"Kennel" box

Beth rediscovered the box her princess jeep came in and turned it into a "kennel" today while the Vikings/Packers game was on. She was pretending to be a dog and kept asking to be put into the "kennel". She brought her babies in as well so they were "Safe" from the T-Rex outside. Imagination I tell you.....wish we didn't loose it as adults!!

Duck Hunt with pappa

Beth thoroughly enjoyed playing "old school" Duck Hunt with pappa. She needed a bit of help with aiming but got the hang of shooting down quickly.

Pumpkin carving

Beth helped carve her first jack-o-lantern....she did well with the knife but really liked playing with the "guts" of the pumpkin and separating out the seeds so we could bake them.

Leotard from a plastic bag

While in Rochester mom and grandma spent some time shopping. Beth really enjoyed the items she received but in typical little girl fashion she had more fun with the plastic bag. Since she got 2 leotards she decided to make one from the Shopko bag.

Princess tent

Beth got a princess tent for her birthday and was quite excited when "sister" was game to play inside it, I believe they were playing memory. She also enjoyed hangin' out with grandma and grandpa that weekend, princess dress and all!!

Princesses

Beth loves to play dress up with her princess dresses and had a blast when her friend Jenna came over the other day.

Haning with the family in Mpls

The weekend surrounding Tony and Christine's wedding was filled with catching up with family including Beth's cousins their children and her great grandma and grandpa from Tucson, Az. There was jumping on the bed, watching the planes come and go as well as running around the hotel and the marketplace nearby.

Tony and Christine's wedding

On Sept 18th Beth's uncle Tony got married to a fabulous woman, Christine. Miss Beth was the flower girl and she did GREAT!!! She and Aiden (the ring bearer) got along well throughout the whole day, including the photo session. While the grown ups were upstairs at the reception Beth watched movies and ate pizza with Aiden and his little sister and a babysitter.

Beth's 4th birthday

Beth choose to celebrate her 4th birthday with most of her daycare class in addition to the "usual" guests, including family and friends, needless to say there was quite a bit a activity in the backyard that day. Beth loved the pinata as well as the princess jeep she received as a gift.

Christine's Bridal Shower

We threw a bridal shower in July for Christine and miss Beth had a ball talking with the guests and "entertaining" all. She went all day without a nap and was still an absolute princess, even helping "auntie" Christine open her presents.

Puppy poo

With the dogs, spring can be rather hazardous in the backyard, especially this year with Kody's surgery and having to be alone in the backyard instead of the kennel while it healed. Beth had us in tears of laughter as she walked around yelling "eye spy" each time she saw a pile of puppy poo. She also had a riot playing playing with dogs while pappa picked up the aftermath.

McDonalds with friends

Beth recently started gymnastics and a tradition that her friends have is to go to McDonalds afterward for dinner. Beth very much enjoys this as well as the gymnastics.
Here she is with her friends Jaylee and Madelyn.

Final swim

As our vacation came to an end Beth had made great strides in her swimming and comfort in the pool. She swam at least daily and most days enjoyed the pool in the late morning and then again in the late afternoon. She didn't quite understand why we wouldn't let her stay in longer during the late morning but seemed satisfied that she could stay longer in the late afternoon. Beth also had a lot of fun swimming with Anna along with Paul and Mandy, something different from back home at the Y.

Valentines Dinner

Since we were in Florida over Valentines Day we made the best of it and enjoyed an all you can eat seafood buffet. Mandy didn't partake in the seafood but did have a fabulous chicken dinner and Anna and Beth both benefited from the buffet. Beth enjoyed the crab legs as she had had them once before at home when mommy made them on the grill along with steaks. Of course she did enjoy the deserts most of all!!!

After our dinner we returned to the condo for a final swim, as we flew out the next day. Later in the evening Beth enjoyed the frosting off cupcakes and managed to make a great mess of her face which was then removed in a bath with Anna.

Downtown Disney post princess makeover

After her makeover into princess Ariel, the mermaid, Beth's patience was wearing rather thin so uncle Paul walked her outside to pappa and auntie Mandy who were playing with baby Anna. Beth saw statues of Cinderella and Aura and convinced pappa that photos were needed. The princess makeover lasted about an hour and while enjoying a snack at McDonalds she wanted it off as it was itchy and the bobby pins were hurting her head.

Princess Makeover

Beth had the experience of her little life when she visited the Bipity Bobity Boutique and had a princess makeover. She chose to be Ariel the Mermaid princess and sat amazingly still for the 45 minutes it took to do her hair and make-up and paint her nails. She was even fairly cooperative with the professional photographer afterwards and we got some super cute photos. Her patience, along with baby Anna's, moms, dads, uncle Paul and auntie Mandy wore out however while waiting to pick out her photo package as the lines were long and the grandma in front of mamma couldn't make up her mind.

