Four Rounds of Christmas

Our Christmas was split up into 4 smaller "Christmases"......which, you will see in a moment, was because to do it all in one day would have been TOO much!

 

So......here we go!

 

ROUND 1:  Mimi

 

It started one day with a few presents....

 

And a few more presents...... 

 

And the boys took some time to check out how things worked..... 

 

Then we went to that evening to open a few more presents...... 

 

And then wrapped up Christmas #1 with Mimi the next day........that is A LOT of stuff! 

 

ROUND 2:  Just Us

 

Christmas Eve we got all dressed purty to go to church.

 

I tired getting a picture of both kids, but Landon was having some "I don't want to" issues..... 

 

This was the best I could get of him.... 

 

After church he got his stuff straightened out and stood just long enough for me to get a decent picture. 

 

A little rough-housing and we were ready to start the show! 

 

As tradition has it, you can open a couple gifts on Christmas Eve, and one of them is always jammies to wear for the night Santa comes. 

 

Then we let them choose something from under the tree to open. 

 

I did say UNDER.......Avery was just taking the long way, I suppose! 

 

We got Adam's parents on Skype and Landon did a little show and tell... 

 

And they let him open a present from Auntie Lisa.....watch out folks! 

 

So while the kiddos were nestled all snug in their beds, the elves were busy putting together something that had 97 million parts!

 

It was worth the two hours it took.......somebody loved the new kitchen!

 

Landon got busy with "pents" from Santa... 

 

Avery got in on the action too! 

 

ROUND 3:  Uncle Kevin, Auntie Pam, Jeremy, and Mandy

 

We all went over to Jeremy and Sara's house for Christmas and dinner the next day. 

 

Auntie Pam made the kids cookies of their names......

 

Avery's lasted about 2 minutes then was gone! 

 

Landon loved "helping" anyone with their gift.

Here he is with "Boom-geem" (yes, that is really what he calls Jeremy!) 

 

And Avery and Sara hit it off really well! 

 

 

Landon hung out with "Uncle Kay-bem"..... 

 

Avery offered to help clean up.... 

 

Back at home the next day, Landon dug into the rice krispie train kit that Mandy got for him.......

Does she know this kid or what?!  He played with the frosting for HOURS!! 

 

ROUND 4:  Uncle Dean and Auntie Deb

 

We had Dean and Deb over for dinner and they gave the kids this really neato race track and cars..... 

 

Landon dug right in! 

 

Apparently it is good for all ages..... 

 

Dean and Avery took a stroll..... 

 

....then she "helped" with the race track. 

 

 

PHEW!!!!  I think we are all done with Christmas for 2012! 

 

And I am completely done with marathon blog posts!  :)

 

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and we wish you a Happy New Year!

Avery.....10 months!

Ten months old.....it does not seem like it has been even half as long!

If she weren't such a cute, sweet baby, it would feel twice as long, I am sure!

But she is a doll!

She has grown into quite a mischevious creature.....if it is in her reach, it must be hers! 

She is always available to be a helper......especially with laundry! 

Avery used to not like being held for a long time, especially if it wasn't nap or bed time.

But she sure didn't mind Uncle Elzie....especially when ice cream was involved! 

She is so curious and interested in what everyone is doing.

She really likes to offer a hand when Daddy is doing a project! 

When Mimi and Sadie came to visit she was soooooo interested in Sadie......

even wanting to be IN her kennel! 

Or playing with her on the floor. 

Avery is so happy all the time and she finds joy in every little thing.

With Christmas and presents to open, she had a blast with the boxes. 

She has finally decided to take over for her brother on the wrestling arena.

*I have no idea why the picture flipped, but just tilt your head!* 

One special moment from this month was our visit with the Hatfields.

They have a daughter just a few weeks older than Avery.

This is the two of them in May: 

And here they are just a couple weeks ago......apparently Avery was not happy about something for the moment! 

And my favorite part of this month.......Avery's first Christmas!

I loooooove this little outfit from Cousin Sabrina! 

I tried getting a picture of both of them before Christmas Eve church, but Landon was not having it!

So I got just Avery looking cute! 

Then Landon decided to say sorry for being a goober.....sweet! 

But there will be more on Christmas and the festivities in another post......this one is just about the little ham! 

The stats this month:

Height: 27 1/2 inches

Weight:  20 pounds

She is sooooo close to walking!!!  I swear she will just take off any day!

She climbs stairs like a pro....and fast too!!

She stands up on her own and will balance there for a while before sitting down.

She will eat anything you give her!  Seriously....she took down ham balls the other night!

She has mastered the sippy cup, something Landon didn't do until he was over a year.

She loves to talk to you......whatever noise she makes, if you make it back, she will just keep the "conversation" going. 

Her new favorite activity......pulling off all the toilet paper on the roll.

Second favorite activity.....splashing in water (especially the dog bowl or toilet bowl YUK!)

I will show you more of her pretty face when I tell you all about Christmas......all 3 rounds of it! :)