Springtime is on its Way

We have not done anything overly exciting in the past few weeks, but I feel bad that Ihaven't posted any blogs lately, so I made a point of taking some pictures to share, so here they are. We did have Cory's birthday a few weeks ago. Avery kept asking him when his party was and if all of his friends were coming. She didn't quite understand that birthdays are a little different when you get older. So we had to have a samll birthday party for him with balloons, streamers and party horns. It was lots of fun. Avery really wanted to get a pinata, but I had to draw the line somewhere.

The Birthday Boy and his Girls

We have had a few nicer days and it actually warmed up into the 50's. So most of our snow is gone and we have been having some fun outside with all of the toys we haven't played with since last summer. Here are some of the pictures. Hopefully we will continue to have nice weather and we'll have a lot more pictures to share.

Sierra driving the Car

Avery on the Move

YEAH! Bubbles!




A Juice Box Break in the Wagon

Time to Swing

Having a lot of fun on the Swing

Avery's Big Climb

Is it Spring Yet???

Avery was off from school last week so we had a busy week planned to keep ourselves entertained. I have a bit of cabin fever and , as much as I normally love winter, I am so ready for this winter to be over! We started the week with a nice snowy day. It wasn't too cold out and we had a blast playing out in the snow. Sierra has discovered the taste of snow so that kept her busy for a long time while Avery did a bunch of sledding runs down the hill. Of course, we did our usual gymnastics class, but since there was no school, it was very crazy, but still fun nonetheless. At least the girls got a good lesson in waiting in line. We also had a fun day at Playtown Express, a fun indoor play place with all kinds of inflatable things to play in and stuff to climb on. Thay have a big 18 foot inflatable slide that is so fun. This was the first time that I let Sierra go on it and she loved it! Big Sister Avery took her on it for the first time and then we couldn't get her off of it!

Happy Valentine's Day

Frisbee in the Snow?

Yummy Snow!

WHEEEEEEEE!!!

Let's Bowl!

Avery is an ace at Wii Bowling so we decided to take her to a real bowling alley to test her mad skills. Our bowling alley here in little old Spencer has "Candlepin Bowling". I have never heard of it before but it is great for kids. You use a really small ball that is much easier for kids to throw. Avery was so excited to go! The only problem was that when you walk in the bowling alley they have a game section with skeet ball and video games and all kinds of mechanical rides so once the girls saw that, they were not as excited about the bowling. But we walked past the games and got our schnazzy bowling shoes on and got set up on our lane. Sierra was good for one frame and then she was completely done. Her bowling shoes came off and she was off to the games and rides. Avery lasted a little longer, but not much. She did have fun bowling though. She bowled around a 55 ; not quite as good as on the Wii. But she still beat Daddy who had some trouble adjusting his technique with a small ball. Then we all had some fun playing games and we discovered another fun indoor activity for those cold, wintry days.

Our Progress Reports

I had a meeting with Avery's teacher, Ms. Nancy, the other day just to give us an update on how she is doing at school. She said Avery is doing great. She can see a difference in her from last year. She used to play by herself mostly, and now she is a social butterfly and loves playing with all of the other kids. She is doing great with all of her skills except she struggles with lower case letters, but I guess that's normal. But, she is very meticulous about her work. Ms. Nancy also said that Avery is very talkative, to the point that the teachers have to sometimes redirect her to the task at hand. But apparently, Avery always has something to share with her friends at circle time (Oh, to be a fly on that wall!)



And Sierra is also doing great with her language skills. Beth still comes every week to work with us. I have noticed a huge difference. She says about 15 words now. And some of them she actually uses when it's appropriate. She used to just randomly say uh-oh all the time now she says it if she drops something, it is so cute! Her newest words are "Go", which she says very clearly, and "no', which she says not so clearly (she has a little trouble with the "n' sound). And she can do a couple of animal sounds (I love how she says Hoo-Hoo like an owl!) And she is trying to imitate what I say more and more. Overall, Avery & Sierra are both doing great and I am so proud of both of my girls!

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