Anyway, I apologize for the length of the slide show but she's my only little girl!

Book under the blanket

When going down for her nap before her princess makeover Beth decided she wasn't quit ready so she started reading her book under the blanket and "hiding" from mom and dad. It turned into a great game before she settled down for her nap.

Breakfast by the pool

On the 13th there was a breakfast by the pool that was relaxing and the fresh oranges were great. Beth and Anna very much wanted to go swimming but it was a bit chilly that morning so they waited until the afternoon.

Beth acted like the big sister watching Anna and making sure she stayed safe and Anna seemed to enjoy the attention.

Old Town

We spent an evening at Old Town which reminded us of Hill City, SD with all the trinkets shops, tourist joints and such. There was also an amusement park with a variety of rides. Beth and Anna enjoyed the carousel then Beth went on her first rollercoaster ride. It looked like a catepillar but did have some decent turns and slopes for s kiddy ride. Beth loved so much that when we got off she saw the big rollercoaster behind us and asked to go on it next.

While walking along the streets Beth was convinced that she had a rock in her shoe and sat in baby Anna's stroller until shoe thoroughly inspected each shoe, then had mommy so it before putting them back on and walking again.

Feeding the Ducks

There were multitudes of ducks with different coloration than we have back home and Beth was enamored with them. She had fed a group of them Cheetos while we were playing mini golf one night so she and pappa went out one morning and tried to feed them with bread. They very much seemed to enjoy this, so much so to the point that Jim ended up picking Beth up and carrying her away as the ducks were "bumping" her with their bills in an attempt to get more bread.

Beth also enjoyed the various flowers that were throughout the complex and in bloom.

Clearwater Beach

On our trip to Florida we spent a day at Clearwater Beach. The water was a bit too cold to enjoy playing in but Beth VERY much enjoyed playing with the sand and building sand castles with her mom and dad and "auntie" Tina. Tina and I have been friends since high school and still manage to see each other every other year or so.

There was a fabulous covered playground that Beth and Anna enjoyed as well and it gave the moms a chance to sit and chat while the dads "watched the van" conveniently parked in front of a bar.

Playing on the playgrounds

There were a number of playgrounds throughout the complex and we found and played on them all (I think) while there for the week. Beth really enjoyed the climbing wall type of equipment, which should make her uncle Tony very happy!! Beth helped Anna get comfortable, well she tried, with the slides but didn't quite understand Anna was too little to go down alone.

In the morning before setting out to the playgrounds Mandy helped the girls build a fort with the couch cushions which was a BIG hit...at least with Beth although Anna seemed to get a kick out of it too :)

mini golf

While relaxing at the complex we took a number of walks to enjoy the weather, rode in swan paddle boats and enjoyed a game of mini golf. Beth discovered that the ducks on site rather enjoy Cheetos and she nearly gotten engulfed in a flock of them. Beth and Anna had a good time playing mini golf....but not as much as the parents did! While playing the course Beth had fun playing on the stone animal statues throughout.

First day in Florida

Our first day in Florida was rather relaxing, we hung around the condo complex and went swimming then enjoyed a relaxing dinner out. We stayed in Mandy's parents time share which allowed for nap times, food prep for the weeee ones and much relaxation for mom and dad. Beth very much enjoyed being able to swim multiple times a day although she didn't really like being pulled from the pool after 30 minutes in the middle of the day to avoid sunburn

The flight to Florida

On Feb 28,2009 our family took a trip to Kissimmee, Fl with some friends. Beth very much enjoyed her first airplane ride. She did well although she didn't really want to buckle up until I told her that it was captains orders. Beth also had a great time playing with Anna in the terminal at Hubert H. Humphrey while waiting to depart. Here are some photos from the terminal and flight.

Playing with Alex

Alex and Heather came to visit last night and the girls had fun "hiding" from monsters and playing with the yoga ball. The most fun came from trying to jump/cross the ball from the chairs and onto the couch. The creativity and imagination were on display from both. Beth also got to watch Alex and Heather talk to Keith via Skype...she wasn't sure what to think of that until Keith turned on his webcam and she could see him, then it made more sense.

Playtime with Alex

Last weekend Beth got the chance to play with her friend Alex again. Alex and Heather came down for supper. Beth has really enjoyed seeing and playing with Alex while she and her parents where back in MN visiting while on winter break. Alex's father is in medical school in Dominic and they have been gone since Sept. The girls had a good time playing with the princess dress up clothes Beth got for Christmas along with Pooh puzzle and Alex's CareBear exercise video.

