Every Days An Adventure

2009-12-19T20:04:00.000-08:00

Finally

2009-12-19T19:48:00.000-08:00

Oh Finally!!!! Aunt Mena, Uncle Blake and Renna wer down!!! So for about 2 1/2 weeks the Winfields were back and fourth betweeen Tyler and Athens. It was so good to see them. Renna has grown up so quickly. Avery did very well with Renna, of course Peyton thought she looked like a fun toy to play with, but for the most part she was more interested in what the big girls were doing, which was usually causing mayham. They spent a lot of time at V's house (Addi calls Avery V) which was under the piano. Avery decided when they were going to go to V's house (or she at least tried). They loved going into my parents bathroom and screaming. Let's see they also went skinny dipping in my parents pool (which is not heated). They went fishing with Uncle Blake. The funniest thing was when Avery called Renna (her mommy calls her Renna Benna) Render Bender. Too cute! Then of course there was the time that all the girls including the adult girls were on our parents bed because Avery and Addi told us that it was time for us to go to bed, hmm who runs this show? Then there is just watching the girls Avery in the lead, Addi right behind her, Peyton on her hands and knees going as fast as she can to keep up and Renna just looking on. There was the time also that the 3 bigger girls were all crawling around after each other. Or the time all 4 girls took a bath together. Can anybody say CHAOS!!! But we loved it and wish that they lived closer. Wonder how it will be with a little boy toddling behind the girls.

Around the house

2009-12-19T19:23:00.000-08:00

Just some fun pics of the girls

Halloween 2009

2009-10-31T20:17:00.000-07:00

Halloween 2009. Avery decided to be a bride instead of Cinderlla, but whatever makes her happy. Nonee, Popee, Aunt Mal, Uncle Paul and Addison came over to go trick or treating with us. The girls had a blast. They Packed their bags and went to "sonic". They hide on my bed from the Nonee monster (earlier it was the daddy monster, mommy monster, and Avery monster, she is into that right now). Avery and Addison have so much fun together, they are so cute! Wish that Aunt Mena, baby Renna and Uncle Blake could have been here.

MMM Cottage Cheese

2009-10-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

Block party

2009-10-27T19:25:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin patch with G-mom and G-dad

2009-10-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

Pappy's pumpkin patch

2009-10-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

Avery's first school field trip

2009-10-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

Peek-a-boo

2009-10-27T18:22:00.000-07:00

all dressed up

2009-10-27T18:19:00.000-07:00

Avery Cut her Hair!

2009-09-25T22:49:00.000-07:00

Yep Avery finally cut her hair! I knew it was just a matter of time. It's really not that noticeable if you don't know to look. She was cutting paper and the next thing I knew she was giggling and bent over Peyton (tickling her with the hair she just cut). She turned around and held out a handful of hair to me. I had to laugh. We discussed how we don't cut hair only paper and if you are not sure then ask mommy or daddy. Oh well it's just hair. At least she didn't get hurt or cut Petyon's hair (she doesn't have too much to cut so either she could have gotten cut or it would have really looked funny). That's our live, crazy but fun and loving every minute (just some more than others).

Colorado

2009-09-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

We left for Colorado on Wednesday, Chris and my mom left earlier and my dad and the girls and I flew to Amarillo where we met mom and Chris. The girls did great on the plane. we had to explian that this time we were only taking one airplane. My dad explained and pointed out a lot to Avery and she just soaked it all up. When we landed Avery laughed and gently yelled "weeeee, that was fun. I want to do it again." Then my dad asked if she could see Nonee, so Avery is darting her head back and forth between the two windows saying (enthusastically) "Nonee, Nonnee, where are you Nonee?" We got off the plane and we had to wait for a little while for mom and Chris. I put Peyton on her blanket but of course she didn't stay. I just let her crawl around the floor. Not exactly clean, but poor baby was going to be in the car seat for the rest of the night. We drove through the night and got there early Thursday morning. We hung out at the house. Friday mom, Avery, Peyton and I went for a hike. First we had a picnic where we were attacked by a chipmunk. Avery wanted to feed the chipmunk but we told her to wait until we were done eating. I had one leg on each side of the picninc table bench with Peyton between my legs feeding her baby food. I turned my head just a little and out of the corner of my eye I saw a chipmunk on the bench with me . I kindo of squealed and he ran off. I am not afraid of chipmunks it just took me by surprise. He did not leave us alone the rest of the time we ate. We went on our hike. At first Avery was not into it at all, but then when we started crossing little creeks and being trail blazers she got into it. We climbed and "Avery" sized boulder field, crawled over and under fallen down trees and enjoyed the beauty that was around, oh and Avery loved "playing" in the dirt. Both the girls did great!!!! Avery was having so much fun she was asking for us to take her picture and in the beginning of the hike she was very worried about getting dirty by the end she wanted to get dirty to show she was a real hiker! Peyton had the best seat! She got to enjoy the scenery without putting in the effort. I think she knew that too. She just grinned and laughed and kicked her legs the entire time! They did great! They will be little camping girls hopefully. Avery is asking us when we are going camping, like in a travel trailer or tent. Hopefully soon we will now that the wheather is starting to get cooler. Friday night we were sitting around the camp fire and I was cooking smores (no one else wanted any). Chris was holding Avery and she said "mommy don't eat all of them" very concerned. Chris said "yeah we don't want mommy to get fat" Avery sat there for just a second and innocently said "like you daddy"! HAHAHAHA! We all died laughing! Oh she is too funny! Saturday Mom, the girls and I took a drive. Oh it was absolutley beautiful!!! The aspens were beginning to change color, there was a gentle breeze in the air, oh it was perfect! We went in to Pegosa had lunch, shopped and then went to the hot springs. Peyton loved it! Avery loved water when she was a baby but not like Peyton. Peyton's arms and legs go 90 to nothin everytime she is in the water or thinks she is getting in the water. When I take her into the bathroom and turn the bathtub water on I can't move fast enough for her. I sit her in my lap while I take her clothes off and let the water warm up. She does everything she can to slide herself into the bathtub. The other day I started the water then had to get something from her room. Oh she was mad!!! She did not like me taking her away from the bathtub. She is very cute. Avery enjoyed it too, but she said they were too hot. The one we were in most the time was 92 degrees! She is her father's child when it comes to that. The colder it is the more Avery likes it! We watched the longhorns play and Avery and I played go fish. She is starting to get the hang of it. She likes playing games. Peyton of course was crawling everywhere and pulling up on everything. Sunday Chris and I took a ride in the mountains just the two of us. It was very nice. So beautiful on top of the mountain looking down at the lake and trees with the clouds rolling in. After our joy ride we took Avery fishing. She enjoyed it (of course she does not actually have a hook on it, its a big plastic butterfly, but she still has fun). At one point she said "I got one" then a couple of seconds later a very disappointed "no I didn't get anything". She was precious. She hasn't quite got how to keep her finger down and then relesase as she is casting, but she will get there. Monday we drove back to Amarillo and mom, the girls and I flew back to Dallas. We got to Tyler at about 11pm and Chris got in at about 1:30. We had so much fun but were glad to be back to our bed mostly! Oh yeah the infamous bus ride. When we went to the airport to got to Amarillo with my dad the shuttle man was extremely rude. I was trying to find Peyton's pacifier and dad and the girls were already on the bus. He was in a hurry (even though there was no one else on the bus) apparently I was taking to long and her drove off without me!!! Not only that but Avery was standing up when he took off. She grabbed ahold of my dad. It really scared her, not that I blame her. The whole trip she talked about it and how mean the man was and she didn't like buses and she didn't want to ride another bus. When we rhode the bus on the way back the man was nice, Avery said so. It was scary for her, but it was a good learning experience about why we should always be nice and be nice to people whow aren't nice like God tells us to do. The closer I get to God the more I see teaching opportunities when I would have probably wouldn't have before. Although I wish Avery didn't have to go through it I hope that she learned that God wants us to be nice all the time and to everyone!n More pics below and more to come. My mom has most of the ones of the girls.

