Can I just say how lovely it is to have family visit? I adore my brother, and I love Allison. We were so excited have them come visit. When Holly saw them at the airport, she ran a turbo circle and screamed. Greta wanted to look at them and see what they were about. It wasn't long before she was in their arms. Holly fell in complete love with John and Allison this weekend. She was sad to wake up Monday morning and they weren't here. John and Allison brought a couple gifts, one of which was "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" for Holly. We read it at least a dozen times over the weekend. She loves it! I'm not sure if it's the book that she loves so much as the people who gave it to her. By Sunday night, it was all about John and Allison cuddles. I loved seeing my brother as an Uncle. Holly was clammering all over him. He even took her for a little walk on Sunday before supper. It was a happy weekend. John and Allison, please come back soon!!

We don't do Christmas cards. I really wish we did. Hopefully next year I'll get it right. But last year and this year we've done V-day cards. I love putting them together! Especially when I have 2 cute girls. We sent the cards to grandparents and aunts and uncles and of course, kept one for ourselves. We used Photoboother to print the pictures, which I found via my friend, Mel. Conor and I used scrapbook paper cut to size, doilies, spray adhesive, baker's twine, and a stamp. Easy, easy!

I made these felt heart valentines for Holly's joy school class. The tutorial can be found on Purl Bee. They were quick and easy to do up and I think Holly's excited about them. She'll be very excited when I fill them with candy! I'm still trying to decide what kind of candy to stash in them.

Winter has come which means rain (but definitely more sun than rain). Which also means, no more beach trips for a little while (although this weekend is shaping up to be pretty nice). I bought Holly a shovel the other day - a big plastic shovel that I've been meaning to buy for a few months. Holly loves the sand and the beach and the ocean. Last week, we played "pretend ocean." The girls shimmied into their swim suits, and played in the bath tub. Holly was pretty excited about it! We may play real ocean though and go to Santa Cruz this weekend if the girls are feeling well. California living!

This weekend, our little family went to the Oakland Zoo. It was a beautiful day. I know the weather will get cool and rainy at some point, but I'm telling you, this is the life! Anyways, the zoo. Holly's been more interested in animals than ever. We were especially excited the see the lions, giraffes, elephants and monkeys. The lions were lazy and we could hardly see them, but all of the other animals were visible. It was a really fun day... and Holly had zero accidents! 'Atta girl!

Standing on one leg like the flamingos.

Trying to get a closer look....

Holly was so concerned about the baboons. "A-bum a-sore."

giraffe+gazelle oasis.

Super excited to be riding on Dad's shoulders.

Holly was extra impressed with the elephants because they had Christmas trees in their enclosure.

The elephants were the only animal that Greta showed any interest in.