Visiting Great Grandpa

The Shaff family went on a special adventure last weekend to Sacramento, CA. My Grandfather, who lives in Iowa, is visiting my Aunt Tami in Sacramento for three weeks, we we all went down to visit. The drive was an adventure in itself, lots of snow and rain, but we made it in one piece.



Here are the pictures from our trip. They are priceless! My grandfather is an amazing person. At 94 he still lives alone, just traveled half-way across the country, and has officially been retired longer then her worked in his life. I am so glad my children have gotten to meet him, he is someone I will always admire.

Grandpa Culpepper watching some basketball.

Grandpa and Teddy keeping each other warm, the weather in Sacramento was anything but CA warm.

Calla, Hannah, and Great Grandpa. The girls took right to grandpa. It might have been the cookies he made, or just his wonderful smile!

Hannah loved her Great Grandpa, she smiled every time we was in view.

I think Great Grandpa loved Hannah as much as she loved him. They both were smitten.

I even got in a picture.

Hannah loved to touch Great Grandpa's face. That is truly a face worth touching, it has seen more hard work then most of us reading this blog will ever experience in our life times.

Aunt Tami even got some time with Hannah. Hannah was her usual happy self and loved all of the attention.

Calla had a blast at Tami's house. There was lots of space to explore and Teddy, Tami's dog was great entertainment.

Calla loved playing on Great Papa's bed. It was the perfect size to climb on, jump on, and pose for pictures on.

Silly Lilly

My girls have earned their nick names thus far in their lives. Calla is truly a silly child. She loves to dance, dress up, and has started to do lots of pretending. Sometimes we all have to sit on the couch with our feet "out of the water so the sharks don't get us". She has also started to do lots of shopping and usually tells us that she will be back tomorrow, but always asks for money before she leaves. At least she plans ahead:) She also has started singing and making up words, and sometimes, when she sits still for a short period she will read a book to herself, her dolls, or to Hannah. She is a BLAST!

Building a tower with the blocks that Papa Rex made for her.
Calla and Hannah brushing their teeth together.

Running around the house. She will even set a course we all have to run, usually it is laid out with lots and lots of blankets.

Calla was all dressed up to go shopping.

Finally a moment of quite, she was reading herself books.

Reading books to baby before bedtime.

Crashing after building towers and running around the house.

Reading to Hannah.

Happy Hannah

So Hannah is growing up so fast! She laughs lots and lots, can't keep her eyes off Calla, and is thinking more and more about crawling, but is not doing it yet. We have been able to capture some great moments recently so here they are. What a doll!! Calla loves her sister, I am just waiting for that to change once Hannah starts crawling and getting into all of Calla things.

Look at those teeth!!

Hannah laughing at her big sister!!

and more laughing at her big sister!

Hannah playing the drums and Calla dancing!

Well we have had a busy few weeks. Hannah was baptized a few weeks ago and Uncle Tom and Aunt Charlotte where thr godparents and Uncle John and Cousin Jake came along for the ride. We had an amazing weekend with everyone at our house, it was a little tight, but everyine survived I believe. Here are some photos from that weekend.

Aunt Charlotte "aka Godmother" and Hannah.

Uncle John pushing Jake and Calla in the wagon.

Cousin Jake having fun!

Uncle Tom, aka The God Father, Hannah, and Courtney.

Calla and Jake having fun!

Sisters all dressed up for the Baptism.

The three cousins!

Wedding photo material!

Silly lilly and Happy Hannah

Calla loves to pull Hannah in the wagon.

Calla running with great form!

Looking cute!

Sisters

Everyday brings new adventures in our home. Neither Scott or I grew up with sisters, siblings yes, sisters, no. We are amazed at the relationship Calla and Hannah are already developing. Calla gives Hannah hugs when she cries and tell her it will be OK. Hannah can't get enough of her big sister and is usually laughing hard at Calla.

We are also entering the world of "My toy, Hannah can't play with it." So you can see it is not all sisterly love. Here are a few pictures of the girls entertaining each other.

Playing in the Snow

We celebrated the New Year by visiting Mary's Peak just outside Corvallis with our friends and spending a few hours playing in the snow. We all had a blast, but Calla and Madison had the most fun!

Mom and Calla exploring the snow.
Calla and Madison sledding. Calla finally figured out that she should hold onto the sled and not Madison's face!

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Mom even took a turn with the girls, but they preferred to ride alone.

Faster, faster!

Jackson and Hannah just hanging out in the snow!

Daddy trying to keep Hannah warm!

Hannah even got in with the fun, for a few minutes!