Christmas Morning 2011

It has been awhile since I’ve sat with our memories and typed them into this blog. Christmas is such a time for memory making that it almost demands recording…in a wonderful way. Daddy surprised me with a new camera for Christmas, and it was such a wanted gift since my camera broke and I have not been able to capture all the moments this December has brought us. I cried at his thoughtfulness (of course) and was happy to be able to start snapping pictures again. The time without a camera was actually okay too as it forced me to enter into the moments with you guys a little more, not having to bother with the camera and picture-taking. That being said I am thankful for your Daddy’s thoughtfulness and that by it we were able to photograph these Christmas memories. He gave me the camera on Christmas Eve, and so the snapping began on Christmas morning…

Lily loved her new baby with a binky and it was entertaining to watch her master the art of tearing off the wrapping paper.

Ava is such a cozy girl, she LOVED her new ducky neck pillow (just in time for the long drive to Prescott) and she wears her new bathrobe all the time.

Elijah could hardly wait to try out his new wheels, He didn’t even take the time to change out of his pajama shirt.

And then there was the BIG gift, Daddy stayed up late nights (for several nights) to build this new fort for you guys and we (by some miracle) were able to keep you from wanting to go in the back yard so it remained a surprise. Daddy climbed up there so he could take your pictures as you came outside to see you new “Kid’s Club” as you later named it.

Elijah was quick to run out first…

and once Ava saw the excitement she was right behind him!

Daddy told you the secret entryway and then you were all up there bouncing around. Elijah and Daddy started discussing what to build into this fort to make it even more cool, a tire swing, a window, a trap door, a roof…and I look forward to watching you build together.

 

 

We all hammered down a messy breakfast of Strawberry pancakes, and I must be in the habit of no pictures because Daddy was the camera man that morning while I gladly took it all in…soft warm cheeks, giggling blonde hair, and bursting boy energy, and all amidst the knowledge in my heart that Christ came, He loves us and He came.

Week 35 {October 9th–15th}

 

Sunday {October 9th}

Headed to Enchanted Island at Encanto Park today, it wasn’t at all crowded and was a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon with our little family. All the rides are geared toward young kids so even Lily got in on the action! Elijah couldn’t resist climbing the trees and looking out at the lake for fish. Ava was a little cautious at first but was taking on all the rides in no time.

Being goofy.

  

Daddy and Elijah got soaked playing a castle game where you fire water canons at each other.

Lily ‘won’ a little carnival game and her prize of choice was a life-sized Dora. She was a little star-struck with it at first and enjoyed taking care of it like a baby and was cradling her new friend and speaking softly to her.

 

 

 

  

Monday {October 10th}

Elijah removed the spiral wire from his notebook and was having a good ole’ time trying to trick us by yelling “Hey! Can some one please pick up this piece of paper I dropped?” I of course played along so he could yank it away and laugh at me…Ava loved being pranked so it was a good way to get some giggles out.

 

 

Tuesday {October 11th}

Oh the cheeks!

 

 

Wednesday {October 12th}

Starting to not feel so super these two decided to snuggle up on the couches for a movie instead of playing outside today.

 

 

Thursday {October 13th}

Elijah had to stay home sick from school today, Lily loved the company! She sat with him at the computer while he watched some National Geographic videos about bugs, she kept saying “eeewwwww!”

Brushing his teeth before bed and I caught him “shaving” like his Daddy.

 

 

Friday {October 14th}

Time for some Friday Night Lights!

#29 in his WAY too small shirt that wont stay tucked-in to his shorts, isn’t he cute?!

 

Ava plays with Kendal and Lily’s friend Molly joined us tonight with her family for the game and dinner afterward.

 

 

Saturday {October 15th}

Yes! Elijah still has his uniform on (it was just a LATE night with our friends over). Him and Ava were out and about first thing this morning and created their own little outdoor band. Elijah would pound that stick he had wedged between branches on the bucket and Ava would tap and pat the flip flops ‘drums’ and rattle the tree branches…it actually sounded pretty cool!

Week 34 {October 2nd- 8th}

Sunday {October 2nd}

I made a new fall wreath the other day. My wreath from last year did not make it, which is fine with me because this one was easy to put together and I am loving the way it turned out.

 

 

Monday {October 3rd}

Monday mornings are pretty enjoyable around our house, Avery is home with Lily and I and we take a little extra time having breakfast and sipping our coffee, today Lily got a treat.

 

 

Tuesday {October4th}

Ava’s purse! This has been her constant companion over the last few weeks. She takes it in her backpack to school, she grabs it before we head out the door to go anywhere, and she even wears it around the house. She loves all the pockets and compartments, you can usually find a pez dispenser in the cellphone pouch, along with a piece of paper with her daddy’s cellphone# scribbled on it, and LOTS of other random toys…I even saw one of Lily’s binkies in there, which Ava said was just in case we ever forget to grab one.

 

 

Thursday {October 6th}

Lily stole my camera and I am pretty amused by her pictures and point of view!

 

 

Daddy clearly being a good sport.

 

Elijah’s beloved lizard that he painted…

A chubby hand trying to get a better shot of said lizard…

followed by just the hand.

 

 

Friday {October7th}

Picnic at the park to see Lou and Nikki one last time before they are stationed in Utah, followed by some Daddy/Son time going to a Night Fishing event at the park.

I hate that this picture is blurry, but it’s just the way our camera is behaving these days. Elijah was the only one to catch one of these!

 

 

Saturday {October 8th}

I love spying on the girls through the window. Ava musters all her strength to shove Lily up onto the Trampoline before hoisting herself up there, they love to throw the balls at each other and roll around and chase one another while bouncing.

Sisterhood is so sweet! …and so is Lily’s hair-do that Ava tries to pat down ever few minutes, good looking-out big sis.

Week 21,22,23……30,31,32,33, life happens!

Okay, so yes, life happens. Things get busy, cameras get lost (I’m not going to name names on who I believe to be the culprit…but Lily you take off with my camera frequently so don’t blame me!) camera gets found and by that time weeks have passed by and here I am and I know I will NEVER make up all those weeks I’ve missed so this is a hodge-podge of the time that has lapsed and next week I will start afresh!

{ First Day of School!}

Elijah is a big 2nd grader with a FUN teacher and he is seated right next to the turtle cage, awesome!

Ava is a tiny kindergartener being extremely brave and there is no way I am leaving her here, well I guess I have to.

Walking away from the school I am tearing-up and looking on my Lily’s face and the idea of one-on-one time with her helps cheer me up…a little.

I love these tired eyes in the morning and waking up early to doll her up for school, she asks me why I can’t open my eyes all the way, it’s because it is 6:30a.m.!

Such a fun Big brother!

Lily is always so glad when Brother and Sissy get home from school to play with her.

Caught her with her baby doll’s plastic pacifier in her mouth!

.50 cents for an awesome new lounge chair

Lunch up at the school today with Traci and kids.

Fresh off the bus and ready to tell me all about the school day’s happenings.

Had the Brokaw’s over for dinner, such a treat. 

Went to The Children’s Museum today, it was CRAZY, and fun, and CRAZY!

Went to Family Camp and it was SOOO fun it is going to get it’s own post, but here is a sneak peak at some of the silliness we had going on in our tent and also a picture of us all at breakfast one morning.

I can hear it now, “But DADDY says it’s okay if I sit on the counter…” I suppose there are worse things.

“Do you feel lucky?”

   

 Elijah found a new friend.

Craft Night: Pinecone Owls, even Lily got in on the creating this time!

This is my life.

 

Marriage Retreat: meaningful. inspirational. wonderful.