Marbles Kids Museum

We visited the Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh today. The last time we were there was for their Halloween party in October. It's so fun there!

 Emma loves baby dolls!

Ella brought her Doggy and her pink kitten with her to the museum. They both needed emergency medical care while we were there. ;-)

I think we might have a future veterinarian. :-)

In the captain's quarters on the pirate ship

 Lowering the anchor

In the submarine

It's Snowing!!!

We had our first snowfall of the winter tonight. It probably won't accumulate much, but Ella and Emma got to see it coming down. It was a big thrill! :-)

 Checking out the sleet through the screen of our screened porch

Mostly sleet at this point...

Within 20 minutes the snow started coming down!

I haven't heard snow crunching under my feet in a very long time, and this was Ella's first snow experience.

North Carolina Zoo - Africa Side

We explored the Africa side of the North Carolina Zoo yesterday.

Ostrich!

Sead and the girls had never seen a real elephant before.

The Lemurs are so funny! I took lots of pictures of them.

Emma was getting tired, so we only stayed a couple of hours. There are several more animals that we have not yet made it to. I think our next trip will be in April when the zoo is fully operational and open until 5 PM.

Shannon

We just received some very sad news today. One of Ella's friends from California, Shannon, is fighting a brain tumor at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. She is just 6 days older than Ella and our girls have played together since they were babies. Our hearts are heavy with this news and we're sending our prayers, thoughts, and all our love her way. Please pray for this precious little girl.

3 years old - at Ella's 3rd Birthday Party

3 years old - at Ella's 3rd Birthday Party

2 years old - at Ella's Halloween Party

 1 year old - play date at our place

I've always loved how sharing Shannon is. Even as a baby if she found an interesting toy she would look for someone to give it to. :-)

1 year old - play date at our place

Her blog is at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/shannonyoshida .

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day surprises for the girls! 

Sead got the flowers for me and I have no idea how he snuck them in last night and kept them hid until this morning. I was so surprised when I woke up and found them. :-)

Emma's 

Ella's

Emma loves SpongeBob!

Ella got Princess chocolates! 

Feeling the kitty tongue