Compost Bin

Exciting news at the Held house this spring.  We got a compost bin!

Mallory started by finding us some good black dirt to put in there.

And she showed Dad how to properly put twigs and branches in there.

The Held girls, part of the solution!

Sophie 5 Month Photos

Hard to believe that Sophie turned 5 months at the end of April.

Growing older didn't change her much, still as smiley as ever.

Although she did add a few new tricks, such as sitting up.

Hopefully she is able to keep those beautiful blue eyes.

The Held sisters are still getting along famously.

Rice Cereal

With Sophie coming up on five months, it was time for her to transition to some rice cereal.  Everyone had a helping hand in the process.

Mom was the first one to give it a shot.  She was better the second time around, it was not nearly as messy as it was with Mallory.

Big sister did a fine job feeding her as well, when she wasn't busy looking at the camera.

By the end of the meal, Sophie had gotten the hang of it herself.

Goldy Run 2012

For the second time, Mallory was going to show off her running skills down at TCF Bank to do Goldy's Run.  Everyone had their role to play to get ready for the race.

Mallory got some good running clothes on.

Sophie prepared for a sunny day with her Hollywood shades.

The girls had time for one quick photo before heading off to the event.

After the race, Mallory was too tired to walk on her own...

Band Practice

As a form of post-dinner entertainment, Mallory has been practicing up to start her own one-man band.

 First up:  harmonica.

Then it is on to the piano and some sort of kazoo-thingy.

And now, on lead vocals...hey Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me.

Dinner Time

With Sophie slowly starting to eat rice cereal and solids, dinner time at the Held house got a little more complex and challenging.

Mom helps the girls get ready while Dad is making lunch.

 The girls patiently wait for the food to be prepared.

 Dad always needs to have a spoonful of food ready for someone at all times.

Mallory gets a kick out of Sophie sitting at the table with the family.

And Sophie doesn't seem to mind it too much either.

Easter 2012

Easter 2012 brought us down to Nama and Papa Larry's house.

Of course Mallory got to go on a little Easter egg hunt.

Papa Larry was nearby with an extra basket for when the first one filled up.

Mallory even stopped long enough from her hunt to take a picture with Mom.

Once all the eggs were accounted for, Mallory headed back inside to hang with Sophie and show her how to play with her own Easter chick.

Sophie 4 Month Photos

Hard to believe that shortly after St. Patrick's Lil' Sophie was already 4 months old.

Still smiling...

 More smiles...

 Again, more smiles...

...and a hug from big sister.

St. Patrick's Day - 2012

HLO again scored us sweet tickets to a private tent in St. Paul for St. Patrick's Day festivities.  This year brought about extremely warm weather to boot.

Sophie geared up for her first Paddy's Day party.

Mallory, on the other hand, is a grizzled veteran when it comes to this holiday.  As you can tell, she really gets into it.

The whole family was able to enjoy a great day of fun and festivities (and a few Black and Tan's).

More Purple Jammies

  These girls really love their new purple jammies...

Mal and Soph with their matching jammies again.

Although it doesn't seem like they are ready for bed quite yet.

One of these things is not like the other...I guess we know what to get Mommy for Christmas.

Sophie

Just some random shots of our smiley girl Sophie.

Yes, she is this happy most of the time.

Dance Recital - Winter 12

Mallory had another dancercise recital in early March.

She was able to get her roll on during one of the songs.

 And she might be showing off her muscles during this one.

But she still had plenty left over for a  big bow at the finish.

Sophie 3-Month Photos

The end of February brought about a special day - Sophie's 3 month birthday.

Sophie had a fun time posing for photos.

 Even though she wouldn't always look at the camera.

This is our typical happy-go-lucky Soph-A-Loph.

Of course, Big Sister Mallory had to get in the mix too.

Gymnastics - Feb. 2012

February brought about the end of another gymnastics session.  Which meant Mallory got to show off her skills on all the different events.

 She got to do some swinging on the parallel bars.

And the monkey hang...

At times she didn't even need help from Mom or teachers.

 Waiting patiently for...

...the certificate ceremony.