Mark's Birthday Celebration

On Monday we celebrated Mark's 36th birthday.  I had originally planned a little surprise party type celebration for the weekend as were supposed to spend the weekend in Atlanta with friends.  Atlanta had some bad rainy weather so we decided to stay home so off to plan b.  With Ava in School Mark and I were able to have a lunch date and then I rushed home to start making his birthday cake.  Let me just start by saying baking is not my thing nor do I enjoy it but a friend showed me a mountain bike cake idea on Pinterest and I just had to try this special cake for Mark.  Once Ava got home from school we put the finishing touches on it and prepared dinner, presents and decorations while waiting for Mark to get off work.  The cake was a hit!  My favorite was the sweet family picture Ava drew to go along with her birthday card to him.  She is becoming quite the little artist!

 Yummy icing!  

 love the family picture by Ava ! 

 Helping daddy blow out his candles

Christmas and New Years with Family

This year we decided to stay home for Christmas so that Ava could experience Santa and all of the fun at home.  It also meant less to pack for us.  On Christmas Eve Oscar the elf made his last appearance with presents for Ava and a note explaining he would be going back to the North Poll and would see her next year.  She got to hug him and thank him before he headed off.  On Christmas morning Ava, who was a little under the weather, woke up with excitement of what Santa had brought her.  She was horse but still jumping up and down with joy.  Seeing Christmas through a child's eyes makes it all so much more fun.  We enjoyed opening gifts, and having a nice breakfast at home.

 Silly faces as we prepare to make a gingerbread house

 A Happy little girl!

The day after Christmas we drove to Kentucky to have Christmas at my Mom and Dad's house.  Pretty much as soon as we arrived we all gathered for a great meal and lots of presents.  Ava was a little under the weather but that didn't stop her from enjoying the festivities.  We all were spoiled this year, especially Ava!

Peyton didn't like the flash!

We had an ugly Christmas sweater contest.  I made mine LOL!  Can't get much uglier than glitter puff paint and cheap ornaments sewn on a shirt!!!

Jaime handing out the gifts

My brother refinished a baby doll crib that I played with as a child and that was my mom's.  He made a matching chest to go with it to hold all of the baby gear.

Barbie Karaoke was a hit!

Mom and Dad even decorated the Tree House

The rest of the week we spent trying to visit all that we could,  unfortunately it was hard since Mark and I both started feeling a little sickly towards the end of the week.  We ended the week with another Christmas dinner at my grandparents house and a weekend celebrating the New Year with my Sister Natalie, her husband Jaime and my sweet Peyton.  I can't believe how much she has grown since I saw her last.

Awww cousins!  

Ava coaching Peyton to eat lol!

As always we had a great visit and hated saying goodbye to everyone but hopefully we will get another visit in soon!