Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve day was mainly spent finishing up some last minute shopping and wrapping gifts. That evening we headed to church, then grabbed some pizza after (our family tradition) and then went home to open one gift and read The Christmas Story & The Night Before Christmas.

Andrew did a great job sitting in big church with us.

Reading books lasted for about 5 seconds before they decided they were uninterested. It was late and I think that they were both really tired.

Both of the kids were really excited to open their new Christmas pajamas. Andrew said, "I've never head bajama's like these before!"

We finally got all of the presents wrapped and under the tree....it was a late night!

"Adament"

That is what Andrew has been calling Advent, adament. It is our first year of Advent and we all loved it. I took a picture each day of either the activity we did, or Andrew grabbing the number to see what was in the bag for the day. These are some of my favorites!

Christmas cookies

Last Friday we had a fun day of baking cookies at my parents house. Andrew loved helping and was a great little baker. We tried to have Ava watch for a bit, but she was uninterested and just wanted to wonder around. Nate & my dad showed up after we finished baking, but just in time to help frost the cookies and eat them! It was such a fun day!

My mom teaching Andrew how to crack an egg.

Ava watching all the baking....

He loved the cookie batter

And they both loved eating the M&M cookies!

Andrew really loved frosting the cookies and he did a great job!

Enjoying some time with Papa & Daddy.



12.23.2011

Date nights

We've had some really fun advent days....especially daddy/son date night and mommy/son date night. Nate took Andrew on a date a few weeks ago, but last week I got to take Andrew on a date to look for a Christmas present for daddy. We went to dinner at one of his favorite restaurants, California Pizza Kitchen, which he calls the pizzeria. We enjoyed a great dinner with a lot of knock knock jokes that really made no sense. Andrew is really into knock knock jokes right now. At one point in the night this boy, who was probably around Andrew's age, came over to our table and just starred at us. He then moved along to another table and starred at them. Andrew looked at me and said, "that was strange!" I totally cracked up....because it seriously was so strange and I was thinking the exact same thing!

We headed to the mall after dinner for some gifts for dad. Andrew settled on a wallet and then we grabbed a few other things. We ended the night with a little dessert....cookies and brownies. During dessert he kept leaning over the table and giving me a ton of kisses. It was really sweet. It was such a fun night with my little guy.

12.19.2011- Andrew 4 years old

Christmas Sunday

This Sunday we celebrated Christmas Sunday at church. We have church next Sunday on Christmas, but we will be going to the Christmas Eve service instead. Ava was a little cranky that day and I had to take a picture of her sobbing (for no reason) in her Christmas dress!

12.18.2011- Andrew 4 years & Ava 19 months

Birthday fun

Friday was my birthday. I spent most of the day going from one eating celebration to the next! I had coffee with my kids and Nathan, had lunch with my kids and my parents, and dinner with my in-laws, my parents & my kids and dessert back at our house with everyone. In between I did the usual mom things and spent some extra time talking on the phone with those who called to wish me a happy birthday. It was a great day spending time with people I love! Andrew really enjoyed doing all of the birthday celebrations and Ava and him put on a little dance party to Christmas music which was probably the highlight of the night.

My sweet husband made my blog into a book. I love it! It was such a thoughtful gift. My kids gave me a charm that Andrew picked out for my bracelet...a lock and key. It was a wonderful day!

Ava at 19 months

Last Wednesday Ava turned 19 months. She is really starting to become a little toddler. She is now starting to say some words...finally! She will repeat some of the words we say, but only say them if we ask her to. The word that she says all on her own is uh-oh. It's funny, because that was Andrew's first word too. She still doesn't sit for more than a few seconds, but will occasionally watch a few minutes of t.v. especially if it's Jake and the Pirates or Sesame Street. She won't sit for long though! She still loves books, loves climbing and sitting in chairs. She loves to brush her teeth or find someone else's tooth brush and brush her teeth. She is a little dancer and dances as soon as the music comes on. She is still a picky eater unless it's carbs, fruit or sweets. She only gives mommy kisses on the lips, everyone else she just puts her head to their head. She still loves blankets & pacifiers and really loves babies. She is starting to play with toys a little more, but prefers to bother her brother by taking his toys. She likes to play chase with Andrew and wrestle with him. She is definitely a tough girl, but super girly too. She is still really social and loves having a lot of people around.

LOVE my sweet girl!