February 2015

February was a lot of fun with lots of snow, Peter's first time skiing (with Theo), and Katie and I spent a few days in Punta Cana.  It was nice hanging out with Katie and she had a lot of fun.  She swam all day (and some nights) and got her entire head braided (it took 90 minutes) and swam with dolphins.  It was a lot of fun and it was hard to come back to snowy and very cold DC.  We landed in a snow storm and it was a bit scary because the runway was covered in snow.  The drive from Dulles Airport took a long time but we went slowly and made it home safely.  We didn't see pavement on the entire drive home.  But school was cancelled the next day and kids had fun playing in the snow.

Katie turned 8 which is hard to believe.  We celebrated with dinner at her favorite restaurant, Whitlow's, and she got lots of nice presents and well-wishes from friends and family.  Thanks to everyone for making it so special.


Rusty licks the frozen bird bath.  Maybe it's like a popsicle to him.


Katie's class researched several businesses in the community to learn about commerce.  She was assigned Baskin Robbins, much to our delight.  She went to the store to ask the manager lots of questions about his store and then sampled the products, of course.  Her class then ran simulated stores during the day based on what they learned.  She served ice cream cones made from paper to her customers.


Cuddle time


A family hike on the Billy Goat Trail.  It's a beautiful trail outside DC along the Potomac River, parts of which were frozen.  It has some beautiful views and lots of fun rocks to climb.


Peter came prepared with snacks and a water bottle in his backpack.


Katie celebrates after climbing up some rocks along the Potomac River.


Peter celebrates too, I think


Peter the Elf


Peter at a gigantic indoor trampoline place with his preschool friends on their day off




Katie in Punta Cana


Katie partakes in some night swimming


Katie rides on an inflatable dolphin.  It belonged to a girl from Boston she met and became BFF's with.


Katie in front of a disco-ball limo at the Hard Rock Hotel.


A crane outside our room.


Katie in the hot tub in our room.  She loved soaking in it (usually filled it with water).


The view from our room


Katie and I at the dolphin pool


The dolphin gives me a ride


Katie holds the dolphin


Two dolphins push Katie's feet and propel her very fast across the pool.  Not pictured: the dolphins.


Katie grabs on to the dolphin's fins and goes for a ride.


Smooch!




Dancing with the dolphin


Katie insisted that we get this photo so she could show her Mom.


Katie hangs out with a few new friends at the resort.


Katie with an iguana.


I never ever thought I'd see this.


Katie swims with a (virgin) daiquiri all the way across the pool without spilling a drop.  I've never been more proud.


Peter and Theo getting ready to ski at Bryce Mountain, VA.


Check out the cool skier.






Walking in the snow at the farm.


Silly selfie in matching outfits


Peter makes his symbol out of fridge magnets.


The kids help me shovel the snow


Katie set up a beach umbrella and beach chairs for her and Peter to eat lunch in.  The day before this she was walking barefoot on the beach.




Katie received an honorable mention for her entry in an art contest at school.


Katie's entry


The entire school created art cutouts based on Henri Matisse.  This is Katie's creation.


Happy Birthday Katie!




Katie cut the cake herself


The sugar kicks in




Katie opens her Iron-kid Timex watch


Katie opens some great books from Grandma


Katie opens her magic kit


A sewing machine!


Katie gets right to work on her first sewing project.

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