Avery rides her bike

2009-09-25T21:34:00.001-07:00

Daddy's Birthday

2009-09-25T21:21:00.000-07:00

Chris's birthday party was just our family! Avery decided she wanted to decorate for his birtday. She knew he like baseball so we did a baseball theme and even made him a baseball with the girls handprints on it. We had dinner, presents, cake, then went outside. The girls swung then Avery wanted to go down the slide. I slide Peyton down after her (holding her of course). Avery decided she wanted to slide with Peyton. Mommy wasn't tall enough so daddy got that job. They had so much fun! They are so cute!!!! Then we went inside we daddy "passed out" face first on the floor in the living room. The girls loved it though. They just crawled all over him. It was sweet. A great night celebrating daddy!

Spokane

2009-09-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

We had a blast in Spokane!! We are so glad that we got to go up and see Aunt Mena, Uncle Blake, Baby Renna and the kitties. The girls did great on the airplanes. We were very pleasantly surprised. We got to Spokane at 11 their time (1 am our time). Thursday we hung around the house until the afternoon when we went to a spray ground park. Avery had a blast running around in the water. The temperature outside in the shade felt wonderful, ecspecially compared to Texas. Peyton was just kicking those legs trying to get in. So I stood her up near one of the little fountains. BRRR that water was chilly, but Peyton didn't mind one bit (I knew Avery wouldn't). She just laughed and tried to get closer. At first she just kind of jumped up and down then she figured out how to take steps. Her first time to take steps (with me holding her hands) was toward water!!!! The girls loved it. They were so cute. We hung out at the house and visited that evening, so good to be with them again. Friday we went downtown and went to a park then to the children's museum. Avery and Peyton's favorite part was playing in the water. There was a little house made out of branch type stuff that Avery claimed as hers and began to clean. I guess she was imitating me, now only if she would do that at our actual house!
Saturday we went to a Peach Festival. It was so much fun. Avery got to ride a pony and Renna sat on one. Avery has gotten very good at riding on ponies. She is my child, she wants a horse!!!
We picked peaches. Avery had a blast, Uncle Blake and Daddy picked her up so she could pick them. She was loving the attention. Petyon was wided and looking around and Miss Renna was sacked out. Oh the things we can tell her when she is older! We also went to a big cat rescue center where you could actually feed one of the tigers (with a stick). Guess who wanted to do it? Fortuanlty you had to be 8 so that saved us from saying no. That evening Avery was walking up the stairs with Aunt Mena and said "your kitties don't like me" Aunt Mena tried to explain that they aren't used to kids, but she said "no your kitties don't like me" in this poor pitiful voice. Then Peyton attacked Renna!!! Avery of course is old enough to know to be gentle with Renna and she was doing great, loving on her , talking to her, but my wild woman thought that she would make a good toy. She wanted to touch and grab on Renna. We had Renna on her little play mate and Peyton was on the other side of the room. Before we knew it Peyton was right at the end of the play mate and she had grabbed one of the feet to Renna's PJs. She actually drug Renna for like 1/2 a second. Renna was fine (she may have even enjoyed it) but we grabbed her quickly then laughed. Peyton was disappointed that her play toy was taken away. Man that girl is strong. On Sunday we went for a hike. It was a nice hike. Avery wanted to hold Aunt Mena's had the whole time. It was sweet. She loves her Aunt Mena, Uncle Blake, Renna and kitties. The guys jumped in the water, but did not last long. Avery wanted to get it too. She got in up to her waist and decided it was too cold. That evening Avery made food for Aunt Mean a big plate of pine cones and pine cone needles! MMMM! Monday we went on another small hike then to a community pool. We went out to eat for our last night. It was sad! I miss them. I wish they were closer, but we will visit as often as we can. We had so much fun. Avery still talks about it and says "you go on 2 airplanes to get to Aunt Mena's" "I want to go to Schlitterbahn with Aunt Mena, Uncle Blake and baby Renna". Oh yeah then Tuesday we got up at 4 am so we could get to the airport! Fun!

Spokane Pics (several)

2009-09-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

Playing Piano with Popee

2009-08-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

Pics in Mommy's veil

2009-08-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

The hats

2009-08-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

Random pics

2009-08-26T19:56:00.000-07:00

Both the girls reading

2009-08-26T19:40:00.001-07:00

Dedication

2009-08-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

Dedicating my girls to God

2009-08-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

August 16 we dedicated the girls to God publicly at Grace Community. We actually never dedicated Avery before. Not because we didn't want to we just never were involved in a specific church after Avery was born, but we always tried to live our lives and raise Avery to know God and to trust Him. Dedicating the girls is just a public decleration saying that we are going to try to raise our children in a Godly way, to love Him, trust Him, seek Him, and have a intimate relationship with Him and many other things. We have always done that (at least tried), but this was just us publicly saying that we know that we are blessed to have these children and that they are not ours to do with what we want but to raise them according to Gods wishes. Chris and I have been doing a lot of spiritual searching. We have become very involved in our church and are now seeking more of a relationship with God. So I guess in a sense we were dedicating ourselves to God again as well.

