Avery's 7th birthday

This year Avery's birthday fell on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so she had a nice long birthday weekend full of family, friends, and fun!! We had Nana and Grandpa, Gramma and Grampa, and Uncle Joey, Alex, and Stacy here visiting for the festivities. The celebration started on Saturday with Avery's birthday party at Zoinks Fun Factory. She had so much fun bouncing, sliding, dancing and climbing with her friends!

 

Avery and some of her friends in action jumping on the giant pillow

A Group Photo

 



Avery & Stacy on the climbing wall

 



Getting ready to show off some moves on the dance floor

 



Happy 7th Birthday Avery!

 



Sierra, Lauren, Alex, Avery, & Stacy hanging out on the big birthday chair

 



Sierra with her boyfriend, Jack

 



Avery & her BFF, Gracie

 

 

On Sunday, we met Tamala and Ben and Tam's mom, Deb at Cheesecake Factory so we could all meet their new baby Tula Marie. She is so beautiful! The girls loved seeing the baby, but I think Avery was slightly more excited to see The American Girl Doll Store right next door!



Gramma with Tula, Sierra, & Avery

 

 

 

Avery decided that she wanted cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory for her birthday cake at home. So she picked out four different flavors for us all to sample, Yum!!!



Happy Birthday, Avery...again!

 



Avery trying out her new bike and helmet

 



And Sierra trying out her new bike (Avery's old bike)

 

 

Avery decided she wanted to go to Mexicali Grill for her birthday dinner. We went there for my birthday last year so she knew what to expect. She was a little concerned with how they would know that it was her birthday, so she took matters into her own hands. 



Avery's sign to let the waiter know that it was her birthday (with a little editing to make sure that they got the message!)

 



 Feliz Cumpleanos, Avery!!

 



Sierra trying on the sombrero.

 

 



Sierra's First Ski lesson

Last Friday, Avery had a half day of school, so we took advantage of it and went to Wachusett Mountain for some ski lessons. It was Sierra's first lesson and she did great! Avery wound up getting a private lesson and she did great as well! Then, we did a little more skiing after their lessons so they could practice. It was such a fun afternoon!

 

Avery getting to the bottom of the bunny hill

 Sierra had such great balance!

 

 Taking a break in this awesome ski chair

 

 Here comes Avery

 

And Sierra too



Happy New Year!

This year on New Year's Eve, the girls really wanted to try to stay up until midnight. At first, I said no because typically, I don't stay up until midnight on New Year's Eve. But, then, we decided we were going to give it a try. I have to admit that I was very doubtful that we would all make it until midnight (so much so that we started doing countdowns at 8:00). But, we kept ourselves busy enough playing games that we all made it!  Happy New Year!

Practicing our celebration at 8:00 (it's midnight somewhere!)

Another practice round at 9:00 in our pajamas (still going strong, sort of!) 

 



Avery pretending to fall asleep at around 11:30.

 



We made it! Happy New Year!

 



We took pictures in front of the TV to prove we made it

 



Avery took one last picture of me, Cory, and Sierra. And then we all went to bed!

Fun in the Snow!

Here's a couple of pictures of the girls playing in the snow after we got another 9 inches on top of the 3 inches we already had. We have been having so much fun!!

Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas Day! We are so blessed to be together and this year even more so, because Gramma and Grampa were here with us as well! We woke up to a beautiful white Christmas! But, of course, the girls were focused on what was under the Christmas Tree! They must have been very good girls this year because Santa was very good to them. And they also had presents from Mommy and Daddy, and more from Gramma and Grampa and Nana and Grandpa. So after a marathon session of unwrapping presents, we spent the rest of the day unpacking and playing with all of their new stuff. It was a great day!

 

Sierra & Avery patiently waiting to come downstairs

Avery & Sierra excited to open presents.

 



Avery showing off a new Jack & Annie book and Sierra checking out her new Jake & the Neverland Pirates Game

Sierra trying on her new ski helmet

 



Opening their American Girl Doll beds.

 



Avery excited after opening the family's new WiiU.

 



Avery showing Gramma & Grampa what she made for them.

 



Sierra all ready to hit the slopes!