Christmas Hustle and Bustle

We have been very busy getting ready for Christmas. "We" did a great job decorating our tree. I think the girls each put up one ornament and then they were done. So, pretty much Cory did a great job decorating our tree. We did have a lot of fun with our Gingerbread House. The girls both helped out and both ate some of the candy along the way but the house came out great! We also went to go see Santa and we did see him, from afar. Avery decided that this year Santa could bring her whatever he wanted. She did ask if "Mrs. Santa" is available, but I had to explain that Mrs. Santa does not like to travel. Oh well, maybe next year.

Sierra helping to decorate the tree

Avery helping out too

This was as close as we got to Santa this year

Sierra & Avery decorating the Gingerbread House



Avery had her Christmas show at school. For the past few weeks, she has been practicing singing all her sounds and doing all the moves that go with them. She did so great! And Sierra really enjoyed the party afterwards because she got to sit with all the "big" kids.


We have had some snow which we, of course have had lots of fun playing in. Avery just jumps right into it but Sierra was a little unsure about it at first. She seems to like more and mmore each time we go out but I don't think she likes all the "gear" involved.

Our Trip to Southern California

We had such a great trip visiting Nana and Grandpa and Uncle Bobby, Aunt Ami, and Jack and Luke. We flew into Palm Springs so we spent a few days at Nana and Grandpa's house. Avery was able to go swimming in the community pool. But I completely forgot to pack her swimmies (which she didn't let me forget) so she had to get by without them. But she did great and it forced her to swim on her own. The girls had lots of fun playing with Nana and Grandpa and with all of the toys that they have around for Jack and Luke, especially the Hot Wheels bike. They took it to the duck pond to ride and Sierra loved seeing all of the dogs walking around.

Avery swimming with Daddy

Sierra running around by the Duck Pond

Then we drove to Temecula so we could all be together. On Tuesday, we went to Lego Land. We had so much fun! It is an amusement park made for younger kids. Avery could go on almost all of the rides and believe me she wanted to go on ALL of them. She and Jack got to ride their first roller coaster. They loved it! And they went on a ton of other rides too. Unfortunately Sierra couldonly go on one Boat Ride, but most of the time there was a sandbox or play area close by that she could play in until Avery and Jack were done. It was a great day and we were all exhausted by the end of it. Avery slept for 12 hours that night (another first for her!)

Avery & Sierra with The Lego Santa

Avery & Daddy on the crazy water ride (They LOVED it!!!)




Sierra having fun in the tunnel



Sierra on the Boat Ride (She makes it look a lot more exciting than it was)

Avery on her first Roller Coaster ride with Daddy


The rest of the week was more relaxing. The kids had so much fun playing together. Avery and Jack got along so great. Avery loved being able to play trains and pirates and have sword fights. Sierra had a blast running along behind them. And Luke was pretty content watching from the sidelines. Then Chris, Vanessa, Kailey, and Ryan came up from Phoenix. And it was even more fun! The kids all went to the playground and played while Nana, Aunt Ami, and Uncle Bobby cooked a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner.

Sierra posing with Cousin Luke

Cute cousins hanging out in their PJ's

Kailey, Avery, Ryan, & Jack

On Friday, we helped decorate Uncle Bobby and Aunt Ami's huge Christmas tree. And while we were sleeping that night Santa made a special visit to their house. When we woke up Saturday morning there were lots of presents under the tree. It was a little chaotic getting through them all, but so much fun! We all got lots of nice presents. Later that night, the kids had fun playing with all of their new stuff with Nana and Grandpa while Mommy, Daddy, Bobby and Ami went out for Sushi and a movie.

Grandpa with Jack, Sierra, and Avery in front of the tree and all of those presents

Then we headed back to the desert to Nana and Grandpa's to wind down. Avery and Jack played a little putt-putt. Avery got to swim one last time. We all went to dinner at this great restaurant where we had our own private room which was great considering Sierra does not sit down in restaurants. Then they had a fire where we could roast marshmallows and make smores. It was pretty cool.

One Last Cousin Picture



The Whole Clan

Then it was time for us to make the long trek across the country back home. It's hard to believe that just a few days ago we were swimming in the pool because while I type this, the snow is falling outside. I guess we'll be going from bathing suits to snow suits!