Schlitterbahn 2009

2009-07-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

We just got back from our annual trip to Schlitterbahn for Chris's family reunion. Avery had a blast. Last year she really enjoyed the pollywoog pond (slides for little kids), but this year we went down several of the big rides. She has been looking forward to going to Schlitterbahn for a couple of weeks. When we finally told her we were loading our car up and going she just started squealing and dancing. It was very cute. The entire way there she would ask if we were there. Everytime we slowed down or stopped "are we at schlitterbahn?". "schlitterbahn is too far". We got there Wednesday and took all the kids Chloee, Timothy, Cameron, Avery and Peyton to the pollywoog pond. Avery enjoyed running around and going down the slides. Peyton also had a blast sitting in the water and splashing with her arms and legs. Thursday the men were incharge of the kiddos (except Peyton she went with mommy) while the women went to the outlet mall. I found some cute clothes for next spring and a few for the rest of this summer. After we got back I took Avery on a couple of the rides (Peyton and Daddy stayed in the room). We went down The Congo (tube ride that uses the Comal River water and has several slides in it, the beginning is decorated like the Congo River with Fog and animal noises, etc. Avery loved it. She was smiling the whole time. When we got done she said she wanted to go on them again the next day. On Friday the women took the kids to the pollywog pond while the men played in their annual golf tournament. Avery enjoyed playing, but kept asking when we were going to go down the two rides (and she holds her little finger and pointer up like the the longhorn symbol. She counts like a Longhorn!) Peyton enjoyed playing in the water and watching the other kids. She didn't even mind being splashed in the face. After the men were done G-mom and G-dad took Peyton and Daddy, Avery and I went on the rides with Aunt Shannon, Uncle Ryan, Chloee and Timothy. They had a blast. We went down 4 rides, the Congo, the Cliffhanger, Bonzi (enclosed tube shoot) and another one. The kids loved them and were ready to go again. They did very well waiting in line too. Saturday was our Family reunioun then we took the kids to the pollywog and then on the Bonzi (which they rhode 4 times). They had so much fun. It was so fun to watch them play. Avery did several things that were funny, but I think one of the funniest things was when Chris and I were ridding rides without the kids. Our room was right next to one of the rides (the congo) and G-mom said that Avery stood there looking saying "Adriane, oh adriane. Where are you adriane? I don't see you adriane" I thought that was pretty funny. Oh also we had 2 double beds in our room. Chris and I on one, Avery and Chloee on the other and Peyton in her Pack and Play in the middle. One night we walked in to get ready to go to bed. The kids were already asleep. Chris looks at the beds and says "where is Avery?" I look around and my heart starts pounding. I could not find her. Then Chris laughs and says "look there she is" Some how she had fallen between the bed and the pack and play. She was half way under the bed. There was hardly any room between the bed and the pack and play but Avery fell between them and stayed asleep. It was too funny!

Schlitterbahn 2009

2009-07-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

Fourth of July

2009-07-13T19:04:00.000-07:00

Okay so on the fourth of July we didn't do anything. Chris had to work so it was just me and the two girls. I took them to a firework stand and we got some fireworks. I was going to attempt to do them myself, but Avery decided to act up that evening so we did not do them. My mom's birthday is July 5 so I took the girls to there house for the day. We went swimming and ate dinner. Then Popee (my dad) and Avery did the fireworks that we had bought. I am glad that it happened the way it did. My dad and Avery really enjoyed it and it was nice that they got to do that together. Avery loved the fireworks! Peyton was some what entertained by it. Avery loved lighting them and watching them. It was a lot of fun. I am so glad that Avery likes the fireworks. I have always enjoyed them. We had a good Fifth of July.

Fourth of July

2009-07-12T21:22:00.000-07:00

So it begins!

2009-07-12T21:17:00.001-07:00

Avery has a toy and guess who is coming to get it! This should be interesting!

Computer wiz like her daddy

2009-07-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

Trying to keep cool

2009-07-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

So not too much has been going on since I last checked in. We have been trying to keep cool. It has been extremely hot lately so we have been staying indoors. So that has been a little tough at times. We have been doing a lot of crafts and painting and dress up. Peyton is now sitting up without any help and is crawling. Well it is more like a military crawl. She keeps her belly on the ground and pushes with her feet and pulls with her elbows. She is starting to try to get on her hands and knees, but she can get where she wants to. We are in that phase again where we have to be very observant about what is around her and what she can reach. It is just harder with the 2nd because Avery still leaves things around. We have been working with her and she is doing pretty well, but she is only 3 and Chris and I don't always put up our stuff either (and she will let us know). It is funny to see the differences in the girls already. Avery loved eating, if it was food she would inhale it. Not Peyton, she just wants to nurse. We started her on cereal, but she wasn't crazy about it. We just started carrots and she likes that more, but she still is not real impressed with it. She does love to drink out of a cup (water). She drinks some of it, but most of it ends up on her clothes. We have now gotten the jumper and exersaucer out. Taking up more of the living room, but she loves them, specially the jumper. She just jumps and jumps in it. She is just growing. I can't believe she is almost 1/2 a year!
Avery has been busy herself. She is as always being mischievous. She went back to school this week (2 day a week). She isn't sold on her new teacher. She still wants her old teacher. She does like her new teacher she is just used to her old own. She still enjoys going to school and looks forward to it. She is becoming quite the swimmer. She is really trying to swim. She does back flips in the water and is trying to kick and swim. With help she is going down to the bottom of the 3 t0 4ft part of the pool to get her diving sticks. We are going to Schlitterbahn soon so I hope she will go down some of the rides this year and have fun. Other than that not too much is going on. Catch you up soon.

In the Jumper

2009-07-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

Peyton Sitting

2009-07-03T20:55:00.000-07:00

My Two Girls

2009-07-03T20:50:00.000-07:00

One more for the week

2009-06-09T21:50:00.000-07:00

Okay so no pics today, but Chris is off this next week so I don't know how much computer time I will get so here is a quick update. Peyton has decided that she does not want to sit in her chair in the bathtub. She's a big girl. She doesn't need a chair she can sit right in the middle of the water! Or so she thinks. I am going to have to buy a mat for the tub so she doesn't slip as easily. It's my own fault though. Avery was at her Mi Mi's house over night so I thought Peyton would enjoy taking a bath in Mommy's big bathtub. I got in with her to hold her up so she could play. I didn't want to actually get in the pool outside. She loved it. She is a little water baby. Those how have seen her know that she just kicks those arms and legs none stop! She had the biggest smile on her face. She just laughed. So the next night I put her in the little chair thing and she keeps sitting herself up and trying to roll out. So Peyton and Avery took a bath in the big bathtub together. Both the girls loved it. Peyton was kicking and splashing so then of course Avery started. They were very cute. Speaking of Avery being gone. Peyton was very excited to have all the attention for a little while, but she began looking around for her sissy. At one point she saw Avery's pic on my cell phone. She smiled her huge whole face smile, started laughing and talking. I am pretty sure she missed her sissy. She entertains Peyton so much. I can make her laugh, but not like Avery. Which is very sweet. When we got Avery and Peyton saw her she just grinned and strted kicking her legs and talking.
So today we went outside while it was still some what cool. Chloe (our dog) and Figaro(the cat) have become quiet the friends. They chase each other and play. Figaro will attack Chloe and Chloe will attack Figaro, all in play. They are fun to watch. Avery gets the bright idea to slide down the slide with Figaro in hand. The next time she took him up (I figured if he didn't like it he'd show her) Avery just tossed him down the slide. I told her not to do that again and she said "He likes it". Poor kitty, but he has never purposefully scratched her or bit her so I figure he doesn't mind too much. Today he also got shut in the oven (no not the real oven, Avery's play oven). So I had to explain to her that he needed air and that she could not shut him inplaces like that. The next place that I found that Avery had put him was her play dress up chest. It is card board and has holes where you pick it up with. I told her to let him out and she said "It has holes, he can breath. He was sleeping" Leave it to Avery to find a loop hole. She is too smart sometimes. We really have to be careful what we say around her, because if there is a way around it. She will find it. Yes sometimes she does go against directly what we said, but a lot of times she will find a way around it. While you have to laugh at her for being so creative, independent and smart, she still disobeyed, but in her eyes she doesn't see that she disobeyed she just found another alternative. Like when Amanda was down in Athens a few weeks ago. We were in the study looking at pictures on the computer. We had turned the lights off so we could see better. Avery didn't like that, she couldn't see. After me telling her we were not turning the lights on and whinning and crying and throughing herself onto the floor did not work she decided to take matters into her own hands. She leaves the room and a few moments later we hear this loud noise coming down the hall. My mom, Amanda and I looked at each other. They asked what Avery was bringing down the hall. I replied "there is no telling" and Amanda said "I bet she is bringing something to help her turn the light on". As soon as she said I knew that is what she was doing. Here came Avery walking into the study with the step stool dragging behind her. She unfolded it right under the light switched. Climed the two steps and turned on the light climbed down and turned around smiling. We all were laughing. My poor dad, I don't even know if he had any idea what was going on. It is times like that it is tough. On the one hand she was very smart and creative and solved her problem on her own and while it is histarical, she also disobeyed what I said. So I am trying to discipline her but at the same time fighting trying to hold my laughter in. It is worse because she knows she is cute and she did something funny. Oh the joys of being a parent, but it is one of the best jobs in the world. Most of the time it is not a job at all.
One more thing before I go. I am now 25!!!! Yay! Yesterday I took dinner to a couple that is friends of ours that just had their 2nd son last week. Seeing him and seeing Peyton. I just can't believe that a little under 5 months ago she was like that and now she is smiling, laughing, rolling over, standing with a little support, getting up and hands and knees, etc. I am so glad she is growing and everyday is more fun with her and more fun with Avery and more fun with the two of them together. But it just flies by so fast. It seems like yesterday I was going through all this with Avery. I am defiently blessed and thank God everyday, even the days when I feel like all I am doing is disciplining a stubborn 3 year old, that He has blessed me with such a wonderful family (all my family) friends, my husband and my two daughters. I could not have imagined a better life. So on my (day after) birthday I want to tell everyone in my life, friends and family how much you mean to me and I am so blessed to have you in my life. You all help mold me into the person I am. You challenge me (even when I don't want to) to be a better person. You hold me accountable (even when I don't want to). You give me guidance, support and love. I just want to say how truly grateful I am that God has placed you in my life and my childern's lives.

