Christmas 2010

I have to say that this Christmas has got to be the best yet!  Ava is at such a fun age where she understands the meaning of Christmas and gets so excited about all of the activities and fun.  Hearing her talk about baby Jesus and singing Christmas songs just warms my heart!

Also this year she understands about Santa and was not scared of him this year.  I couldn't believe it when she insisted on sitting on his lap and didn't cry once!!!  The night before we made Christmas cookies for Santa.

Ava loved wearing her apron and rolling out the dough.  Before bed, Ava Kept telling us what Santa was going to bring her and it got me all excited for Christmas morning.  I found myself waking up in the night excited and hoping it was time to get up.

Ava woke up around 7 a.m. and ready to see what was under the tree for her.  The night before as we were setting up Mark had to go in and lay down with her for a bit as she had woken up while we were setting everything up.

Ava was so excited and appreciative of what Santa had brought her.  She kept saying how she loved her baby doll house and thanking Santa.  After playing with the doll house for awhile she finally noticed her new baby doll set with a baby swing and a pack and play.  She also got a Tinkerbell outfit with a matching Tnkerbell doll (Kinkerbell as she calls her).  Ava must have been a good girl this year!!

Ava is modeling some of her new things.  Also in the midst of all of the mess you can see a meltdown happening.  She was upset that she couldn't get the swing to swing the baby up to the sky.

We had a great day watching Ava play with all of her new toys and preparing Christmas dinner for us and some of our Friends.  The Yellman's were in town with no family here like us so we got together for a Christmas dinner here.  It was so nice to have friends over for Christmas!  We will be celebrating with our family in Kentucky this week before heading out on our Snowboarding trip to Whistler Canada.  What a great way to bring in the new year with friends on the slops!!!

Christmas Eve Eve!

Can you believe it... Christmas is almost here!  I haven't been this excited about Christmas since I believed in Santa myself.  Having a little girl who is so excited about Christmas and Santa just brings out the kid in you that is for sure!  We have had a laid back and relaxed week which has been refreshing after the last couple of crazy months we have had.  We are so looking forward to Christmas at home this year and then celebrating with my family in Kentucky next week.

Here are a few pictures from Ava's Preschool Christmas presentation they had last Friday.  It was so cute to see all of the little preschoolers dressed up like Mary and Joseph, the wise men, angels and animals.  The younger group (Ava's group) joined in on the end to sing "Jingle Bells" and "We wish you a Merry Christmas".  The highlight for all of the kids was ringing the bells as they sung "Jingle Bells".  Ava got a little shy with all of the people staring.  She is not shy at home and usually sings to the top of her lungs!

10 Days Until Christmas!!!

Growing up as a Child, Christmas was always very exciting.  Christmas plays at church to perform, Christmas Caroling, great food, family and of course PRESENTS!  As an adult however Christmas can be a busy stressful time of year.  This year I am feeling like a child again living through the excitement of Ava.  She is at the age now where she understands what Christmas is and is excited about what is to come.  She is still afraid of Santa like last year but she understands that he is going to bring her gifts and keeps talking about what he is going to bring her.  This year she is all about dolls, Tinkerbell (Kinkerbell as she calls her), and a big Castle.  As a Child I would be excited about the presents that I was going to get but now I am even more excited for Ava and what Santa has in store for her.  I can't wait!!!!!

 Ready to bake cookies in her apron

Baby it's cold outside.  All bundled up and Ready for School.

Another Year Older

They say you are only as old as you feel and I sure don't feel 35!  I have to say I was not looking forward to this B-day.  35 was just not exciting to me but with my sister in town, great lunch with friends and a fabulous surprise and dinner from the hubby I had a wonderful day.  I had so much fun that I forgot all about the number on my cake and just enjoyed the moment.  Here are a few snapshots from my b-day surprise from the hubby!

 Arriving home from getting Ava at Pre-school this is what we walked into the house to.  A PARTY!  Equipped with noise makers, party hats, cake and presents.

Ava and I had fun playing with the party favors.

Ava sang Happy Birthday to me!

Mark and Ava got me alot of gear for our up coming trip to Whistler Canada

Finally my sister and I remember to get a picture of us too before taking her to the airport.  It sure was nice having her visit for a few days!!!!

Thanksgiving at the Beach

This year we did Thanksgiving a little differently.  This past September my whole family to include parents, siblings, grandparents and my uncle and his family were all supposed to go on a family vacation.  Due to some illness and other priorities getting in the way we had to reschedule.  Thanksgiving weekend sounded like the perfect time since we would already be getting together during that time and most everyone could get off of work.  We booked a short week at a beach house in Destin and celebrated Thanksgiving beach style.  It was so nice to all be able to get together!

 Our view from the house

 Ava just had to have her picture taken with the swans

 Derek looking GQ

 My parents.  I love this pic!

 My grandparents, uncle and mom

 Uncle Tim, Aunt Kelly, Allison and Alex

 Look at that smile on Ava's face as she watches the Dolphin show

 Early morning stroll on the beach

 Gobble Gobble it's Turkey Time!!!

What an awesome way to spend Thanksgiving just wish Jaime and Natalie could have made it then our family would have been complete!!!