She's GRRReat!

Here's a small sampling of the tiger mania in the Sydnor house! Sophia is ALL about tigers these days! Thanks goes to our friend Jaime for passing along the cute tiger jacket.

Our growing girl...

Trying out the Sweet Briar chair...

Sophia loves books...and making messes.

Sophia in her wheels with Grammy and Pop at the mall in Fredericksburg.

Driving the taxi...

All bundled up and ready to go!

"This hat has got to go!"

Sophia watching a sign language DVD...

coloring...

Meet the newest addition to the Sydnor household, a life-sized stuffed tiger, given to us by a dear friend. Sophia can't believe her eyes!

Sophia reminding me to take my reusable shopping bags...

Sophia loves to play with my dance bag. That's a good sign, right?

Hanging out with Daddy.

Aunt Kate came over for a slumber party...and brought presents!

"Aunt Kate, you're crazy!"

So sophisticated...a mini skirt and a cell phone.

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in awhile...it seems like it's been a challenge to get back in the swing of things after the holidays. I am also busy with my dance classes and choreographing The Producers at WFS. I am having such a great time teaching and I love being able to dance. There is something to be said about being in the theater and preparing for a show...really, there's nothing like it.

We have also been planning a trip to Switzerland and we look forward to introducing Sophia to her extended European family. We leave March 11th and will stay for 7 days. While we are there we will celebrate Raph's 32nd birthday!

And now, onto Sophia...our little pint-sized wonder. She really amazes us these days with all that she can understand and communicate. Sophia is signing over 30 words and that count grows by the day. She can say "Mama", "Dada", "Pop" (my Dad loves that one!) and "Boo". Sophia studies all that's around her and is so observant. She can point to her body parts and is working on her animal sounds. So far, she can "moo", "meow", and click her tongue for a squirrel. She points, waves, blows kisses, and is really starting to imitate what we do. For instance, every time the phone rings she holds her hand to her ear and tilts her head. She is so much fun!

A visit from Grand Pierre

Three generations

Sophia helping Daddy with his game tradegy...

Reading bedtime stories...

Sophia not looking too sleepy...

Grand Pierre is pretty funny!

Taking Sophia for a ride...

Sophia and Grand Pierre making beautiful music together (Sophia is playing a giant lego!)

Dining on wooden fruit.

Raph's Dad, Pierre-Maurice (aka Grand Pierre), came from Montpelier, France to stay with us for a week after Christmas. Pierre-Maurice visited us this time last year when Sophia was just shy of 2 months old. Needless to say, Sophia has grown up so much in the past year and was able to show her French grandfather all that she can do. During his stay, we attended my Grandmother's surprise 80th birthday party, hosted a Christmas party for my Mom's side of the family, enjoyed many meals, and played games. Raph and PM visited several winerys, worked out, and went to the movies. It was a great visit and we hope Grand Pierre comes back to visit again soon!

A very, Merry Christmas!

Heading to the WFS faculty Christmas party

Visiting Tpa a few days before Christmas

Tpa and Jody

Sophia opening presents from Tpa and Jody

Tpa helping Sophia take care of Huggums

Christmas Eve

Posing with Granddaddy and getting ready for the annual opening of the Christmas PJ's.

Christmas morning, Sophia didn't know which direction to go first!

She loves her fridge farm and wooden fruit from Santa.

Mom and Dad with the photo book we made for them.

Taking Holly for a walk...

"Can we have Christmas everyday?"

Petting Kringle, the dog puppet, from Grammy and Pop.

Pop and his girls

Visiting Granddaddy Christmas morning

Ready to enjoy Christmas breakfast at Granddaddy's.

"It's hard work opening all these presents!"

After a nap and some down time, we headed to Granny Herndon's to have dinner and open presents. Dad with 2 of his brothers before the 3rd annual "naughty Santa" gift exchange.

Snuggles with Aunt Cindy

At the end of the day, Dad and Uncle George were the proud owners of two lovely and stylish purses. I have a feeling we may see these bags again next year...

We were able to dig out of the of snow just in time to enjoy many Christmas festivities! We traveled to Lynchburg, with Raph's sister Anna, the day before Christmas Eve to visit with Raph's family. It was a relaxing day with Tpa and Jody and then we had dinner with lots of family that night. As tradition, we spent the night with Mom and Dad on Christmas Eve and we had a great time opening presents and being together. It was such a joy to see Sophia really experience Christmas this year. Her face was priceless Christmas morning seeing all that Santa had brought her and she was such a trooper the entire fun (but action packed) day.