Here are only two of the approximately 100 valentine's hearts Lizzy made in the last couple weeks.  The top one shows-off how well she can write her name.

On super bowl sunday the theme for the kids at the church nursery was "sports."  They asked that kids wear their favorite sports gear.  Sam wore a Bear's jersey and Liz wore her dance recital outfit.  In the afternoon the kids cuddled with dady (very briefly) to watch the big game.

Lizzy loves to set up picnics for her dolls (see previous post).  She is so sweet to her dolls, however if Sammy enters the room she starts to scream and wants him to leave.  This picture nicely shows why she wants him out!

Lizzy has started setting up "Picnic Party Parades" for her dolls and stuffed animals.  The "PPP" tends to take a long to to set-up, then we pray, and begin to feed all the dolls and animals.  It is so funny to see and hear her.

Grandma Sharon came to visit us the first week of Jan.  Our friends Courtney and Isa had a few extra tickets for the Zoolights that they kindly gave to us.  The five of us had a great time at the Zoolights. The highlights of the evening included marching band performances by Auburn and Oregon.  The bands were in town for the BCS national championship.  That was a special treat.  Sammy and Lizzy both really enjoyed the shows.   

For Christmas we drove to Austin, TX to send the holiday with Deb, Ed, Joey, and Mema (she flew in from MI).  Sammy and Lizzy both did great on the drive.  They played and were very happy.  The drive there was relatively uneventful, however on the drive back we hit some crazy weather!  Most of New Mexico was very windy and large tumbleweeds were constantly crossing our path.  We avoided most of them, but a couple hit us, including one that wedged into the grill!  Then, shortly before we crossed the AZ/NM border snow started to fall!  We spent ~ 30 minutes driving through snow in the desert.  We did get out and play in it a bit - however, Lizzy said it was "too cold" to play with...   That was a strange weather day!

Liz and Sam smiling in the car.

The tumbleweed that barely missed our radiator!

Snow at the southern AZ/NM border.

A view of the snow from our car.