First (and only?) Snowfall

On Saturday, January 21, we finally got our first legitimate snowfall of the season. (And, by "legitimate", we mean more than one inch of snow. Which is nothing compared to what we've been getting the last few winters... not that we're complaining.)

The forecast called for rain to wash away the snow by mid-day, so we bundled up and headed outside right after breakfast.

In only about 20 minutes, we managed to cram in an entire winter's worth of snow fun. We made a snowman. We made snow angels (sort of). And we had a snowball fight.

Morgan discovered that her snowsuit helped her shoot down the slide extra fast and splash into a pile of snow. Gwen wanted to give it a try, too.

Unfortunately, the rain came earlier than expected and our snow fun had to be cut short. The girls were disappointed... but it was nothing a little hot cocoa couldn't fix.

Climate Change

Let's be honest. It's not supposed to be sunny and 63 degrees on January 7. But when nature (or non-nature) hands you gorgeous weather in the middle of winter, you've gotta take full advantage. So last Saturday, we took the girls to the Philadelphia Zoo.

As always, the girls wanted to check out the monkeys first. The baby orangutan seemed just as excited to check out Morgan.

The lions and tigers spent the day lounging in the sun. They were so happy sunbathing, it's almost as if they didn't notice all the little kids on the other side of the glass.

By the middle of the week, the temperatures were back in the 30's. But for one day, it was fun to pretend that winter was already over.

Happy New Year 2012

2011 was a crazy year for us. So it's only appropriate the 2011 ended with an unusual New Year's Eve.

With sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60's, the girls got to race around the yard one more time this year.

Later in afternoon, Cooper and Cate came over for one final 2011 play date.

Everything started off pretty normal. The little ones took turns trying out Gwen's new chair and putting their baby dolls to sleep. Meanwhile, Morgan introduced her princess dolls to Cooper's superhero dolls. (They got along great. Cinderella and The Joker are hoping to schedule another play date soon.)

Speaking of super heroes and princesses, our day got strange again when Morgan and Cooper decided to turn New Year's Eve into Halloween. Cooper donned his Captain America outfit. Morgan dressed up in her Cinderella ball gown. Strangest of all, Gwen willingly posed for a photo for the first time in her life. (Unbelievable, right?)

Here's to a great 2012!