Let's Go Out!

Katie has had to dress warmer for the colder weather lately. Sometimes she lets us gather the accessories she needs to wear. Other times, she tries to take things on her own.

 Aunt Jennifer helped me get ready for our walk.

I got myself ready for this trip. My summer hat beneath my earmuffs makes the whole look!

Pretending to Be a Dog

After Chloe had a bath, she was running around the house like a crazy dog, and like always, Katie had fun chasing her. When Chloe was finally trying to calm down, Katie decided that she wanted to be a dog too and started copying everything Chloe did.

I can do whatever you do, Chloe!

The First Carousel Ride

My mom, Jennifer, Katie, and I went to the mall to try to finish our Christmas shopping. At one point, my mom and Jennifer had to go somewhere without me, so I hung out with Katie. It wasn't long before the flashing lights of the carousel in the distance caught Katie's eyes, so we went to check it out. There was an empty table right next to the carousel, so we sat down and watched as kids took their turn on the horses. As they went around in circles, Katie would wave and tell me, "I want to go on the horse!"

I asked her to be patient and wait and ask Aunt Jennifer when she returned since I easily get motion sickness. She alternated between looking at the carousel and looking backwards to see if Aunt Jennifer was coming yet. Jennifer finally made it and happily agreed to take Katie on the ride.

Katie loved the whole thing. Jennifer said it was hard to get pictures because of the movement and she was so close to Katie, but I still think the joy on Katie's face is obvious!

I loved the horse I got to sit on! 

I loved the lights! 

I loved going up and down! 

I loved having a handle to keep me steady! 

I loved seeing my mom and grandma as we passed! 

I loved going in circles! 

I loved Aunt Jennifer for going with me!

Surprise!

While I was at the zoo with Katie, my mom and sister worked madly to decorate the house for Christmas. We wanted to see Katie's reaction if she left the house undecorated and came back to a festive house.

She noticed the tree right away, and ran straight over to check it out! The joy was overflowing. Things continued to get better throughout the night. Everywhere she looked, she found more Christmas!

Look! A Christmas tree!

What should I look at first?

Christmas makes me so happy!

Chloe, can you believe our house?

I tried to play this piano, but it only played by itself.

The next morning, my first words to my mom were, "Did Santa Claus come with Christmas?"

This boy had a gingerbread cookie in his hand. It made me think of making cookies with my mom.

I love staring at the Winnie the Pooh ornament!

I like the hearts too!

Sometimes I just sit and watch the twinkling lights.

It's a match!

A Trip to the Zoo

I took Katie to the zoo over the weekend, and we had so much fun together. Many of the animals were up and about, and it wasn't overly crowded, so Katie got to enjoy a lot of prime viewing.  I was happy that she decided to sit in the stroller. With construction currently happening at the zoo, we had a lot of retracing our steps to do. Without the stroller, I think she would have gotten really tired!

I got to see two mountain goats right at the beginning.

I thought it's hair looked just like Chloe's fur. I told my mom that they would be best friends.

Next, I was glad to see my friend, the black bear.

The bear was thirsty and on his way to the water.

We had a really good view of the bobcat.

I told my mom it was just like Bingle, so I meowed at it for awhile.

We saw another black bear who was taking a nap.

I told him to wake up, but he didn't listen to me.

The bald eagles were pretty close to us.

I was excited to see them!

I didn't care as much about the otter as I cared about seeing the zookeeper inside. I shouted out to everyone, "Look! A people!"

I always like to look at the duck pond!

I loved seeing the polar bear. Some kids by me didn't like when the polar bear pooped in front of us, but I told him he did a good job!

The pigs always make me laugh!

I had wanted to see the elephants all day, so I was excited when I got to see them.

I don't usually get to see the rhinoceros, so I was happy to see him.

I was interested in his horns.

Two of the gazelles were fighting or playing. I liked listening to the clacking of their horns. I thought their horns were stuck together.

The other gazelles didn't seem to care about the two who were playing.

I always enjoy the tall giraffes!

Something was calling me out of the stroller!

Here's what it was. I had to get a closer look at the giraffes!

I LOVED seeing this hippo. I stood here for the longest time watching him, and I got to hear his loud noises. I asked my mom if we could take him home because, "Winnie the Pooh would love him!" We left him at the zoo though.

Thanksgiving Mail

Katie received her Thanksgiving card from my friends, Noreen and Joe, shortly before Thanksgiving. As always, she loved getting mail!

I think I know whose writing this is!

The turkey on the front of the card made me smile!

I love hearing from Grammy Noreen and Grandpa Joe!

A Christmas House

Jennifer has had a Department 56 Christmas house collection for years, but for the last couple of years, it hasn't come out since they're easily breakable. This year, she decided to test one of her houses on Katie by getting it out of the box and letting Katie see it and touch it. Katie was enthralled! She played with it for a long time and had little conversations between the elves that accompanied the house. She was very careful with it, and she always asks before she grabs it and moves it. Jennifer's not sure how much glitter is left on the house, but she decided that she still might have to create the whole village this year.

I never knew that Aunt Jennifer had these fun toys! 

I'm being careful. I promise!