We rode a tandem bike for our date last Saturday. Going up the hills here almost did me in, but Curtis was somewhat of a pro. It felt weird to be in the back and feel like I had no control as we speed down the hills. It was fun to try something new.



Avery went to a princess party last week. She had a blast!

Family Tradition a Favorite?

One of the meals in our home (Enchiladas) comes from New Mexico where I grew up. As Avery was eating dinner tonight, she made a look that looked as though she thought the beans were yucky. She then immediately smiled half-way and ate another bite; with a slightly disgusted look on her face she said, "Yummy, it tastes like chocolate mint! I love it!" She was definitely using her positive mind power to overcome the disgust of the food and remained so polite the whole time. Amazingly, she finished everything on her plate!





Avery's first day of Sunbeams! She was sick last Sunday, and so this was her first day and she loved it. I was worried about how she did in class, so I asked the teacher about it after class. She said, "Oh, you have nothing to worry about, she's top of the class." I wasn't expecting that! We'll keep checking in for awhile and hope she continues to do well.

Christmas at Home

We celebrated Christmas early this year, before Coral had to leave for Denver. We went to the temple, before we started our Christmas Eve festivities, to watch Coral sing in the stake Christmas choir. It was a great way to start off the night. When we got back, we played games, played songs on the piano/guitar, opened pajamas, and then Avery had a sleepover with Coral. She thought that was pretty cool. The next morning the kids actually slept in until 9:00! Avery was more into opening presents this year. If you can see in one of the pictures, Avery was so excited that she was half-way screaming, when she opened princess place mats from Grandma Sandi and Grandpa Paul. Mikaya followed her example and screamed with delight every time she opened one too. It was so fun to watch.


Christmas in Thousand Oaks






Mikaya fell asleep while I was holding her.


We went to Thousand Oaks to enjoy Christmas with my parents and my brother's family. Avery had fun playing with her cousins. We went on a beautiful hike and all the kids did great! We enjoyed delicious food and played games in the hotel room after the kids went to sleep. It was nice to see everyone, especially those we hadn't seen for awhile.

Avery fell asleep reading one of her favorite books.





Mikaya and Avery made gingerbread cookies. Avery cut the cookies out and frosted them by herself this time, without my help, which was fun.






For the family celebration, for Coral's birthday, Curtis made what she asked for, yakisoba and meat cooked on our indoor grill. On her actual birthday, she went to see the movie Twilight for the second time and to a soccer game at the highschool.




Avery on a play date at our house. Mikaya fits right in!

We decorated the house on Monday night. We watched "Elf" and drank hot chocolate. I just had to laugh because you picture everything running smoothly on these nights, but with little ones it isn't always the case. Right before we got started, the girls took a bath and one of the little girls pooped in the tub (bet you can guess which one)! It took awhile to clean up and to wash the girls again, but then we just continued with the festivities as though nothing had happened.

Avery and Mikaya in their Christmas dresses. They clean up pretty well! I complimented a little girl's dress at church one Sunday, and the mom actually gave the dress to me, for Avery, because she doesn't have any other small daughters. Unfortunately, Avery doesn't like to wear it, so I sewed a trim onto her one from last year. I have to pick my battles and this way it makes Sunday a little easier. Maybe Mikaya will wear it in a couple of years.

This is a sweet lady that we visit who lives in a retirement home near our house. Her name is Vilda and she is so sweet and has such a great sense of humor. She is 100 years old now, and teaches us to roll with the punches and keep going. If her hearing aid isn't working she'll say, "Oh well, life goes on", with a smile. Avery asks to go and see her now and sits on her lap. It's amazing to think she is 97 years older than Avery.

Thanksgiving

These are two of the very few pictures that we took on Thanksgiving. Drew and Curtis went over to our friends the Blattmans to watch a football game, while I finished getting some decorations up, putting the turkey in, and making sure Mikaya had a nap. Avery and Mikaya helped me make some paper pumpkins that we hung up. The Blattman's came over and we played games with the kids and had appetizers. We had a wonderful dinner with homemade rolls and pies that Jessica made. Curtis also helped by making a delicious cheesecake and pumpkin pie. I did the basics. A little while after dinner, we put Annie down in a play pen and Mikaya in her crib, while Hudson fell asleep on the couch. We played games (this time without kids). It was an all together great Thanksgiving.