Playing in the Crib Together

2009-06-03T22:24:00.000-07:00

Galveston

2009-06-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

Quick Trip

2009-06-03T21:43:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know Chris works 7 days in a row working 12 hour shifts, but then he has 7 days off. It really works out nice. The weeks that he is off we just spend time together as a family and the weeks that he works I get a lot of things done around the house once the 2 girls go to sleep. This past weekend Chris and I decided to take the girls on a quick trip to Galveston. And Amanda as you read this "I don't like Galveston now that you aren't there!!!:(" So by quick trip I mean one night! We decided this because we had planned to take the girls to Florida this summer but after memorial day the prices went up $100 a night! Well we already told Avery that we were going to the beach sometime, so she kept telling everyone she was going to the beach "tomorrow". When she told us that she was going to the beach "tomorrow" on Thursday we figured why not just go to Galveston. Well we had it all planned. We were going to get up and leave by about 8 in the morning and get their around lunchtime. Of course Avery (our alarm clock) who normal comes in demanding breakfast between 6:30 and 7 sleeps until 8:30! Needless to say we didn't get off until about 10:00. Then with a 4 month old and a 3 year old we had to make several stops (mostly for the 4 month old). Houston traffic was as always very fun to drive through. We didn't get to the hotel until about 4 and didn't get to the beach until 5.
Finally we were on the beach! Peyton and I sat on some towels under an umberlla while daddy and Avery went in the water. Avery enjoyed it. She ran in the water and jumped when the waves came. She and daddy went out together. Then about 15 minutes into it a wave came a splashed her in the face. She was done. She no longer wanted to play in the water, she wanted to play in the sand. Just to inform everyone Avery has gotten in this phase where everything stings her eyes. Not that I am saying the salt water didn't sting. So Avery cam ashore and played in the sand.
Meanwhile Peyton and I decided to venture out into the water. Peyton was amazed by the waves and watched the water as it rolled in and out. She kicked the water and seemed to be enjoying it, but alas the wind picked up and that was the end of that. She was no longer in awe of the water. All she wanted was to be out of the wind. We ended up staying on the beach until about 7. Periodically getting in the water. Avery mostly played in the sand, buried daddy, and looked for sea shells with mommy. Peyton took a small nap on the towel and returned to the water for a few more minutes of water torture :) or should I say wind torture. I only say that she did not like the wind because when we returned to the hotel we got in the pool, which was surrounded by the hotle so no wind. She loved it! She smiled and laughed and just kicked her arms and legs. She is a little water baby. Avery as always enjoyed the pool and even put her floaties on and could go into the deep end without being held. Avery would splash and jump and squeal and Peyton would just laugh and squeal too. We went to the Rainforest Cafe to eat then I ran into Wal-mart to get a few things. While I was there there were a couple of guys (young) who decided to get into a fight right at the front doors. I stayed in the back of the store (the girls and Chris were in the car). I thought "great, I am going to get shot here in the Galveston Wal-mart" :). It is kindof funny. So we finally got to the hotel. Avery I forgot to mention claimed the top bunk. There were bunk beds. They were very narrow. I didn't like the idea of her sleeping on the top but it had railing that was long enough to cover her whole body. They were narrow enough that if she had slept on the bottom she would have fallen off more than likely. So Avery continously told us she was sleeping on the top. So she did. Chris put her in her bed and she had a huge smile on her face! She still talks about sleeping on the top and she wants her own bunk bed so she can sleep on top.
The next morning we got up and got out on the beach at about 8:30. We were there 15 minutes maybe and Avery starts crying. She was in the water so we asked what happened. She told us that she stepped on a rock. Her crying got louder and louder. Chris picked her up and put her on the towels. At this point she was screaming and holding right above her right ankle. We kept trying to look at her leg, but she litterally kept flopping down and rolling while holding her ankle. She would get on her hands and knees then just flop down. I felt so bad for her, but it was kind of funny to see her moving like that. We realized she was stung by a jelly fish. That was the end of our day at the beach. We went to the pool and played then went home. That evening Avery told us she liked the beach and wanted to go back, but she didn't like the jellyfish. She asked Daddy to get on the computer and show her where the jellyfish were so she wouldn't get stung by one next time. I thought was pretty smart of her. That was our trip to Galveston, short, but very exciting!

Doesn't He Look Comfy!