First time sledding

Last weekend after a great snowfall we took Beth sledding for the first time. She had a BLAST riding down the hill in our backyard, especially once the puppies came outside to join us. She wanted to go down alone and then with mom and dad. After that she wanted us to go down alone so we could see what she had done.

Anna's first birthday

We helped Beth's friend Anna celebrate her first birthday today. Beth very much likes to "help" Anna with everything and anything possible. We are going on vacation next month with Anna and her family to Florida for a week and Beth is super excited to teach Anna all about princesses and swimming ( her two favorite thing ever). Beth enjoyed helping Anna open her presents and insisted on eating lunch next her as well.

lil' fashion queen

Beth is very certain about her fashion style and despite protest and encouragement from mom and dad she is determined to wear what she wants to wear. We've learned that as long as it's seasonally appropriate it is not a battle worth fighting. Here are some examples from the weekend after Christmas on the way to the grocery store.

Playing with Alex

Friends of ours, Keith, Heather and Alex, have been living in Dominica since Sept. when Keith started medical school through Ross University. Beth and Alex are 4 months apart and very good friends. The day after Christmas the Bratulich family came down to Mankato for a visit and the girls had a blast playing with all the new toys from Christmas along with simply being able to play together again. Beth wanted to share her princess clothes but Alex wasn't quit interested...they did find mutual fun in the cleaning cart and dinner along with the Dora tent that Alex ( ok her parents) gave to Beth prior to leaving for Dominica this fall. The adults enjoyed catching up over spaghetti and drinks as well. It was hard to say goodbye again but hopefully we'll see each other soon.

Christmas Day

Beth was anxious to get up on Christmas Day and see what Santa brought her....she's really excited to try out her princess scooter and is awaiting warmer weather. While waiting for the butter braid to bake for breakfast she snuggled up with the sister Megan. After a busy morning and good nap, Beth joined the family in a game of dominoes. I'm not sure what was more fun the game or watching Beth play dress up with her princess trunk and then goof around with the dominoes. Non the less we all had a relaxing Christmas and wished uncle Tony and his girlfriend Christine a safe and wonderful trip to Australia come Jan 01, 2009.

Christmas Eve

Beth really enjoyed opening her presents this year. She has finally gotten the concept and is much more like her dad in terms of ripping the paper off than her mother who carefully removes the paper at the seams. It was certainly a "princess" Christmas at our house this year from everything from bath towels to a cell phone to a trunk full of princess clothes,shoes,and jewelry. The big kids had a great time watching the princess as well as talking to each other and enjoying good company, good food and good wine!

Fun at Chuck E Cheese

Beth's friend Alex celebrated her 3rd birthday at Chuck E Cheese in Burnsville shortly after returning home to MN with her parents from Dominica. Beth was super excited to see Alex again and had been asking when she was coming home for about a month prior and started a count down about a week before. The night before Alex's party the weather turned nasty but the look on Beth's face when we told her we might not be going was heartbreaking so we all bundled up and braved the MN winter to head out to Chuck E Cheese. Beth had a blast and it seemed as though the Alex and her other friends did too.

1st time making pheffernuts

The week after Thanksgiving Beth joined her mommy, grandma and grandpa in making a Hodgkins tradition, pheffernuts. She lost interest before we were done but had fun mixing the batter, spreading flour over the counter and eating the final product.

Lil' Mermaid

Beth really enjoyed her lil' mermaid costume from Halloween....so much so that she wanted to wear it again and go back trick or treating the next morning. Here are some pictures of her and grandma playing with the costume.

First snowy playtime of 2008

Beth had a riot playing in the backyard with her puppies late November when we got the first real accumulating snow of the year. She played for awhile and then told mommy that the snow had to be swept away!

Playtime with puppies

Uncle Tony and Christine came down to visit and while they were here we had a BLAST playing with Kody, Sabaka and Angel. Here are some photos from playtime with the dogs.

Beth's first Christmas pageant at church

Beth had her first Christmas pageant at church she was so excited but when she saw mommy and daddy and grandma and grandpa sitting in the front row she started crying and wanted to sit with mommy instead of perform up front with her classmates. She did return to her Sunday school classroom after sitting on grandma's lap for awhile.

Beth and baby Gretchy

Beth absolutely LOVED holding Billie and Dave's newest little girl Gretchen. She soon gave up the baby to play with the older girls though.

Riding my Horse 9.28.08

Beth had a blast riding her horse and playing in the afternoon.

Halloween 2008

This year the weather was fabulous so Beth and her friends wanted to walk the neighborhood and use the wagon! They had a great time and returned to our house to look through their stash and pick put the best.