The big day

Lets take a stroll back through Ava's past history with St. Nick. Here's Ava's first visit.

The next year wasn't any better. She sat on his lap for a mere millisecond...if that.

Wanting Ava to have a better experience this year, I went into prep mode a week before the visit. We read The Night Before Christmas every night, we acted out possible scenarios that could happen, practiced what she would ask for, and we watched Dora's Christmas Special (where she visits Santa) over and over and over. This is how Ava's encounter with Santa went.

I'm so proud of my little girl! Even though she felt like crying, she held it together. She sat on his lap...leaps and bounds above last year. And by the end of the visit she was even able to squeak out what she wanted. I wish I got a pic of Ava afterwards. She was smiling from ear to ear and would show her bag of candy that Santa gave her to anyone who would ask if she saw Santa.

Reid didn't know what the big deal was. He doesn't care who is holding him, just as long as he's being held.

Here's one lap that both kiddos don't mind sitting on.

This year I decided to start a advent calendar for Ava. Each day leading up to Christmas we do a different activity. Today's activity was writing a letter to Santa. I found this cute print-out that was perfect. Ava loved getting to color it just for Santa.

Just to clarify, the reason why Ava wants a camera that works is because the battery in the old camera we gave Ava, won't hold a charge anymore. So she doesn't just want a camera, she wants one that will actually take pictures.

I know it's not Thanksgiving anymore, but I just had to post this little activity we did last week. Everyday for the month of Nov, we would all write one thing we were thankful for on a piece of paper. Then we would add that strip to a paper chain. I saw this activity and knew it would be a perfect way to record Ava's thankfuls.

My favorite was "loud noises that wake-up Reid". Lets just say that wasn't on my thankful list.

Thanksgiving 2009

Why does Thanksgiving only happen once a year? I wish there were more opportunities to get together with our family. Well, as long as I'm not the one having to cook the big feast! My stomach gets all tingly inside just picturing myself having to do it.

This year Joe and Ashley hosted the holiday down at their place. Thanks guys for putting up with the whole gang for 5 whole days. We really had a blast, especially Ava. She still can't stop talking about how Maddie is her cousin...and her friend. So cute! By the way, I think we should have Thanksgiving in a warm place every year. Anyone agree? Enjoy the pics. I copped out and did a slideshow. As always, I seem to have a hard time paring down the pics to just a few.

A Little Picture to Munch On

Tonights the night. I'm finally going to sit down and edit my Thanksgiving pics. Meanwhile, enjoy this little morsel while you wait. Geez, those kiddos are so scrumptious!

A Little Thanksgiving Nibble

I couldn't go one more day without posting this adorable video of Ava and my niece taken during Thanksgiving.

For Thanksgiving this year we were able to spend it with Josh's side of the fam. Ava got over her fear of Uncle Joe, Reid showed everyone how he's the cutest baby boy ever, and we were even able to convince John and Shelby to watch all 3 kiddos so we could go on a double date. We all had a lovely time. Especially the tutu wearing girlie who asked to go play at Maddie's house today. More pics to come, but I'm too tired to post anything else. So I guess the pics of our day at the beach will just have to wait. Sorry, I guess I should be more sensitive to those who had temperatures below 70 degrees during Thanksgiving :)

Feeling Pretty Dang Good

Today should go down in the record books as the day I finally fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans. Just to clarify, they are pre-pre-pregnancy jeans. Yep. OnesI wore before I had Ava. I'm feeling pretty dang good right now.

Cinderella!

What can I say, but we run a tight ship here.

It doesn't matter if you decide to dress up like a princess. So don't even try flashing me a cute smile.

Okay, I'll give you a 15 minute break. (We actually found Ava doing this after dinner. She was so excited to get a magazine in the mail that was just for her. Cuteness)

Now back to work! Hmmm...I can't really tell, but I think Ava is actually adding more fingerprints to the glass than she is taking off.

She sure does make a cute Cinderella. That's for sure.

I did it!

Don't hate me, but the Christmas tree is up. Here's proof.

Luckily I had already bought both of the kiddos Christmas ornaments while my mom and I were living it up in SF. I just couldn't resist searching through the 30+ Christmas trees filled to brink with ornaments at Macy's. I seriously felt bad for whoever had to decorate all of those trees.

Reid got an airplane.

Ava got a bicycle. She can't wait till she's "bigger and bigger" so she can have one of her very own. Poor little squirt. But the rule is that her feet have to actually touch the ground before we'll get her one. I wish I got a video of her actually trying to ride it. Thank goodness we convinced her that that wasn't a good idea before she actually sat on it!

Where's Reidy? Seriously, he's in the picture. Look closely at Josh's hands. He's actually holding Reidster. I guess Ava won't let anything or anyone get in the way of giving her daddy a hug.

That's better. What a cute little family I have.

In other news, Reid is able to get up on his knees now. Rocking back and forth is he new favorite past time.

Ava is looking more and more grown up everyday and acting like it too!

Tis the Season

It might be a tad bit early, but we're playing Christmas music and we're putting up the Christmas decorations. I think we'll decorate the tree tonight for FHE. I know you all want to!