Another Superfun Week

I wanted to get one more entry in before we head out to sunny California this weekend. We had a couple of really fun days in the past week. The beginning of last week was so nice outside, it was like springtime. So we decided to pack up a picnic basket and head to the playground. We got there a little before lunchtime so we could play first. But for the first time ever, Avery was begging to eat lunch because she was so excited to have a picnic. So we grabbed a picnic table and had a great lunch! Then we played some more. It was so fun!

Our Yummy Picnic Lunch

Sierra playing in the Lion Tunnel

On Friday, Avery's best friend Gracie had a Princess Birthday Party. All the girls dressed up as princesses or fairies. And they got their nails and makeup done. Avery dressed up as Snow White and Sierra was a fairy with her little tutu on. And she was supposed to wear fairy wings but she wasn't very happy about it so that didn't happen and I wasn't able to get any pictures of her either :( Avery had fun getting her nails and makeup done and then she ran off to play with Jack's toolset and cars. Cory is so proud!

Snow White getting her eyeshadow on

She is ready for The Princess Ball

For the past three weeks, we have been going to the gymnastics class that we went to last spring. Both Avery and Sierra have been loving it! Avery is doing so much better than she did last year. She is actually doing some gymnastics. She loves hanging and swinging on the bars and the rings. And Sierra LOVES the trampoline. She and Avery go on it together so when Avery jumps, Sierra gets a free ride and she just laughs. It is too cute. I was able to get a few pictures this week, but it is really hard because I have to watch them constantly because they are everywhere!

Hang on... you're almost there

This is sooooo much FUN!

Also, here's an update on Sierra. We had some women from Early Intervention come out a couple weeks ago to test her because she's still not talking. She did great on the tests. She scored at 18-24 months on all of the tests except for speaking which she scored at 10 months. So she is eligible for services from them. Starting in December, Beth is going to start working with her. Basically, she will just play with her for an hour, but she will focus on communication. She will teach her some signs to help her tell us what she wants and continue to try to get her talking. And she will show me things I can do to work with Sierra throughout the week. Beth is great. She is so full of energy but laid back at the same time so I think it's going to work out great. And Cory and I ahve both noticed that since they tested her, Sierra has been babbling more and she's starting to imitate sounds. She even makes a vroom sound whenever she is playing with a car. Avery has taught her well. So, I'm sure we will have another little chatterbox in no time.

Sierra looking fabulous!

Halloween 2009

We had such a great visit with Gramma, Grampa, Great Gramma, and Great Grampa last week. The girls had so much fun playing with them. Avery had sooo much to tell them all, while Sierra and Grampa became best friends. She just loved cuddling up in his lap. It was so cute!

Best Buddies

Making Caramel Apples

Avery had a Halloween Party at school where she dressed up as Snow White. Yes, she changed her mind at the last minute to be Snow White instead of Super Girl. She was an adorable Snow White! They also had a Hayride at school which Gramma was able to go on with her and meet all of her friends at school.

Pretty Snow White

Snow White & Gramma

Avery & Gramma on the Hayride


Gramma and Grampa took the girls to the pumpkin patch where they got to pick pumpkins, run through a corn maze and feed some animals. They loved it!

Feeding the Animals

For Halloween, Avery was Snow White, Sierra was an adorable ladybug, Gramma was Raggedy Ann, Mommy was a witch, and Daddy was "Big Daddy." Trick or Treating was so much fun. We went with Gracie, Jack, and another neighbor, Owen. Avery could not run up to the houses fast enough. Sierra just couldn't believe that she was getting candy. She kept grabbing fistfuls out of her bucket and trying to eat the candy through the wrappers. Then once they finally came down from the sugar and excitement high and got to bed, Mommy and Daddy were off to their Halloween Party. It is so nice to have babysitters around!Mommy Witch, Snow White, Big Daddy, & Pretty Ladybug

Snow White is leading the Pack of Trick or Treaters

Cute ladybug

Gramma with The Girls

Sleeping Beauties

Some Fun Days

We didn't do anything too exciting this week. But, we are looking forward to Halloween and our visit from Gramma, Grampa, Great Gramma, and Great Grampa this week! Mommy did go a little camera crazy this week. So, here are some of the pictures that she took. Enjoy and Happy Halloween!

Daddy and his Little Girls

Sierra looking ravishing in her jewels

Avery dancing with her Prince

Avery is "Queen of the Mountain"

Sierra has dethroned the Queen


Avery riding her Big Girl bike while Sierra rides along on the scooter


Avery relaxing in the grass


"Try and catch me"


Avery's first driving lesson


"Did you see those birds?"

Avery Doing her "I got Candy Corn" Dance