2009-05-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

Figaro

2009-05-17T18:57:00.000-07:00

Introducing the Newest Family Member...Figaro

2009-05-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

So we took the plunge and got a cat!!!! After moving into our house nearly 2 years ago Avery has been asking for a cat. She loves cats. My older sister has two cats. When she came down with the cats Avery would chase them everywhere. She learned how to say the cats names before she learned any of the families names. Even last time when Amanda came down and did not have the cats Avery was looking under the beds for them (that is where they like to hide). Avery still talks about Aunt Meana's cats and when we skype she wants to see them. So after 2 years of talking and asking for a cat we decided to let her get one. We discussed it with her and explained that this would be HER cat and that she would need to feed it, water it, play with it, take care of it, make sure it was safe, etc. Obviously she is only 3 so she cannot do everything (like changing the litter box), but she can definelty help and be incharge of overseeing the cat. We have a dog and so we have seen with her that Avery really does do well taking care of her and feeding her.
So yesterday we went and got ourselves a kitty. He is 7 weeks old and his name is Figaro. He is a very sweet kitten. He was very scared at first. Avery immediatly wanted to play and didn't understand why Figaro was running behind the washer and dryer. After a while though he got used to us. He began meowing for us and rubbing on our legs and purring. He seems to be a people cat. He likes to be with us and be pet. We introduced him to Chloe (the dog). We put Figaro on the patio table. Chloe could not reach him but would place her front legs on the side of the table and put her chin on the table and stretch as far as she could to see him. Chloe is a very sweet and loving dog. She thinks he is her new playmate. I am not worried about Chloe being mean to him, just over active. So yesterday was a day getting Figaro and us used to each other. He spent the night in a kennel with his litter box, towel, food and water outside in the garage. He meowed a lot. It was funny when I put the 2 girls to bed Avery was crying and the cat was crying. I joked with Chris and said "The only one not crying is Peyton and She's the BABY."
Today we played with him and Avery got more used to carrying him. She took him in her room and tried to make him sleep in one of her toy baby doll bathtubs. She would lay him in it and put a blanket on him. He would jump out and she would go back and get him and the process would repeat. He obviously did not care for it, but not once did he hiss or try to scratch her. I warned her though. She enjoyed playing with Figaro. Whether Figaro enjoyed playing with her or not is a different story. We went for a walk this evening and put Figaro in his kennel in the garage. He was not happy and he was definetly not happy when we walked away from him. He was so loud. Litteraly we were 4 houses down and could still hear him meowing/barking. It wasn't really a meow it was more like a bark type thing. He clawed to try to get out. I felt bad for him and of course Avery wanted him to come with us. When we got back we played with him some more. So far we are enjoying it and Avery is doing very well. Peyton just loves to watch him. We will see though.

Peyton in the Easter Basket

2009-05-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

Miss Peyton

2009-05-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

Miss Avery

2009-05-06T21:04:00.000-07:00

My Two Girls

2009-05-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

Big Smile

2009-05-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

Already May

2009-05-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

Wow I can't believe it is May! This year has been flying! I can't believe Peyton is almost 4 months old! Life is so fun with 2 and it makes the time go so fast. I really cannot believe how big Peyton is. She started rolling over from her back to her stomach on Thursday April 30 and from her stomach to her back on Saturday May 2. She really grabs for things now and moves things in her hands, of course they almost always end up in her mouth. She is very interested in our food. When I hold her and eat she just stars wided eyed at my food and then watches me bring the food to my mouth. I feel so bad for her, but I am no ready to start cereal and stuff yet. In a month or 2 she will be and then baby food then real food. They just grow up so fast. I just can't believe it. Peyton is also pushing up with her hands and even trying to get her knees under her. Avery started crawling at 4 1/2 months. I don't think Peyton will be that early, but probably not too far behind. She also is doing very well sitting up for a few seconds by herself. It just seems like here in the past couple of weeks she has really started doing a lot. She loves to watch Avery and I can tell she wants to be right there with her. She just smiles at Avery and laughs at her. Avery was playing on the bed the other day and she would fall down and as she was getting back up she would make this moaning sound. Peyton thought it was hilarious. She was just laughing. Peyton loves to hear sounds. She is very alert and very interested in the world around her, but she is also very content to just sit in Mommy's arms and watch and take it all in. She is a very content baby. She goes to sleep extremly easily. Most nights I read to her, rock her a little, put her in bed turn her mobile on and she falls asleep by herself and sleeps through the night maybe waking up once. Avery on the other hand still has trouble going to sleep sometimes. She wants to sleep with Mommy. So everynight after Peyton is in bed I lay with Avery for a "couple of minutes". That has seemed to help, but sometimes she still gets upset when I leave. We went to Mi Mi's house last week (without daddy) and I had 2 bed parnters. Avery slept between me and the wall and Peyton slept between me and the crib that I pushed up against the bed. Peyton did not want to sleep in the Pac N Play, everytime I put her in she would wake up. I hated to haver her sleep with me, but after several tries at getting her to sleep in her bed I gave up. That was a sleepless night for mommy. Avery is doing great most of the time. She did a great job picking up and told me she was a "big helper" which is what I had called her earlier. She also has been told that Swiper (from Dora) can come and get anything that has been left out after she has been asked to put it away. That has seemed to work. Avery is very strongwilled and when she decides to behave, she is great, but when she decides she doesn't then it is a battle of wills. We are trying to get her strong will guided in the right direction and to help her to see when and how to use it. She is also getting more curious about God and Jesus, which is Wonderful! She asked me today where Jesus lived. She also went on to tell me that Jesus made Chloe (our dog) and that Jesus likes dogs. Today is the first day that she has out of the blue asked about God or Jesus. This is very encouraging to me and makes me want to really make sure and surround her with the bible and scripter. She may not act like she gets it at the time, but she is obviously getting pieces of it. Avery also went to "sleep" in the closet (our pantry). While I was cleaning the kitchen she put her blanket and pillow in there and acted like she went to sleep. She also told me that Grandma and Grandpa were sleeping on the shelf above her. oh yes she also said out loud to me "Hey there are 3 old ladies" as three older women (and yes they were older) were getting up and leaving from the table across from us. I had to laugh. I have never heard her say that or even thought that I have said that, but she said it. I couldn't help laughing but told her that we should not call people old. The things she says and does are so funny. She is so smart and picks up on things so quickly. We really have to watch what we say and do around her. We are having a lot of fun right now. I am loving being a wife and mommy of 2.

The family

2009-04-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

Easter Eggs

2009-04-13T19:49:00.000-07:00

Decorating

2009-04-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

Easter

2009-04-13T19:11:00.000-07:00

As with every other holiday we celebrated Easter for a week. The weekend before Easter we had Easter at my parents house since Chris was going to be working Easter weekend. We went to our church's Easter thing, which was fun. We got to see some guys to those trick slam dunks with the trampolene. Then they had an Easter Egg Free For All becasue the just put the eggs on the football field, they weren't hidden. Avery did very good getting the eggs. We then went to Athens. We dyed Easter Eggs, which Avery enjoyed, but I don't think she was too impressed with it. Oh and the girls (Avery and Addison) decided to go swimming. My parents have a pool that has a very large really shallow end. so they were playing in that area. We couldn't believe it. The water was really cold, but neither one seemed to mind. Eventually they got out so we took off their panties and diaper only to have them get back in. Then they were running around the pool starke naked. They were so cute. It is so funny how most kids like to be naked. I guess it's from how we were meant to be until Adam and Eve ate the apple.
Sunday we went to church, then to lunch then went home and eventually hide Easter Eggs and let Avery and Addie hunt them. There were a ton of Easter Eggs. This year was the first year that the children (my sisters and I ) didn't get anything. We didn't even get to hunt easter eggs. I gues we are completley grown up. Avery had fun going through her eggs.
The Saturday before Easter Sunday we went to G-mom and G-dads and hunted easter eggs at their church. Then went to their house and had lunch then dyed easter eggs and hunted them. They also had fun jumping on the trampolene.
Sunday the Easter bunny came for both the girls. Avery enjoyed opening her presents and she opened Peytons and showed her. Then we went to church and then out to lunch. I put Peyton in the nursery for the first time, but it didn't last long. I am glad she is getting bigger, but I am also sad. I think it is harder this time because I realize how fast they do grow up. With Avery I was sad, but I just didn't realize how fast they grow. Chris rolls his eyes at me. I am so blessed to have a wonderful loving caring husband and two beautiful healthy girls. I think about Easter and about how God sent His Son to die for us. It just amazes me that He has that much love, mercy, grace, forgiveness. No matter what we do He will always forgive us. He always loves us and He never turns away from us or abandons us. Though through hard times we sometimes feel that He has left us. I know that He is there and He will carry you through it if you just trust in Him and lean on Him.

