Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year. The girls really liked opening the presents. Allie was very excited about Santa this year. When I put her to bed Christmas eve, she asked if I was going to bed. I said no, that I was going to clean up the house before I went to bed. I said that we didn't want Santa to see our house in such a mess. She agreed. But in a little while, She said, "What happens if Santa comes when you are awake?" I thought she meant if she was awake, so I said that he would not come in. She looked at me really serious and said, "Then don't clean up, just go to bed." I guess she thought that if the the adults were awake Santa would skip our house. Well, he came and they loved it. My parents and Chris' mom were here, so we all had a good time watching the girls with their gifts. Allie got a Hannah Montana outfit from her Grandma and Nana and Pop gave her a guitar. So she had a great time with those things. Santa brought her a Baby Alive doll. That thing is really amazing. She talks a lot. She eats, drinks, and wets her diaper. Today, we feed her and she was yawning. Allie went to rock her and when she came back the doll's eyes were closed! It is really a little scary how realistic it is. It doesn't look real, but it acts like a real baby. I am amazed by it. Avery got a riding toy and a Cabbage Patch baby. She opened the baby first so all the other presents she opened with one hand, because she wouldn't put down the baby. I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Family Christmas

Well, Saturday night we my family's annual Christmas get together. My mom has 2 sisters and 1 brother so it is quite a large crowd. We always have a good time. We ate great food, watch the kids open their presents and then the adults play a game. We play that game where everyone brings a gift and you can steal presents. This year Donna added a twist. We had to keep the presents wrapped and steal based on a clue. Well, I wish I had taken a picture of Chris' gift. He was warned that it might be a girl gift, but took it anyway. He ended up with a robe and bath set. It was a girl gift. Everyone had a good laugh and then a even bigger one with he said he actually liked it (and he really does). Donna brought this funny gift as a gag. It was a fish tank/sail boat/clock. Also, The Grinch boxer shorts were give one year and they appear in someones gift every year. It was really funny! We had a great time with family as usual. Can't wait until next year. I didn't take nearly enough pictures.

Who Needs Toys?

Well, I am afraid that we have wasted money on toys this year. Allie and Avery had rather play with the Christmas decorations than toys. Allie found Christmas salt and pepper shakers and other Christmas figurines when we were decorating for Christmas. She has played with them ever since. She lines them up and pretends they are people. It is pretty fun to hear the adventures of the salt and pepper shakers. We have been laughing because she will ask, "Mom, can I play with the salt and pepper shakers?" I told some of you this story so last Sunday, Randi brought Allie some more salt and pepper shakers to play with. Thanks Randi. Allie has really enjoyed the addition to her collection. Avery has taken up with this Santa Clause decoration. She plays with him, kisses him good night, and as you can see rides on him. Maybe when Santa brings new toys they will give up on the Christmas decorations.

This weekend we went to visit my mom and dad in Alabama. My brother Danny and his family came also. My oldest brother Jeff and his family live near my parents so we were able to see them also. My mom loved having all the kids at home at the same time. She cooked us some of her vegetable soup which, never turns out as good when I make it. We had a good time with everyone. We dressed the kids for a Christmas picture with my parents. It turned out cute. We also took one of all of us. But as you can see Chris and I spend more time on dressing the kids, than ourselves. I really wish we had been dressed better, because it turned out to be a pretty good picture. It is nearly impossible to get everyone looking at the camera at the same time, especially with 3 small children.

My Baby

Today my baby is 18 months old! I can say that I am a little sad about it. It seems like she is growing much to fast. She is really starting to become a toddler and all the things that go with that like testing limits, throwing her food, and getting into everything. She is also talking a lot. Well, at least to me. I am quite sure know one else can understand her, but I usually know what she is trying to say. She is a really sweet little girl and I am enjoying watching her grow and learn new things everyday. Here are two recent pictures of her. ( Not like you haven't seen any lately!) I tried to get a good picture of her today, but she is not into the picture taking. She sits down like she is going to cooperate and as soon as you hold up the camera she just gets up and leaves. I guess that goes along with being 18 months old.

Here is Avery dressing her baby doll. Notice she dragged out all the clothes to find a pair of her pants and diaper to put on her baby.

Santa Came to Town

We had our Christmas party at church for the kids today. They were able to decorate cookies, make crafts, and see Santa! We had a good time. Here are some pictures.

A family picture

Avery is still not so fond of Santa. She did blow him a kiss as we were leaving, but she was still crying. Allie did great.


Avery decorating her cookies.


Avery checking out her decorations.


Avery with Hannah, Erin, and Emily


Allie and Emily with the picture frames they made.


Allie decorating her cookie.

