Being Thankful- week 4 and a half

Sunday- Grandparents and that my children have great grandparents

Monday- A short work week for Nate

Tuesday- Christmas music

Wednesday- Real friends

Thursday- my family

Friday- Christmas decorations

Saturday- A husband who is willing to spend 2 days outside putting up Christmas lights. He knows how much I love them and the kids love them too.

Sunday- My church

Monday- Jesus & his unconditional love

Tuesday- Date night

Wednesday- play dates with great friends

A Christmas dance party

My kids love music & love dancing! Last Sunday we turned on some Christmas music and the kids danced and danced for the longest time. It was hilarious! This video is from my phone, not as great as the video on our camera, but it was too big to upload, so this will have to do!

And a few pics from the night....

11.27.2011

Tradition

The day after Thanksgiving we always go to the tree lighting and Santa arrival at Bridgeport Village. We were lucky enough to have both Pama & Papa's come with us this year. We had dinner at Macaroni Grill with the family and then headed over to wait for Santa. This year they had Santa arrive during intermission at an outside concert, so it was a lot later than normal. A little too late as all of the kids were melting waiting for Santa to arrive. Andrew, not liking crowds, was not too thrilled about the whole ordeal and just wanted to go home. Ava loved all of the music, of course. Santa finally arrived and the tree was lit and then we headed home. It wasn't the best tree lighting this year....maybe we'll try a different place for tree lighting next year, who knows!

That day Nathan spent the day putting up Christmas lights.....

while I put up Christmas decorations inside.....

the kids LOVED all the decor! Andrew said, "this looks awesome!" and Ava couldn't stop pointing and grunting at everything :)

Pictures from the tree lighting....






11.25.2011- Andrew 4, Ava 18 months

Thanksgiving

This year we spent Thanksgiving at my parents house. The day consisted of cooking, eating TONS of food, loving on and cuddling with baby Leyton, playing hide and seek and board games with Andrew, and relaxing with the family.

My parents got the kids ornaments to hang on the tree. Andrew got Spiderman and Ava & Leyton got a nativity. Andrew LOVED his Spiderman.

Andrew was in love with Leyton. He wanted to hold her most of the day. It was pretty cute. He gave her tons of kisses and kept saying that she needs to open her eyes so she can get to know him. Such a sweetie.

The boys drinking their coffee & hot cocoa.

Reading lots of princess stories throughout the day with Pama.


The grandparents with all three of their grandchildren. Leyton is only 2 weeks old.

1 on 1

I love one on one time with my kids. It's so nice to have time to just focus on one of them. Lately I've gotten a little bit of quality one on one time with each of my kids.

Andrew & I spend quite a bit of one on one time together since Ava naps every afternoon. But I will admit that not all of that time I take to just spend time with him. I am usually trying to get some things done around the house. But on one day last week we sat and had cupcakes and hot chocolate and just talked. It was wonderful. I love my little guy and the conversations we have. He is always making me laugh and I'm always surprised at how smart he is and how much he understands.

Drinking out of our new Christmas mugs from Twyla Pama...thanks Pama!

11.16.11- 4 years old

On Tuesday night Ava and I spent a little time together which happens every Tuesday and Thursday morning while Andrew is at school, but I am usually trying to run errands and get things done. That night while the boys were out running errands we sat and read lots of princess books and sang songs. It was so nice to spend some time with just my sweet little girl.

She has a terrible little rash due to all of her drooling, but I still think she's adorable.

This is her new favorite spot in the house. She stands up on this little step by the fireplace and I think she thinks it's her stage.

11.22.11- 18 months old

Being Thankful- week 3

Sunday- Family fun night filled with games and songs with my little family.

Monday- My sweet little Ava (her 18 month birthday). She brings so much joy to our family and is so funny, sassy, and sweet.

Tuesday- Coming home to a clean house and not having to clean it. I LOVE having a housekeeper!

Wednesday- Hot cocoa & cupcakes with Andrew. Love my little guy and the time we have just the 2 of us. He is full of conversation, very complementary, really smart and my little cuddle bug.

Thursday- Preschool! So nice to have a little break for a few hours.

Friday- Starbucks....I love lattes.

Saturday- A warm fire on a blustery and rainy day.

Ava at 18 months

Wow, is my daughter really a year and a half old? I can't believe it! She really doesn't look like a baby anymore. She is so funny and is constantly us cracking up. For instance, today I looked back at her while we were in the car and she was sitting there with a blanket over her head...she thought she was so funny. There's really no way to explain Ava, she just has a silly little way about her. She is obsessed with Daddy these days and goes around the house pointing at every picture that he is in. She is a really picky eater and won't even try new food. The only things she seems to like are: waffles & pancakes, eggs, grill cheese, pb&j, chips, french fries, cheese, yogurt, most fruit, juice & water. That's pretty much it. It makes it a little hard at meal times. She has a really bad rash on her face from drooling so much while teething. It doesn't seem to be going away. Her hair is super crazy! I tried curling it the other day and within 30 minutes the curl was gone. Some of her hair has curl to it and other parts are totally straight. It makes for a crazy little hair do! She loves Ariel and all of the princesses. She still loves her blanket and books. She also loves stuffed animals and loves looking at pictures of animals. She still doesn't talk much, but mainly babbles a lot. She laughs a lot and is always really happy. My favorite thing she does right now is run up to me and hug my legs....it's so sweet. She is starting to like to play with toys now. When she gives you a hug, she usually just rests her head on your legs or arm. She loves to look pretty and by that I mean, she loves dressing up, wearing new sparkly shoes, having headbands or clips in her hair. She is very girly! I just love my sweet little Ava!

11.14.2011


11.15.2011