Visiting Family

2009-04-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of weekends ago we went Oklahoma to visit family and show off Peyton. Chris, my dad, both girls and me went in our car. I sat between the 2 car seats (how fun). The girls really did well. Avery played for a while then we turned movies on for her and Peyton slept most of the time. We only had to stop twice for her to eat and one of those we ate also. The other times she woke up I would read stories, which Avery would want to see too so I was going back and forth to show the pictures. Avery would say "I want to see" when I was showing Peyton and Peyton would start kind of crying when I was showing Avery. I guess they are both going to be readers, which is great.
We lefted Athens at 3pm and got to my Nana's at 10pm. Avery had feel asleep so we just put her straight to bed in the room where my dad was sleeping. We visited for a while and then went to sleep. Amazingly Peyton went to sleep also.
Saturday morning we went to my dad's parents and visited with them. Showed off Peyton and then went and saw other family. Basically the whole weekend was full of seeing family. Both my parents are from Oklahoma so we made the rounds while we were up there. It as really nice to see everyone.
The girls did great on the way back also. We stopped in Dallas to eat and we saw an airplane, Avery said "I ride an airplane to see Aunt Meana and the cats. Nonee is at Aunt Meana's" and she was. My mom had gone to help my sister get things ready for my new niece that is due in August. We passed Six Flags and Avery said she wanted to ride those. So my dad said he and my mom would take her. Now she keeps asking when she is going to ride them.
It was a really good trip.

Avery on Wheels

2009-04-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

First Bottle

2009-04-13T18:57:00.000-07:00

Roller Blades

2009-04-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

So it has been a fairly busy month with Chris getting a new job, Avery hitting the terrible threes and Peyton being awake more and wanting to be held and have mommy talk to her.
After Avery's birthday I got some rollerblades so I could exercise a little without having to go to the gym, plus our dog Chloe needs to loose some weight too. Of course as soon as Avery saw them she wanted some. We got her some from the money she got for her birthday. She actually did very well. I was very impressed, I think she did better than daddy. We found that holding her hand made her do worse then letting her go by herself. We started out just skating in the garage and eventually venturing out to the street, which was a sight in itself. Chris pushed Peyton in the stroller (in his roller blades, oh yes he got some too) and me skating beside Avery. The whole family was on wheels! We decided not to take Chloe yet. Peyton loved it. She would just watch Avery and smile so big. She already loves to watch Avery, she smiled and laughed at Avery before she did at daddy. The other day Chris threw Avery up in the air and Peyton just laughed. Avery loves the fact that she can make Peyton smile or laugh. It is really sweet to see the two of them, but I already know I am going to have my hands full once Peyton is crawling. Peyton will want to do everything Avery does and Avery will either encourage her and get themselves into things or she will get tired of her and be screaming for me to get Peyton.
Peyton also started occasionally taking the bottle, just when I am gone. The first time she "took" the bottle daddy tried to give it to her. I stood and watched (I wanted to see her first bottle experience). Peyton looked up at daddy then at me and she had this expression on her face like "why is mommy over there, and daddy is here and what is in my mouth". She didn't take it too well. She has gotten better but she still resists a little but eventually decides something is better than nothing.

One more

2009-03-09T14:36:00.000-07:00

smile

2009-03-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

Peyton

2009-03-09T14:27:00.000-07:00

Like My Glasses

2009-03-09T14:26:00.000-07:00

Scuba Sue

2009-03-09T14:24:00.000-07:00

Present from Aunt Meana

2009-03-09T14:21:00.000-07:00

The 4 of us

2009-03-09T14:19:00.000-07:00

Toodles Birthday Cake

2009-03-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

Birthday Time

2009-03-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Aver

2009-03-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

Avery is turning 3 so we had her birthday at Faulkner Park on Saturday March 7. It was a Mickey themed birthday, request of Avery. She was so excited. There are several family members that have had birthdays the past few weeks so Avery was very confused when we talked about her party and being 3 but then someone else had a birthday. G-mom's birthday is a few days before Avery's. We told her we were having dinner with G-mom for her birthday she said "no, it's my birthday". Then when we sang happy birthday to G-mom Avery sat there pointing at her self saying Happy birthday to me.
Well we finally go to her party day. She was so excited. All she wanted was the cake and the presents. We just had family this year. It was a lot of fun. the kids played for a while then we had cake, which Avery stuck her finger in before we even took a picture. She was so happy when we sang Happy Birthday to her. After cake we opened presents. She is now quite the present opener. She has no trouble getting to the gift. She loved all her presents. The funniest had to be the googles. She opened them and wanted them on. So I put them on. She went to the playground and started playing with the google on. It was so funny. She got a lot of presents and she loved them all. Peyton did great. She was held the entire time so she was happy. After we got home she wanted all her presents opened. And we finally got some pictures of Peyton smiling although she has been doing it for a few weeks. It was a really good day. I can't believe she is 3!!!

Quick Recap

2009-03-09T13:47:00.000-07:00

Okay so this Tuesday is a Big day for me! 3 years ago at 7:48 in the evening Avery was born and 8 weeks ago at 7:54 in the morning Peyton was born. Wow, I can't believe Avery is 3 and Peyton is 2 months! It seems like yesterday Avery was 2 months now she is 3 and I have a new little one that is 2 months! It is just flying by. The past few months have been very busy. It has been filled with lots of diaper changes, laundry, "mommy hold me", feedings, up in the middle of the night, but it has also been filled with lots more hugs, kisses, "I love you Mommy", smiles, laughs, and so much more. Having two definetly has its challenges but it is WONDERFUL. I love having my two girls. They are so much fun. Peyton is now smiling and she is pretty easy to get to smile. It is so sweet to watch her face light up when you start talking to her. She kicks her legs and arms and is beginning to laugh a little and coo. She is also starting to grasp at things. We are in the process of really trying to get Avery to pick up after herself that way when Peyton starts crawling Peyton won't have anything to grab and stick in her mouth which will make everyone happy (except Peyton, I am sure she would be very happy to find things to stick in her mouth). Avery is a great big sister. She loves all over Peyton, maybe a little too much. She loves to hug her, kiss her, rub her face or head, hold her hands. She is so funny when she talks to her. She will say "Good morning sweet girl" in a high pitch (copying me). You can tell what I say to her and Peyton by listening to Avery. Avery time Peyton cries Avery says "mommy she's hungry, you need to feed her". Of course most of the time she is right. She eats every 2 hours almost on the dot, but at night she is now waking up only 1 time. So I can take every 2 hours during the day for 1 time at night. The only time Avery has a hard time is when she wants me to hold her or all my attention and I just can't give it to her right then. I do try most of the time to put Peyton down, but Avery also has to be patient sometimes too. Peyton so far has been a great baby. She is very easy going and laid back. She really does not cry that much. She loves to be held, but she also likes her swing. She already seems to be entertained by Avery. She just stares at Avery. She really is a sweet baby. I have been extremely blessed with both my daughters and have a wonderful husband, family and friends to support me.