Avery and the Christmas Tree

On Saturday, we pulled out all the Christmas stuff to decorate. I love Christmas decorations, but I just don't like actually doing the decorating. (or cleaning up afterwards). While Avery was sleeping we decorated the tree. I was thinking the whole time how it was going to be a nightmare keeping Avery away from the tree. Well, the nightmare has begun. She was awake about 5 minutes, when I turned around and she had 3 ornaments in her hands. Sunday night, right before we were leaving for church I heard the sound of many ornaments clanging together. Even though I was in my room I knew what had happened. Sure enough Avery pulled the whole tree over! Really nothing was broken and the girls were not hurt. Maybe since we got it out of the way early, she will leave the tree alone. Last night, she seemed a little scared to go near it.
Here are a few pictures from Saturday night.

Traditions

I love traditions. Maybe that is why this is my favorite time of year. Well, this week the holiday traditions started. On Tuesday, Mandy and I took the kids to ride the Pink Pig. We have been going since Allie was about 2. We also saw Santa. Avery was not very fond of Santa. She didn't scream, but she did cry a little and was pointing at me saying "mommy" the whole time. We got a picture anyway. Allie was a very big this year. (Last year I had to sit in Santa's lap with her) She sat with Santa for a while and gave him her list. Then we went to ride the pink pig. All the kids had fun. I even think Nina liked it. Mandy's mom and grandma went. Thankfully, because we were like a walking circus with all the kids. It helped to have some more adults!

Here are all the kids.

Who knows why Allie looks like this. I think it was

because she didn't want to take anymore pictures.

On Thursday, we spend Thanksgiving with my family. My mom's sisters and brother and their families all get together, so it is a pretty large gathering. We had a good time. I don't know why but I forgot to take any pictures. It seem like the day went fast this year. We had lots of great food and a fun day with family. Allie loves it because she gets to play with her cousins all day. I love it because the Erin and Hannah played with Avery all day. They are great babysitters!

Then, on Friday the women of my family participated in our other Thanksgiving tradition, shopping on Black Friday! We start when the stores open. Kohl's opened at 4:00 this year. So we went a little after 4:00. I really hope they don't start at 3:oo next year. I don't know if I can get up that early. We had a great time and of course got lots of good deals. I can't wait for next year.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Wee Feast

Allie had a Thanksgiving feast at school this week. They invited the parents, so Chris took off work and came. It was really cute. We were the pilgrims and the kids were the Native Americans. The kids had a little program prepared. I had a bad feeling about Allie and the outfit she was supposed to wear and I was right. She walked in behind her teacher with a pouting face. As soon as she saw us, she took off her hat and then her shirt. All the kids stood in a circle to sing. All the four year olds, but not Allie. She wouldn't sing or put her outfit back on. I don't really know why she didn't want to do it, but there was no talking her into it. For those of you who know Allie you know once she makes up her mind, you can't change it. And she made up her mind she was not wearing that shirt or hat and she was not singing. Anyway I took a few pictures. She did put her shirt on for a picture with us (and even smiled like she was happy). All in all we had a good time. She was really cute in her little costume for the one minute she had it on. She enjoyed the food and playing with her friends. Last night before dinner she put on her stuff for me to take picture and then played in it!




Pictures with mom and dad.


Isn't this a happy face?


Here is Chris trying to talk her into wearing the shirt.



Here is Allie before dinner, playing in the same shirt she wouldn't wear at school!

Last Soccer Game

Today was Allie's last soccer game. We all enjoyed the soccer experience, but I think we are all glad it is over for now. She got a trophy and was very excited about that. This afternoon she took her trophy for a ride in her Barbie Jeep.







Avery watching the game from my chair. It was cold today.

Halloween

Here are some Halloween pictures. Allie got to dress up for school. So, she didn't want to be Ariel. ( the costume we bought for Halloween). She wanted to be Belle. They had a party at Allie's pre-school and so Chris and I went with Avery. Then I took the kids Trick-or Treating on the square. It is always a lot of fun. Lots of little kids in cute costumes. Avery just loved watching all the kids. We went out for a little while last night before we went to church. Allie changed her costume choice again! She was a Auburn cheerleader. The Brinkleys and the Kellys came over and another family that they are friends with. That made it so much fun for Allie. She ran and ran with the big girls. I think she had more fun running around that getting the candy. Avery walked for a little while and then Ed pushed her in the stroller. She just rode around looking at everything and trying to eat candy through he wrappers. She loved her princess dress! All in all we had a fun time. Can't wait until next year!


Allie and Avery after Trick-or- Treat on the square.



Halloween night




All the girls. Aren't they cute!!!!

Fall Festival

We had a fall festival at church on Friday night. The girls had a great time. Allie was Ariel and Avery was Ariel's fish friend, Flounder. They were cute, but let me tell you Allie has been a nightmare about the costumes. She changed her mind on a hourly basis, even after we bought the Ariel costume. She finally agreed to be Ariel but only with clothes under it, because it scratches her! Chris suggestion is to wait until the last minute and then buy a costume next year.












Avery enjoying her cupcake!

Allie and her cousin Emily