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.