Springtime in Michigan ... Oops I Mean Winter

We spent another lengthy stay in Michigan.  I need to take note and remember NOT to visit in March.  It was COLD with one day that reached 80.  We had it all - rain, thunderstorms, wind, hail, sleet & SNOW.  It was snowing when we took off to go home.  Mid-April and it snowed.  It reminds me why we moved to California.  The girls had a fabulous time with everyone.  They LOVE their cousins - I am not allowed to say her cousins names because she WILL remember and constantly asked about them.  They all get along so well and it is so cute watching them play together.  We also took advantage of the ice cream shops that were open.  I think the girls have a greater appreciation of ice cream.  I believe that GH has some of the best ice cream I have ever had - I think it is the atmosphere.  They have all of these outside ice cream shops instead of commercial ice cream that I have had since living on the east coast and out west.  I did make the mistake of letting them eat an ice cream cone in the car - Harper had it everywhere. 

We did have to extend our stay - unfortunately we attended a funeral for our wonderful Aunt Catherine.  She will be missed.

Since getting back into the swing of things - Reagan is now a big girl and is in a big girl bed.  Knock on wood she has been going to bed easier.  I so jinxed myself by saying that.  She thinks she is really cool now but I think Harper is a bit jealous. We finally finished painting Harper's bedroom & bathroom.  That project felt like it is never going to end.  There is just a couple small things left to do for her room but the bulk is done.  It has been a year since moving in and it is taking forever to finish the painting.  Ugh

I have a new challenge and her name is Harper.  She is now officially running and she takes full advantage of it.  She thinks it is the greatest game to be chased everywhere....grocery stores, parks, malls, Targets (she won't stay in a cart), etc.  So I have abandoned my stroller, car, car keys, grocery cart, purse ....etc chasing her. I thought I had it all in line and now Harper has found a new independence.  We are focusing on listening to mommy which she just finds funny.

At the Merry-go-Round at the Detroit Tigers Game

One of the many ice cream shops we visited - The Whippie Dip

Best pic of all the cousins together

Reagan LOVED the Easter Bunny

Harper enjoying Reagan's Easter egg goodies

We had an Easter egg hunt this morning in the house.  Reagan really enjoyed the finding the eggs and Harper enjoyed eating what Reagan found.  After Reagan found an egg she would shout "I found it" and run around and then open it.  She had to do a victory lap, I guess.  The hunt for 20 eggs in the living room that were visible to the naked eye took over an hour.  I didn't hide them b/c I didn't know how much she would enjoy the game.  It was one egg at a time and she was so proud of herself.  We didn't go out but I still had them wear pretty dresses - big surprise.

Enjoy the pictures   click here

Growing So Fast.........

I can't believe it is already the end of March.  Time is flying and the girls are getting so big.  They both love looking through their photos albums and it is amazing to see how they have grown.  Especially Harper there is just no keeping up with her.  I get the question "Are they twins?" on a daily basis.  I think it is obvious that they are not but I guess not to others.  Harper is definitely tall and skinny and Reagan probably won't be the center on her basketball team.=) 

The stars were aligned one weekend and Phil agreed to hit Disneyland.  I even gave him a free pass to babysit Harper while Reagan and I went but it was his idea to go.  He must of not have been feeling well.  Donald's house was the fav.  My girls are obsessed with ducks.  Unfortunately he was the one character that we didn't see.  Reagan is funny  - she is anxious to ride the rides but then you get her on them and she gets so serious she won't crack a smile.  Harper DOES NOT have the patience to wait in line so she proved to be tough so we opted out of a lot of lines b/c she wouldn't wait.  Phil is talking about going back to that is exciting and the girls and I are always up for a visit to Disneyland.

Harper in Minnie's chair

Reagan on the Merry-go-Round - all business

Ready to go swimming

Reagan protesting the picture she just wants to go swimming

They are back in swim class and Harper's instructor and I agree that Harper was a dolphin in her past life.  She is the happiest swimmer you have ever seen.  She goes crazy in the water - every limb is doing a dance.  Miss Tracy says there are kids that like the water and then there is Harper who loves it.  She is fearless which means you need an eagle eye with her b/c she will kamikaze off the bench - eyes closed and jumps for it with a big ol' grin on her face.  Reagan is again so serious in the water but the second you say swimming she grabs her gear and gets ready and jumps in the water with no problems.  She just won't crack a smile - she is all business.  I think she has a crush on her instructor.=)  We lucked out with our new swim instructors they are great and the girls love it.

Here are more pics ENJOY

Reagan loves doing her own hair

Future Ballerina

Reagan's 1st bloody nose - courtesy of Harper - she thought she looked pretty cool

Here's trouble

Harper walking the safari park

Happy St. Paddy's Day

Harper taking control of the 5 mile walk - w/3 kids and a dog it took over 2 hours =)

Harper sporting the Mickey slippers

Warm weather ?!?!?!

Wow what a difference 10 miles east makes.  It seems like it is the norm this time of year but I am not use to it.  Living near the water like we had for the past few years we never realized how warm it is in January 10 miles inland.  The girls have been sporting there sundresses and tank tops since the weather has been wonderful (besides today where it is raining).  We have even been in the pool - well the hot tub of the pool.  Phil will turn the tub to warm bath water not hot tub temps and the girls love it.  Reagan won't leave.   I still think it is too cold but the girls love it.  The girls just started up swim classes again at a new facility closer to our home.  The girls are fish - that sums it up.  Even their new instructors were very surprised how comfortable they are in the water. 

Enjoy the pictures  click here

More Christmas .........

So Santa and I discussed our travel plans prior to the holidays and we agreed that he would postpone his stop at the Bennett household.  So Santa came on New Year Eve instead.  The whole holiday season was a whirlwind but the girls received plenty for Christmas.  Now onto 2011 - nothing too exciting yet.  I have jumped into painting (we will see how long that will last before I hire someone).  Reagan loves to assist so I have to give her a clean paintbrush and direct her to a different wall where she can pretend paint.  The girls are both growing so fast I looked at pictures from the summer and am amazed how much bigger they are.  I think they both just had growth spurts.  I am trying to get Reagan's summer clothes from last year into Harper's wardrobe since she is getting so tall.  I can't keep up.  Enjoy the pictures .....click here

 Reagan the helpful baker

 Grandma & Grandpa's gift that they LOVE

 Harper making a run for it out the front door

 At least someone is finding use for the potty

 Reagan took it upon herself to dump the whole box of cereal

Harper playing outside

Christmas 2010

We headed to Michigan for Christmas and had a great time.  The girls had a great time especially with cousins, Carson and McKenna.  It is sad that we don't live closer for them to play more.  We had a slight speed bump on the way back but we still made our flight home.  When we got home all the animals had behave which made me much happier than when I returned home from Thanksgiving.  If anyone wants a cat........

 Ho Ho Ho

 Reagan LOVES Aunt Sara

 Harper offering up her milk

 Harper enjoying the bouncy ball pit

 Reagan bowling

 Santa did make a brief stop on Christmas

 We found out Harper likes French Onion Dip

 Harper in the tunnel

 The cousins had the best time on the air mattress

Enjoy our pictures click here