Happy New Year!

Christmas

Violet gets the best of both worlds with hannukah and Christmas.  We celebrated on Christmas eve since I had to work Christmas.

Violet enjoyed hanging out with the grandpas.

Then it was time to unwrap the gifts.  She wasn't really sure what to expect.

Once she realized there was a toy in each box, it was like a light went on.  Suddenly she wanted to open everyone's gifts.

Here she is unwrapping Grandpa's gift.

Here's just a small portion of the loot.

She said "My turtle!"

 Thanks for grandpa Burt, Papa, Nana,  and Marla and Merill for making it so special.

Hannukah

More holiday pictures:

More Disney Pictures

The most exciting part of Disney--ducks!

Admiring Jaden's princess dress

Friends

Violet takes charge.

Holidays and Graham Crackers

Violet had her holiday pictures taken today.  It was a fair bit more challenging than last year.  First she was afraid of the scary lady with the camera and just clung to me.  That actually was the first 30 minutes.  The photographer gave us some time to adapt to the room and we tried again.  We were somewhat successful considering Violet is holding a graham cracker in EVERY single picture.  Yeah, you try taking a cookie away from a 2 year old and still manage to get a smile for the camera.  At least this years photos will have a story to go with them.

Here's a sneak peak:

Disney with Friends

Yo Gabba Gabba

Violet went to her first "concert" of Yo Gabba Gabba live.  It's one of her favorite TV shows and I don't mind it either.  It has pretty good music.  The last time I had been to the Anaheim Pond was for an Eminem/Limp Biscuit concert many years ago.  My how times have changed!

It was a pretty fun time although it's frightening how much they charge for these things.  And I had to get her a t-shirt as well of course.

Violet was entranced by the show and we all had a good time.  She really enjoyed hanging out with the other kids as well.

Hanging out with Ava after the show.

Hike with Daddy

Cheese!

Throwing rocks

Violet and Psycho Buff Kitty

Violet has always always loved her kitties.  This week we lost Psycho Buff Kitty at the old age of 17.5.  Violet adored him and he tolerated her manhandling with dignity.

PBK over the last two years with Violet:

She was always so excited to see him!

He wasn't thrilled when she was old enough to carry him around but he didn't complain.

I thought she wouldn't notice he was gone but she has been looking for him every day and asking for him.  She looks in all his hiding spots--on the big chair, under the bed, and in the bathroom.

We got a new kitten (to be named).  I can't have a household with just one cat.  Hopefully the new kitten will also be tolerant to Violet's love.

We will miss you Psycho Buff Kitty!

Halloween!

It was Violet's first time trick or treating.  Who knew trick or treating with a toddler was so much work?  I wagoned her from how to house which helped.  She helped bring in loot for mom and dad, thus earning her keep.  In case you are wondering, she's a hedgehog.

Dressed up with mommy prior to trick or treating

Hanging out with Mary, our favorite pharmacist.

Trick or treating with Grey, AKA Scooby Doo

MyGym Halloween Party, AKA total chaos.

Daddy days

Pumpkin Patch

Fall has officially arrive with the first visit to the pumpkin patch and the first rains today.  Violet rode the train for the first time by herself and after initially looking scared, she did great.

She's getting to be such a big girl!
She loved the petting zoo, although she was convinced the lop earned rabbits were cats.  She also exclaimed "Mine!" No Violet, we are not bringing a rabbit home.

Kitty!

A little sick goat baby.

Piggies!

These goats were hungry!

Hawaii

Violet and I just returned from Oahu where we visited my best friend Jenee and her family.  She had a great time.  We visited the beach, zoo, and aquarium.  The trip over on the plane was a bit taxing for me (but not horrible) but she was an angel on the trip back.  There was little adjustment to the time change--she was up at 5 or 6 a.m. every morning, and there was only one nap for the whole trip, but we still had a great time.  She loved Jenee's son Nick ("Hi Gick!") and their dog Zoe.  But Violet kept walking up to the car while asking to go home and it was pretty clear that even with skyping she missed daddy.

The Waikiki Aquarium was her favorite part of the trip.

Wiped out.  Her only nap of the trip.

Bribery will get you everywhere.

Including a quiet ride home.