Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places

Sophie and I just got back from a trip to Charleston, SC! We had a WONDERFUL time and did not want to come home! Nana went with us and we stayed with Aunt Sharon. Sophie got to play with her cousin Ava every day and night and got to meet all of my grandparents for the first time. It was truly an experience to drive her around the town where I grew up and to play with her in the park where I played as a young child. It was a very meaningful trip and one that I hope we can plan again very soon! Here are some pictures of Sophie with the relatives:

8 Crazy Nights!

I know I'm a little late, but I still wanted to share pictures from Chanukah. We had a great time- we had lots of latkes, fun with friends and family, even some snow, and a Chanukah bush!We had something going on almost every night. On the first night we had a quiet family dinner and gave Sophie a stuffed menorah to which she added a new candle each night. On the second night it was snowing! We had a nice dinner by the fire and gave Sophie a musical turtle toy. On the third night Sophie and I went to the aquarium with Bubby, Aunt Devorah, Yaakov, Leah, and the rest of Baltimore. Sophie loved seeing all of the fish! For the fourth and fifth nights we were at Nana and Poppa's house for shabbat. Barbara and Gary came for dinner and we had lots of fun! They even brought Sophie an adorable Disney Princess t-shirt. After shabbat we had a Chanukah party. Shimmy and I got a dvd camcorder from my parents. It is super cool and fits in my purse! We got a comfy blanket and a six pack of Sam Adams from Avery (woohoo!). Sophie got: A bookcase, lots of books, a cabbage patch doll, and a car/walker from Nana and Poppa; and a learning puppy from Aunt Ave. On Sunday we had a Chanukah brunch at Bubby and Zeidie's and Sophie got books and a singing bear from Bubby and Zeidie, a stuffed doggy from Aunt Libby, a turtle from Aunt Deena and Uncle Raffy, and a stuffed lamb from Uncle Rachi and Aunt Devorah. On the sixth night we were partied out from brunch so we had a quiet family dinner and gave Sophie three cd's. On the seventh night we had a Messing/Ziffer dinner. We gave Sophie some more books for her new book case. On the eighth night the Diamonds came for dinner! The girls had a fun time opening presents and playing! Lisa and Andy gave Sophie a book, a set of stacking/nesting cups, and a glow worm! We gave Sophie a safari activity center. And JJ (who works for Shimmy) gave us a picture frame and Sophie a stuffed bear. We had such a nice Chanukah!!!

Turkey for me and turkey for you, let's eat turkey in a big brown shoe

Sophie had a great first Thanksgiving! We had our Turkey Day usuals- Nana & Poppa, Aunt Avery, "Uncle" Giddy, and the Tusks (with Yigal as this year's newest edition!). Sophie ate turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin bread, sweet potatoes, and shared 2 pieces of pumpkin pie with Nana for dessert! We can't wait for Chanukah- stay tuned for an update!