I'm Halloween

2009-03-05T14:40:00.000-08:00

Avery wearing a giraffe towel running around saying I'm Halloween

Mommy and the girls

2009-03-05T14:23:00.000-08:00

Mommy and the girls

2009-03-05T14:20:00.001-08:00

Mommy and the girls

2009-03-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

2009-03-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

Bath Time

2009-03-04T14:29:00.000-08:00

Avery holding Peyton

2009-02-03T21:16:00.000-08:00

Taking a nap

2009-02-03T21:14:00.000-08:00

Peyton Alexis

2009-02-03T21:12:00.000-08:00

My girls

2009-02-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

A family of Four

2009-02-03T20:45:00.000-08:00

So I haven't written in a little while, but I have been a little pre-occupied with my TWO Children!!! YAY! Peyton Alexis was born Tuesday Janurary 13, 2009 at 7:54 am weighing 8lbs 1 oz and 20 1/4 inches long. These past few weeks have gone by so fast. I can't believe I am a mother of 2. It is so amazing. I was really worried that I would not love Peyton as much as I did Avery. I loved her from the moment I found out I was pregnant, but it was different than with AVery. It is amazing how God works. The moment she was born it was like my heart grew. From that first cry I loved her just as much as I do Avery. I can't imagine life without her. Even when she was just a few hours old I couldn't imagine. It was like she was always here. She just fit in our family perfectly. I love both my girls so much. Right now it isn't so bad sharing the attention. Peyton still sleeps a lot so I give Avery my undivided attention when Peyton is asleep. That way when Peyton is awake I don't feel so bad doing things for Peyton. I do still play with Avery. Peyton LOVES to be held so I put her in my snugglie that way she is held close to my chest but I still have my hands free to play with Avery.
Avery is doing pretty well. She loves Peyton. She squeals everytime she sees her. She wants to help give her her bath, change her diaper, calm her down. She helps get things for me. When Peyton cries Avery gets beside her and pats, hugs and loves on her and says "it's okay peyton, I'm here". It is so cute. She is such a good big sister. She is still ver clingy to me sometimes. It is getting better, but she wants mommy to hold her all the time, mommy to sleep with her, to get her out of the car, play with her, etc. She has told me to not feed Peyton before so I could hold her. It is just an adjustment and she really is doing better than I thought she would. Yesterday she kept throwing a soft ball at me (we had played catch earlier), but I told her to stop because I had Peyton. I turned to talk to Chris. She threw the ball and hit Peyton on the top of her head. It didn't hurt Peyton (it was very soft and Avery can't throw that hard). She just looked up at me like "what was that" She didn't even cry, but Avery did. She did like being disciplined. She was not meaning to hit Peyton she was just wanting to play catch, but she still had to be disciplined for not listenting to mommy. It is just things like that. She wants to play or do something and she doesn't understand that we have to do things with Peyton sometimes. We can't just put Peyton down whenever she wants to play. We put Peyton down sometimes when Avery ask, but other times we tell her she needs to wait. We don't want Avery to think she runs us, but we don't want her to think that she is not as important to us as Peyton. We are still working on our new family of 4. We will always have room for improvement, but I do think we are off to a pretty good start. I am just so blessed and happy. Words cannot describe the joy I feel when I hold both my girsl or she Avery loving on Peyton. God has blessed me in more ways than I could ever ask. I have a wonderful husband, who I love very much, 2 beautiful daughters, health. He gives us everything we need and even things we don't need. He is always there for us. It is hard sometimes to see it, but looking at my family I Know that God loves me so much. I look at my family and I am over come with love and joy. I know there will be hard times. I know that as Peyton gets more awake and we start going out and doing things it will be harder. but I know that God will and has given me the strength and support I need to enjoy these times.

Daddy and

2009-01-05T15:22:00.000-08:00

All smiles

2009-01-05T15:21:00.000-08:00

Sparklers

2009-01-05T15:18:00.000-08:00

New Years

2009-01-05T15:04:00.000-08:00

Wow!!! I am actually updating my blog fairly quickly. Let's see if it continues. Avery as I am sure you can tell loved Christmas and wanted to know when Santa was coming again. Eventually we had to take down our Christmas decorations. Avery was very sad to see our blow-up Santa go into the attic. There are still a few houses in our neighborhood that have their lights up still, but most of them have put them up. There is a blow up Mickey that someone has that Avery LOVES. She was sad to see that it was no longer there. She said "Mickey in their attic", that is where our santa is. She still says things occasionally about our santa, but has for the most part moved on.
We didn't really do a whole lot for New Years. We went out to eat, then got ice cream, and then got just a few fireworks. Avery was very excited about doing the fireworks. As soon as we got home she was ready to do the fireworks. We started off with sparklers. At first she didn't know what to do, but she got the hang of it quickly. We did a few sparklers, then did Roman Candles which Avery helped daddy hold. The a few fountains and some spinning things. Avery really seemed to enjoy it. She was very excited she got to hold the fireworks. THen we went in and took a bath and got in bed, unwillingly. Chris got on the computer to do his work and I did laundry. We just didn't do much this year. It is hard with little ones because I didn't want Avery to stay up until midnight so that limits what we can do, but it was fun.
Just about anytime now Miss Peyton may decide to make her apperance. I am so excited and a little nervous about how everyone will adjust, but I know it will be great. I cannot wait to meet her. I love being pregnant, but I am definelty ready to meet this little one. I believe we have everything all ready for her, now we just need her!! I just pray everything will go smoothly (we are having a C-section) and that we have a healthy baby. God has blessed us with these children I just pray I am doing an okay job. It is such an amazing and scary thing being a parent, but I love it so much. They bring so much joy and happiness into my life. It is hard at times, but nothing worth doing comes easily. So the next time I blog I should have BOTH my beautiful girls to write about.

