Pre-Christmas

Of course, the yearly picture with Santa Claus....Ethan was VERY serious this year about what he told Santa to bring him. In fact, he was very concerned when he realized he'd forgotten to ask for an item he thought of after the fact. Good thing Santa has so many spies about!

Aunt Karley came to visit with Doris & Robbie. I think Santa must have hired them to be his little "pre-Christmas" elves as they showed up with gifts for all!

Our night out with friends....and believe it or not, no kids! Thanks to my sister Tammy who managed to care for them all, even the little one! We enjoyed a great night out at "The Melting Pot." Can't say it was my favorite place to eat but it was a different experience and so good to see all of our friends we don't see nearly often enough!

Ok - next comes our Christmas trip - in a separate entry (thank you Liz for the recommendation)!

So one day, as I was coming down the stairs...

I looked over the bannister and saw the sweetest thing...

Yes, I believe Andrew eventually ripped a page in the book, but it was ever so nice to see Ava reading so patiently to him!

Graduation Day!

I am so far behind as far as this blog thing goes...well, actually, I'm pretty behind in just about everything right now! Anyway - I thought I'd quickly post this one since I don't have to download the pictures from the camera to do it (thank you Shalece).
Yesterday our ward's primary planned a short and sweet graduation ceremony for the kids moving from nursery into sunbeams. I doubt many of them had a clue what was happening but they were all so cute with their little black construction paper hats and diplomas! Ava took awhile to warm up as she thought we were throwing her back into nursery to stay after she had been promised a new class and a chance to be a "sunbeam". I can't believe my little girl is already out of nursery and on to new a bigger challenges in primary. Ahhh...they grow so fast! I can only imagine how quickly the time will come that I will be watching her graduate from high school!

Happy #3 Ava!

Oh, my beautiful Ava! You are truly a girl, loving everything princess and pink but also the freedom of having your hair hanging in your eyes and your clothes a little less than put together. You're as tough as the boys and happy to wrestle and fight but playing dress up is your favorite. You go through at least 4 outfits a day though none lasts very long as you simply prefer to wear nothing but your underwear. You are as sweet as an angel but at the same time feisty and stubborn. Sometimes I wonder what lies in store when you decide to go head to head with me (we already know who will win if you pick a fight with your dad) :). You are one of my favorite conversationalists as your grasp on the English language is rivaled by few at your age. You use wonderful words like fantastic and awesome when describing something you find especially pleasing. You love to sing and to quote all your favorite movies like "Finding Nemo" and "Cinderella" or as you say..."Cindabrella". When you want to be nice and sweet, you are the best at making those around you feel wonderful about themselves, especially your dad and your brother. You are a great little mother taking care of your "baby Andrew" (a doll) as well as your baby brother. You have a great appetite and are willing (most of the time) to try just about anything. Salad is something you rather enjoy which we are constantly surprised about. Of course, as with many at this age, you are a great mimic, always repeating what everyone around you says...especially Ethan (this really makes him crazy which somehow I think is your ultimate goal)! You refuse to sleep with anything other than your favorite blanket knitted with love by your wonderful grandmother. Ava, you are smart. You learn so much from your brother. Your ABC's, days of the week, months of the year, even how to spell certain color words like yellow (all of these through song). I guess it will really pay off that you love to sing. You are a joy and a wonder and we are so grateful to have you here as a part of our family! Happy Birthday my little princess!

Andrew is 5 Months Old!

Oh what a cute baby...if I don't say so myself! I am so smitten with this darling little boy! A few noteworthy things have happened this month:

-He finally started sleeping through the night...not quite all the time, but we are close. We are talking sleep from 8:30pm until 6:30am! And his nap schedule is starting to come together. Honestly, I never thought we'd get there.

-Andrew tried his first solid food, rice cereal. We have discovered that he hates formula (maybe that's why he won't take a bottle) as he won't eat the rice cereal if it is mixed with formula but has no problem with the water version. He isn't eating solids regularly yet as I feel like it's too early and well, I'm really just too lazy!

-He is really getting around these days though not crawling perfectly in the traditional sense. He regularly uses the "commando", "forward thrust" and "steamroller". I find him daily pulling ornaments off the Christmas tree and trying to unwrap presents. It's getting harder and harder to keep him away!

-He really has the best and biggest smile and loves his mom best of all! ---yes, I LOVE that!

-His brother and sister love him to death and especially love to pick him up and carry him around... sometimes this causes a bit of heart failure for me.

-We got Andrew a "Bumbo" chair and he promptly forced his way out of it throwing himself onto the table. Oh well. I really thought he'd like hanging out sitting up. I guess the necessity of moving got to him.

-He also received his first haircut. Ok - it wasn't much of one but by the time I was done trimming the mullet and cutting the 10 long hairs he still had on top of his head, he looked as though he had been given a buzz. I guess I didn't even realize that he'd lost all his newborn baby hair until I saw that he had a whole crop of new and none of it was long. At least he never went bald!

-Andrew can sit up by himself, unassisted, for a few seconds...probably 20 at the most. Then he usually takes a tumble right on his face.

Andrew, you really are growing up too fast and I will truly miss the time cuddling and kissing you through your laughter and giggles. I will miss the way you talk, the small high pitch, song-like squeal, and your gigantic smiles for everyone (hopefully these never go away). Happy 5 months!

Gratitude #4 - A Good Night's Sleep!

What more can I say?? It's been about 6 months since I was able to sleep soundly through the night without interruption. Last night was magic! Sure, I didn't go to bed terribly early but Andrew was asleep at 9. He did not wake up until 6am! Oh happy day!! I was even able to get on the treadmill, shower, and be completely ready before walking Ethan to school. Wow! It may be all I accomplish... but today I am deeply grateful for good sleep.

Gratitude #3 - Good Health

Yesterday when I got out of bed, I was thinking how nice it is to live relatively pain-free. I guess I occasionally have a headache and maybe my knees might feel it a bit after running too hard but really, everything just works all of the time. It's something I take for granted. Health is something you just don't think much about until it has changed or until it is gone. Really, aside from having the blessing of family and friends, it is probably the #2 greatest gift. Lately the news of good friends with some life altering health issues got me thinking about my life and whether I'm doing all I can to preserve my health. There is much more I could do but in reality, no matter how diligent you are, good health is a blessing. It can and does absolutely change no matter who you are or what you do. So today, I feel a deep and abiding gratitude for the the blessing of having a wonderful and strong body and for the health and strength needed to accomplish my mission here on earth...whatever it may be.