Sofia at 17 months....

Today Sofia is 17 months old! She's growing up so fast and is more fun everyday. She can say a lot of words (I plan on writing them all down for her 18 month posting) and tries to mimic just about any word used - including peacock, which was in a story I read her today. Papa taught her last night that the Gator (Sofia calls it a "ah-yo-yo') says "Touchdown" and raises her arms! She's a little confused because last week she learned the alligator said "chomp, chomp, chomp" :-) She loves her new Christmas toys, but her books remain her first love and she still spends hours in her room looking them all over with her herd of puppies. Oh, and like her Papa, she's a big fan of gum! She can actually chew it for a very long time and is usually good about handing it over when she's done...usually.....

On her big day - playing with new popcorn popper and holding a bottle of bubbles - two of her favorites


Practicing walking up and down the curb in her Crocs


Santa's little helper - yes, she actually smiled for this one!


In her chair with her two favorites - puppy and baby


She has several puppies and 3 babies and they are all equally loved!


Giving puppy and baby hugs!

More of Christmas Day...

Here are pictures of the rest of our day. More of Sofia opening her presents, and her helping me make my very first red velvet cake (it actually turned out pretty good and not too dry). Sofia mainly helped me clean up the frosting....oh, and eat the cake after dinner. :-)

Opening Uncle Pancho and family ball banging toy - she wasn't too sure about hitting the balls with the hammer, but quickly caught on!


Hitting the balls


The electronic book reader from Aunt Becky and family


Carrying her new puppy from Aunt Kathy (he's on the left) as well as two other puppies....good to see the new puppy has already made the cut!


"Helping" Mommy frost the cake...


Almost done!


Yum!


The finished version of our first red velvet cake (new puppy looks on)

Opening Presents on Christmas Day

We had a very relaxing Christmas day -all of us stayed in our pjs the entire day and lounged! Sofia woke up around 8am and Santa had visited the night before! She wasn't so sure why there were so many little gifts in the stocking, but she enjoyed it. She got stickers (or 'stickies' as she calls them), finger puppets, another puppy (there are never too many puppies in Sofia's life), her favorite little cookies from the gym (they are actually called "fit cookies" because apparently they contain 'less sugar' whatever that means), a sleak pink passport cover (we plan on getting her passport this month), a frog luggage tag, and all sorts of little odds and ends.

After we each opened our stockings, we made a big breakfast of pancakes, bacon, sausage and lots of coffee. After filling our bellies we opened our presents. Sofia's first present was from her Papa - pink, wool-lined Crocs that she basically won't take off now. Her feet become wet with sweat, but she doesn't want them off! She also got a popcorn popper toy, a cash register, an electronic book reader from her Aunt Becky and family, another new puppy from Aunt Kathy (she particularly likes him because he's big), and a ball pounding toy from Uncle Pancho and family - all in all, a very fun day. She just kept opening presents and getting a new fun toy!

Opening her stocking


Playing with her finger puppet with Papa


Sofia and I looking at our stocking goodies


Opening her first Christmas day present


Pink, wool-lined Crocs (LOVE the look on her face!)


They fit like a glove


Action shot! Sofia playing with her new popcorn popper and her pink Crocs

Opening gifts in Florida

Since we were all together for CK's birthday celebration, we opened our Christmas gifts on Saturday evening. We first enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Connie which made it really feel special! It was fun watching Sofia open presents this year because she is now much more interested in the gift than the wrapping paper (as she was last year). She really got a lot of fantastic gifts (her Grandparents completely spoiled her - big surprise!) and she's having a lot of fun with her new goodies!

Santa's little helper


Sofia and I


Sofia and Chandler - Sofia LOVES holding the 'baby'


Opening her first present - a book from Grandma and Grandpa!


A baby from Great Grandma


A fun (and loud) toy from Aunt Cynthia and Uncle Jay!


After the unwrapping....

Papa turns 40!

Today is CK's 40th birthday! It was off to a great start with a fabulous brunch made by Connie (Grandma, or "Graama" as Sofia says)! The day was spent relaxing and enjoying the beautiful Florida weather. CK Sr and Connie took us all out to a wonderful steak dinner at Mark's Prime Steakhouse! Following a relaxing and very tasty dinner, we returned to the house and to a fabulous surprise party for CK! Although I was in the know, it was a great surprise to me! The back patio was decorated with balloons, streamers, lights and about 40 or so friends - CK was completely surprised which was the very best part!

Celebrating CK's birthday!


Sofia helps Papa open his first birthday present


All of us


CK's cake!


Cutting the first piece


After everyone left, he opened more gifts

Silver Spring's Lights

On Friday 18 December, CK Sr and Connie took us to Silver Spring's Nature Park to see all the Christmas lights, listen to carolling and go on some rides. The lights and decorations were beautiful and Sofia went around saying "Lights, lights" (sounds more like "Hi, hi") the entire time. Chandler and Sofia were able to visit with Santa (Sofia still wasn't a big fan, so Papa had to join the group). We went on the Merry Go Round, which Sofia enjoyed (especially the lights!) and had fun playing with the blow up Snowman and Bear!

Arriving at Silver Springs - the lights were beautiful and my camera didn't do a great job capturing it...


Chandler and Sofia with Santa


Lights, lights - Sofia loved it!


All of us again....


Riding the Merry Go Round


Playing with the polar bear

Visiting Lakeland, FL

While CK flew, Sofia and visited Lakeland, an adorable little town with two lakes full of swans, geese, Canadian pelicans, and an adorable town square. On the first day, Sofia and I visited the Children's Museum and had a great time. Later, after Sofia's nap, we visited a park that had a great little play area and water playground. Since it was in the low 80s, I took off her shoes and pants and she splashed around. She loved it! Our girl can't stay away from water!

On Tuesday, we returned for a visit to the park and the Hollis Gardens, beautiful public gardens overlooking Lake Mirror. Then we returned to pick CK up from successfully completing his sea plane rating!

Ohh, oranges! (Or, as Sofia calls them 'balls')


Driving the truck. Beep, beep!


Sofia LOVED the slide and could have stayed there all day!


Playing on the duck in the playground


Canadian Pelicans


Playing in the water garden


A post-play snack


Hollis Gardens - we didn't see much of this as Sofia was very ready for a nap

Jack Brown's Sea Plane School!

CK's present for his 40th birthday was to visit Jack Brown's Sea Plane School to get his sea plane endorsement! It is such a cute set-up and CK Sr. went through the same school (and used the same sea plane) 35 years ago! CK had a blast and enjoyed 2 entire days of focusing on flying, avoiding his blackberry, and splashing around the lakes of central Florida! When CK Sr finished his endorsement, he was allowed to take a passenger up for a ride and took little CK Jr! Unfortunately, due to insurance issues that isn't possible anymore, so CK bought a 30-minute ride for me with one of the instructors. It was great fun and gliding on the water is fantastic, especially in turns.


Water Cub!


Papa and Sofia (with her puppy) horsing around


Papa and Sofia with the Cub before his first day of lessons


CK landing on the lake


Me and the instructor leaving the dock for my ride


Our little girl


In the air


Sofia shows me the puppy on her shirt after the flight