Never let it be said that I am not determined...

to do anything I can to make the Polar Plunge Winter Festival happen. It was a quite a day for an outdoor charity fundraiser. We had it all ~ wind gusts to 50 mph, rain, sleet and snow. We also had a committee of about 25 incredible volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the 2010 Polar Plunge Winter Festival to benefit Special Olympics Virginia an awesome day under far from perfect conditions. I am so happy and honored to lead the pack!!! Today I feel like I have the best job!!! 2636 brave souls took the plunge into the cold Atlantic and raised over $860,000 for Special Olympics Virginia. We wouldn't let them get too wet because of the vicious waves but just standing out there in their bathing suits won them a badge of courage to me. Volunteers, supporters, plungers, you are INCREDIBLE!!!!

My Little Fashionista!

My little girl knows what she likes! If she doesn't like it there is no convincing her. These all pass muster!


Thanks Fin! You give the best hand-me-downs. I am wearing this today on my field trip!


Thanks Aunt Katy! This dress makes me feel like a diva! It goes perfect with the shoes from Ms. Debbie.


Thanks Grammie, this one matches my "funky socks" (aka socks with polka dots)
This is my own creation! The outfit mom bought me and the princess gear from the Vanbuskirks. It is amazing how a tutu, some plastic shoes and a tiara turn an ordinary girl into a princess.

Tinkering

After a nine day trip, I have a ton of laundry to do, xmas gifts to put away, decorations to stow and a gazillion other things to accomplish. Instead of doing anything (alright, I did get a few things done) I sat and tinkered with Windows Movie Maker. I have been wanting to do this for a very long time and never could figure out which software to make it work until I was blog hopping this morning (of course wasting more valuable time). It seems pretty simple now, silly that I could not have done this last year when I wanted one for my mom's birthday. Anyhow, I know it is not Christmas related (that will be coming soon) but it was a fun group of pictures that I thought I would use as my test. Nothing is more fun than to play with photos of three beautiful little girls.

Christmas 2009

Cousins

Some things are just not meant to be shared. Why can't they share toys this well?

Thanksgiving.....In pictures

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Since I am now getting christmas decorations out, I realized I never posted a Thanksgiving update (nor a birthday or Halloween, but those will have to come later). My family came from Delaware and PA to celebrate with us. Elizabeth enjoyed having her MeMa, Grammie, Poppie, Aunt, Uncle and cousins all in one place.

Elizabeth preparing Poppie's favorite sweet potatoes

Uncle Max and Elizabeth watching the Parade

My baby looks too grown up in this picture. Where did the babyness go?

Poppie and Grammie are here! Let the good times begin!!!

We have so much to be thankful for. Elizabeth is the greatest of blessings.

Half of the family table.

Cousins trudge off to see Santa. Where are the smiles??? Domi wouldn't go but Elizabeth took 18 month old Gabe up to show him how to do it!

The big perk of the weekend was getting to ride in the "back back" with Grammie.

We took the kids to a bounce house to burn off a little energy.

Elizabeth liked going down with Aunt Janet.

Leaving Daddy to his own devices!

Too much fun!!!

Aunt Janet reads the night night stories.

The next day, a little quiet time with Grammie before....

we eat more leftovers, again!

We hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving filled with a bounty of family, friends and good food.

Soccer

This summer Elizabeth began requesting to play soccer. One of her little friends at church plays so we decided to join her team. The first few games were a disaster to say the least. After buying all of the "stuff" needed and hauling ourselves out to the field, she refused to play ~ for 3 games. Just as we were about to give up, at the fourth game, the coach took her hand and "helped" her out to the field. She has been going strong ever since. Many games she not only had to play one quarter but all four due to lack of attendance. She didn't really kick the ball but a few times but she sure did chase it around. If it came too close to her, she usually deferred to another player close by. She usually stepped it up and did it for the team. She loved to play "Purple" aka goalie. She was surprisingly good at that position. She had one game where caught all four balls that were heading in. Next season we are hoping that she will kick the ball!

SCORE!!!

Kicking the ball was reserved for practice!

She really liked being part of a team.

We loved our coach!!! She was great with the kids.

She had to stand on her "stage" aka fireplace hearth to show off her trophy!

So tired!!! Our day started with a school trip to Norfolk to see Elmo, then lunch out with Mommy, then the school Halloween party, then the soccer game, then the team pizza party. I fun day!!!