Abigail called me into the piano room saying, "Doctor, you need to come check on my horsey."  She led me to Michael who had straightened a paper clip that he had wedged between two of the ivory keys on the piano.  He was struggling to get it out.  It took me about a minute to work out the paper clip without breaking the keys.  I called in Tara to show her what had been transpiring with her prized baby grand piano.  She then also noticed crayon markings on about 7 of the ivory keys.  Michael proudly owned up to the authorship of this "art work".  I came back with a paper towel and Goo Gone.  Each time I pushed down on a key to scrub it, I played a note.  For a while Abigail and Michael laughed as I "played" the piano.. Finally, Abigail realized that I was off task and said, "Doctor, you need to come and check on him.  His legs are not working.  When I come back I want to hear good news.  I'm going home."  I thought, "Boy, this is exactly like being at work!"

by Coley

Emma Jane at 3 months

These are a few of the pictures of our sweet, little Emma at 3 months old.  They are from December 2012.  Rosita was her Christmas present.  The hair on Rosita made us think of Emma's hair.  It is starting to lay down, but in the beginning, Emma's hair was often sticking straight up like Rosita's hair. 

Playtime

This afternoon while I was feeding Emma, Michael and Abby were playing in Abby's room.  At one point, I heard Abigail giving her brother instructions....

"Michael, you are the prince.  Act royal.  I am the princess.  I tell you what to do."

There is never a dull moment around here. :)

Christmas 2012

It's hard to believe that Christmas has already come and gone.  We had a wonderful time with our little family and lots of friends.  

 For the third year in a row, we hosted a party on Christmas Eve with several friends.  Everyone brought a treat to share.  We visited, watched a Christmas movie, and sang Christmas carols around the piano.  We had a full house, but everyone had a good time.

 That evening, with just our family, we read the Christmas story from the Bible.  Coley also read "The Cajun Night Before Christmas."  We tried, unsuccessfully, to get a great picture of Abby, Michael, and Emma in their Christmas pajamas.  Abby and Michael were VERY excited for Santa to come!  

Abby was very excited on Christmas morning to see the bike and Barbie house from Santa. 

Emma seemed quite entertained with her new rattle. 

Michael was excited about his pirate ship and cars.  Daddy had lots of fun helping him!

Abigail helped Emma open her her presents.

Michael loved his train whistle and conductor's hat.  It took him a little while to figure out the whistle, but he's got it now!

Coley had a great time helping Michael with his new toys.

We were wondering if we would have a white Christmas, since the ground was green even on Christmas Eve.  We were thrilled to see a blanket of white when we woke up Christmas morning!   We had just enough to say we had a white Christmas.

In the afternoon, we went next door to have dinner with the Petrucci family.  Abby loved playing with Alessandra.

Michael loved Mrs. Petrucci's pasta and sauce.  Can you tell?

Our Christmas was wonderful. We hope yours was too!

Winter Has Arrived

Last year, we didn't have much snow.  Abigail wanted to know why we were having such a crazy winter.  During January 2012, Coley was washing the cars without a coat.  At another time during the month, Coley and Abby had to sweep the snow on the deck in the backyard to have enough snow to build a little snowman.  Abigail never had enough snow to make a snow angel.

Well, winter is here once again.  It is crazy, but in a very different way.  No washing cars without a coat.  There is more than enough snow for a snowman.  Abby can make all the snow angels she wants.

Winter is definitely here.  (It arrived just in time for Christmas!) 

 Coley was very excited to use his snowblower once again.  However, the novelty is already wearing thin.

Michael works hard shoveling snow.