Avery is Officially Four

After all the craziness of getting ready for Avery's birthday party was over, we were able to relax a little. We had lots of fun playing in the snow and spending time with Gramma & Grampa and Nana & Grandpa before they had to go home. Then after they all left, Uncle Joey, Aunt Jenna, Alex and Stacy came for a visit for the weekend. The girls had so much fun playing with Alex and Stacy and they all had a blast playing out in the snow. But now everyone has gone home and we are back to just the four of us. It was so nice to see everyone but it's also nice to get back to our regular routine.

Avery & Daddy having some fun on the snow tube

Avery & Gracie playing in the snow

Avery opening some more birthday presents



And another birthday cake

Sierra fell asleep on the swing

Alex, Stacy & Avery getting ready to do some sledding

All of the kids enjoying some yummy ice cream cake

Avery & Sierra on the tube

Avery on her new snowmobile

Avery at the bottom of the hill (Yes she is loving this.... she is such an adrenaline junkie!)

Sierra's a little more low key

We were trying to get a picture of Sierra in Avery's old Steelers Cheerleader outfit. She wasn't very happy about it. We're not sure if it was because it was a little too small or if she was embarassed to be wearing a Steelers outfit.

Avery's Fourth Birthday Party

This weekend was Avery's fourth birthday party. I can't believe she's four already!! We had a fun party at home and the theme was all of Avery's favorite characters. We sent out Bolt invitations, had a Superdog cake, and a Lightning Mcqueen pinata. Nana and Grandpa and Gramma and Grampa were all in town for the week and we also had a couple of Avery's friends here for the party. The kids all had a fun time at the party running around and playing. Our playroom was unrecognizable when it was all over. And Avery got lots of great presents including the Bat Cave which is what she really wanted. Here are some of the pictures of the festivities.

Avery helping Gramma decorate her cake while Nana looks on

Avery filling the pinata with lots of treats

Avery's Superdog Cake

Avery & Gracie at the Party

"Happy Birthday, Dear Avery"

Avery Making a Wish

Avery & Her Bat Cave

Avery's friends helping her open presents

Getting showered with candy from the pinata

The Mad dash for the Candy

Family Photo

Christmas 2009

We had such a wonderful Christmas, but I have been having some computer issues so it has taken me a while to share the pictures. The first ones are of Christmas morning at home. Avery just tore in to everything. She opened all of her presents and most of everyone else's in less than an hour. Meanwhile, Sierra didn't want to open anything, she just kept moving all of the presents from one spot to another. The girls got a mini trampoline, which they LOVE! from Nana & Grandpa. Avery also got her Cars race track and an Easy Bake Oven and Sierra got a cute cradle and high chair for her babydolls and lots of Jewelry. We had a fun morning playing with all of their new toys.

Then that afternoon we flew out to Gramma and Grampa's in Pennsyvlania. We had another Christmas morning there. The girls got lots more great presents including everything Zhu Zhu pets! Then we had another Christmas at Great Gramma and Great Grampa's. Phew! (We considered renting a U-haul to get home)

Christmas at Gramma & Grampa's

Avery ready to play Santa

CHEEEEESE!!!

Christmas at Great Gramma & Great Grampa's

After all that we got to relax. We spent a fun day in Pittsburgh at The Carnegie Science Center. The girls had lots of fun exploring all the cool exhibits and playing around.

Just a cute picture of Avery & Sierra

Sierra playing in the water at the Museum

Avery & Mommy in the Submarine at the Museum


They also got to do some sledding. First, Avery went out with the girls next door to Gramma and Grampa who are in 7th grade. She had a blast and she fit right in with them. She's so cool! Then Avery and Sierra went out with their friend Aiden. They all had so much fun! They were just flying down the hill. Aiden almost went into the creek a couple times. Sierra went down the little hill and she loved it. Our whole trip was such a fun time!

Avery & Aiden flying down the hill

Sierra hving fun on the sled too

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!