St. Nicholas Day and St. Lucia Day

Advent is in full swing for us with lots of celebrating going on in and around our house. We celebrated St. Nicholas Day by giving the girls a floor drum and by taking a trip to Mohonk Mountain House. Unlike last year, we had beautiful weather and enjoyed a short hike on the property. We celebrated St. Lucia day on the 13th and then had our annual party yesterday. The girls now have crowns!

Sydney and I were decked out to sing and help Evelyn start her day.

Thanksgiving - Turkey Trot and Family Visitors

Medals following the Mashed Potato Kids Fun Run

The Munz (and Munz-Shetia) Turkey trotters!

Sydney and her Grandma and Grandpa enjoying some Thanksgiving baking

We did a turkey taste test with a store bought turkey versus a free range turkey...the free range won by 1 vote

Nana and Evelyn showing off the turkey

Papa entertaining Sydney and Evelyn

Crowns from the celebrations poppers!

We celebrated Evelyn's half birthday.

She liked the cookie so much she would not be deterred by her crown covering her eyes!

Orlando - NCA

We ventured to Orlando for the National Communication Association conference.

The girls played mini golf for the first time. Evelyn tried to use the club...

but often felt her hands were more efficient!

Uncle Tim did his best to help Sydney with her stroke

The girls with Uncle Tim

Evelyn having a go at it with some help from Joshua

Admiring the "Road Runner" topiaries on the course!

We all tried multiple times to conquer the alligator hole but to no avail!

Evelyn tossed my ball in the water...and Joshua skillfully retrieved it with two clubs!

A water surprise on the final hole!

Outside the course

A hug from Pluto during breakfast with some of the characters

Evelyn was happy to maintain a safe distance but did enjoy Pluto's peek-a-boo

Goofy being himself!

A hug from Chip!

Reaching out for a hug from Dale

Sydney and her friend Eden snuggle up for a photo op

Ashley, Lydia, Eden, Graham, me, Evelyn, Joshua and Sydney after the breakfast

New Minnie bows!

Enjoying the pool and the sunshine!

This was 1 of the 3 pools - the girls liked going behind the waterfall

Sydney braving the water slide

She became so daring she even flipped to her tummy sometimes

Climbing out for another round (video below)

The girls love their Minnie dolls and blankets from uncle Tim. They have not parted with them for a second since receiving them yesterday. Here's hoping to avoid separation anxiety when they return to school tomorrow!

Halloween 2012

Sydney made a butterfly costume at school and Evelyn helped the giraffe costume live to see another Halloween!

Our Jack o' lantern

Costume parade at school - Evelyn's mask

Trying to break the pumpkin/pinata

Sydney with her tongue out in concentration

After a night of trick-or-treating in our neighborhood

The "back" shot was worth it because Sydney's wings were very impressive and it's fun to see a mini-giraffe standing in the living room!