don't let [Insert any name here] get my stuff," as she hands you a handful of things.

She also likes to hide (or hoard) her stuff in the play tent downstairs, under her pillow, in bags, or in her pockets so "[Insert any name her] won't get it."

Leah's stuff ranges from all sorts of things from her bunny to an AC Moore key chain rewards card that she calls her phone. It's an I-Phone naturally, with the key hole being the home button.

I've been wanting to document this for awhile. Enjoy.

Two bags of stuff for our library trip.

Here is a look at what is currently under her pillow.

Books, bunny, and small things are pretty standard, and there is usually at least one pair of shoes. Once, she put a pink ball under there and got upset when it wasn't comfortable to lay down on it.

It's also common to find a bag full of more stuff under the pillow with the other stuff.

I dumped out the contents to get a picture.


Here is what I found inside:
Paper clips
Two pairs of Minnie Mouse panties
Magnifying glass
Three nail files
Miniature Lightening McQueen car
Miniature Mater car
2 pink hair bands
Old watch
Empty Trident gum package
Baby brush
Hot pink sunglasses

She is so funny, and it's been fun to see how many things are uniquely her.