Christmas at Nonee and Popee's

2008-12-28T20:26:00.000-08:00

Who Needs Miseltoe

2008-12-28T20:18:00.002-08:00

2008-12-28T20:18:00.001-08:00

Christmas at G-mom

2008-12-28T20:16:00.000-08:00

Jump

2008-12-28T20:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas Morning

2008-12-28T20:10:00.000-08:00

Christmas at Mi Mi's

2008-12-28T20:07:00.000-08:00

Christmas

2008-12-28T19:48:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving has come and went and yet again I have not kept up with my blog. My older sister came down for Thanksgiving and we spent the week with her and my brother-in-law. It is hard to be so far from them, but it sounds beautiful in Washington and they sound like they enjoy it. except for all this cold weather. Too cold for me. We will just have to visit them.
Christmas flew by. I cannot believe Christmas is already over. It seems like it was just Thanksgiving. Avery was a lot of fun this year. She really is starting get the Santa idea. She would tell us that santa was going to bring her presents, pink presents. If you asked her again she would say a dollhouse, piano, dolls, makeup. I guess she must have been very good this year becasue Santa brought all of those things. She went on the Polar Express train with Nonee and Popee. She loved it. She got to wear her PJs, drink hot choclate, sing Jingle Bells, see Santa, and then eat Pizza! She still talks about it. She didn't see the movie before she went but she did after and she connected some of it to what she did. Wen also went to Land of Lights (a big park filled with lights). Avery really enjoyed that too.
We celebrated Christmas with Chris's mom a couple of weeks before Christmas. She opened a few presents then she helped me open one of mine. It was money, but Avery was throwing the paper out of the bag and the money went with it. It was cute. We also told her that she didn't have anymore presents after opening a couple. She jumped down from her chair, said "Oh okay. Let's open my stuff". Of course she had more but it was cute.
Christmas Eve we went to the church service and then had dinner with my parents. We put out cookies, milk, and a letter for Santa and put magic reindeer food out for the reindeer. Christmas morning Avery was so excited she tore into her presents. As soon as we got done with one she would go to the next one. We went to Chris's dad's afterward, which was hard on Avery to leave all the presents she had just opened. We spent the day there and by the time we got home she was asleep so we put her in bed. At 3:30 she woke up ready to play with her toys. We finally got her to go back to sleep. We told her the sun was not up, when the sun was up she could play with her toys. At 8:30 she rolled over blinked her eyes and then shot up and said "the sun's up. I play with my toys" and jumped off the bed and ran to the living room.
Friday afternoon we went to my parents and had Christmas with them. Then extended family came down Saturday. Avery made a haul this year for Christmas. It is fun watching her get so excited about Christmas and presents and toys, but I also am trying hard to show and teach her the true meaning of Christmas. That God sent His Son to Earth to die for us. We would talk about it and read stories and things like that. I want her to enjoy Christmas and the gifts but I want her to know and live the meaning of Christmas.

Trick or Treat

2008-11-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

Nonee, Popee, Addie and Aver

2008-11-20T08:43:00.000-08:00

Minne Mouse

2008-11-20T08:39:00.000-08:00

Halloween

2008-11-20T08:26:00.000-08:00

Halloween finally got here and Avery was so excited. She had been looking forward to Halloween since the beginning of October. She decided that she didn't like being Little Mermaid (the costume hurt she said) so she became Minnie Mouse with Little Mermaid's crown. My parents, sister, brother-in-law and niece came over to go trick or treating. Avery was so excited. She had asked me the night before what I was going to be for Halloween so I told her "Little mermaid's mom". What about daddy? she asked. "He is going to be Little Mermaids daddy". She was satisfied with that. We began trick or treating at about 6:30. At first Avery wasn't sure exactly what to do. She would walk up to the door lightly knock on it and stand there when they answered. Then ask where are we going next? Soon she was running up to the houses, knocking really well and holding her bucket out and say "happy halloween" or "trick or treat". She had so much fun. There was only one house that she did not want to go to. It was very loud with flashing lights, etc. We talked to her and she said the house was scary. As we talked to her a little more about that it was pretend and not real she said the house was a kind of scary, then a little while later the house was a little scary. We got home and of course Avery wanted to eat her candy. She didn't go to sleep until very late that night.
Then on Sunday we went to Boo at the zoo. My sister, brother-in-law and niece went with us. Avery wanted to wear her princess dress up shoes. We let her, but she walked incredibly slow. Eventually she decided to ride in the stroller. Avery enjoyed going to the zoo with Addison. She calls her "my addison". She knows she is going to have a sister, but she calls addie her sister and told us that Peyton's room was Addison's room. So she does get the idea. She just thinks it is going to be like addison where she comes and goes. It will be interesting to see how she handles it.

Alto Fall Festival

2008-10-29T06:47:00.000-07:00

Peyton on board

2008-10-29T06:41:00.000-07:00

pics from the pumpkin patch

2008-10-29T06:36:00.001-07:00

Daddy and his pumpkin

2008-10-29T06:33:00.000-07:00

Going Off Road

2008-10-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

Playing Catch up

2008-10-29T06:05:00.001-07:00

okay so I have been really bad about updating. I have been so busy with Avery and getting things done that by the time I can get on the computer my husband is usually on and I just don't feel like it. So here is a quick update on everything since the last update. I went to the consingment sale a week after we found out we where having a girl and bought clothes for both my girls. I also bought a battery operated truck for Avery. She was excited about it, but she was concerned because there was no safety belt on it. We had to talk her into it being okay. Which is good that she wanted a safety belt on. She is a little to short still to really drive it real well. she has to sit on the very edge and she can barely get the gas. She also hasn't figured out the steering thing so she will be driving along and we have to steer her when she gets too close to something. She is really enjoying it though.
Avery has been excited about Halloween since we mentioned it at the end of September. She is Ariel the little mermaid for Halloween. She chose it herself. We asked her what she wanted to be and she said Little Mermaid. It is funny though because somebody will call her princess or monkey or something and she will tell you in a matter of fact voice "no I not princess (monkey or whatever) I'm Little Mermaid". She has a battery operated princess camera that talks when you take a "picture". The camera will say "you're as pretty as a princess" and she will tell it "I'm not a princess I'm little mermaid." It is cute. She is adoreable in her costume. We have a red wig but she won't wear it, but she is just as cute as she can be. We have gone to 2 halloween festival things so far. One in Alto with chris's family and the other with our church in Tyler. At the one in alto she wasn't too impressed with the games, but she did do them. She would walk up and place them where the bean bag, etc. needed to go. She didn't attempt to throw it. She had fun though. At the one in Tyler she didn't want to do the games at all. She just wanted the candy. We stood in line to play the games and Avery would get up to the front and just stand there. I had to tell her she had to play the game so she could get the candy. So she placed whatever on the table not even attempting. It was funny. She did like the fishing game. She actually tried to reel the "fish " in. She is so smart. She has never really been fishing but I guess she has seen it on Mickey. She also made a Hole in One at the golf game (with the help of mommy). I think that is pretty good because mommy can't play golf at all. So we did pretty good. We will go trick or treating on Friday.
We also went to the pumpkin patch. It was kind of quick. Avery was sleepy and it was hot. Avery wanted little pumpkins, but we couldn't find any so we finally just said Avery does this one look good. "yeah" and we would get it. She tried to pick them up but they were too big.
Avery now does the Hook'em Horns hand signal and says Hook'em Horns. It is so cute to here her say it. Sometimes it will be out of no where she says it. then of course sometimes we will try to get her to say or do it and she will say "NO not hook'em horns". The other day we were going to G-moms and we had to go to the house first to get clothes. As we pulled into to subdivision she said "I want to see G-mom". I said "we are but we have to go home and get clothes" She looked down and put her hand on her chest and said "I have clothes on". Then she also wanted milk to go to sleep with. I told her milk was for breakfast. She said "no milk is for sleeping. Chocolate milk is for breakfast."
My mom helped us plant a bunch of plants in our front yard this weekend. It looks so good. I can't wait until they grow some more and we are able to do the side of the house too since we have a corner lot. I just hope they do well. We have nothing but clay.
That is what we have been up to. I am doing well with the pregnancy. Peyton is moving all around and she doesn't have much room so sometimes it's uncomfortable. We can't wait to meet her (of course we can wait about 10 more weeks). Her room is coming together and I can't wait until it is completley done. It is so cute.
I will hoenslty try to do better!

belly at 20 weeks 4 days

2008-09-05T19:57:00.000-07:00