We've been staying inside, mostly

Our Valentine's Day celebration was pretty simple and quiet yesterday. Just some homemade cards and treats and a toy for each kid. Well, not Ava. All she needs is a ride in daddy's arms.

Since this has been the worst flu season since before I was born we haven't gone out much. Trips for take-out or visits to grandparents are about the extent of our adventures. We did build a snow fort the other day when the temperature got above 30 degrees. And even took a walk to the park! That didn't last too long since the kids kept sinking to their waists in the snow. And has anyone ever told you how long your walk will take if you have three kids but a double stroller? Three-year-old boys like to take their precious (it really was precious) time exploring as you walk.

Mostly we hang out playing with cars and Legos and taking pictures and working on finishing the basement. We're on the home stretch now, thank goodness, I am done with projects for a while. And I didn't even really do a lot because I was so ridiculously pregnant and all. Good thing my husband is so handy and determined. And good looking. And the perfect Valentine. The cards we wrote to each other said nearly the exact same thing which I'm taking to mean we were meant to be!

 

For the family who couldn't make it because of the snow (or incredible distance)

Yesterday my first little girl became a two-year-old.

 

The little girl who still doesn't sleep well at night and wakes up bright and early, bright-eyed and bushy tailed - running into my room with two blankets, a binkie, a bottle and a baby doll.

 

The one who learned this week that opening the fridge doors a hundred times a day is unacceptable.

 

The one who strips from the waist down, everyday, and runs around saying, "naked butt!"

 

The little girl I love so much that it makes me cry if I think about it too hard.

 

The one I love so much because her smile is a million watts, and her eyes are so huge and so blue, and because of the way she nestles her little head in mama's shoulder when she cuddles. And she always wants to cuddle.

 

 

 

 

A week old

A week and a day, actually. And growing up way too fast. Don't they all.

Baby Ava has arrived

Our sweet little Ava finally joined our family on Monday, January 14.

 

 

 

Christmas Season 2012

Another Christmas has come and past and we loved it. We got a pretty late start and didn't begin our hunt for a Christmas tree until a couple of weeks after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, that meant that all the evergreens within 25 minutes of us were sold out. Fortunately, we're resourceful! Our three little fake hand-me-down trees did just the trick.

Because I am hugely pregnant (just come already, little baby!), the decor went up slowly and not completely and we finished our shopping on Christmas Eve. And we were all, and still are, sick for the holidays. It slowed us down a bit, but we still made it to the Arbon family Christmas party, and the English family Christmas Eve dinner.

(This guy is moving clear to Texas this week and we are pretty bummed about it.)

We always record Christmas morning on the video camera so I forgot to take pictures. John, Tim's brother, and his family came early in the morning to watch the kids see their gifts from Santa. They were both so excited about each new toy that it took at least an hour to get through them all, even though there really weren't that many. I do kind of wish that we could do Christmas once a month, without the expense or certainly spoiled kids, because some of those new toys have really kept the kids happy and occupied.

We have been so blessed to always be able to celebrate Christmas with a lot of family and very little stress and this year was no different. I thank my Father in Heaven everyday for the happy little life we're carving out for ourselves because of His blessings. It is especially nice this time of year to remember the greatest gift He gave us all. I hope your Christmas was also merry!

On to the new year!