Traditions

During Advent every Sunday night after dinner we light the advent wreath, sing Christmas Carols and read from a really cute children's devotional book called: What God wants for Christmas. It's a great little book that came with 7 boxes and each Sunday Olivia gets to open 1 box to see what figurine is inside. They are Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Shepherd, Wise Man, and the last box is just a mirror inside symbolizing that all God wants for Christmas is her. It's really cute and every Sunday she looks forward to seeing who in the manger scene will be next. It's a great opportunity to talk to together as a family about God and whatever else may be on her mind. Last night she was asking us questions about sin.

Our little Elf

I have no idea why this is upside down..ugh

Disney on Ice

Anticipating some loud noises

Brad and Olivia went to see Disney on Ice last Friday. They got to sit in the 4th row; I called right when they started selling the tickets. They were only like $20.00 a ticket, last year we were way up in the balcony. Brad said initially she was a little afraid being so close up. She was relieved this year because there was no shark and the fireworks weren't very loud.

Pre-school program

This first picture is Olivia introducing Ava to her favorite Christmas toy: Frosty the Snowman.

Olivia had her pre-school Christmas show on Dec 5th. She did a great job singing and doing all of the hand gestures. Hard to believe that this was the last time we'll be seeing her on stage at this school; off to kindergarten we go. The entire show only lasts 30 minutes, but it's really darling. The lighting is always bad so my pictures didn't turn out, but at least the video is good.

Random

Grace and Olivia-Thanks for stopping by!

Micki getting to hold Ava

Olivia putting up Uncle Masagi's ornament up first.

She didn't want to sit on Santa's lap, but when he came over to her she stared at him for awhile and then told him she wanted a bicycle.

Piney Acres Tree Farm

Bitty got hungry during our tree hunt

This is our tree this year

This is the second year in a row where we went to this tree farm. It is fun taking a hayride and cutting down our own tree. After you get your tree you go inside and they give you free hot cocoa and popcorn. This year Santa was in the cabin. It was nice going on this outing with the 3 of us. We left Ava home with Dave and Sharyl. I think it was good for Olivia to just hang with us. Afterwards we went to Red Robin for lunch. It was a great afternoon.

Random Photos

Camping out

Ava really likes bath time

My "big girl" now

My "little girl" now

Olivia already likes to read to her sister

I have very limited amount of time these days to post pictures. I have to decide whether or not to eat, sleep, clean, post pictures...etc. Today I pick-post pictures.. I will eat later..ha, ha.

She is 1 month old

Ava turned 1 month old on Dec 5th...don't you just love her hair do.

I wonder if she will have blue eyes like Liv?!

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

Ava our little turkey

We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving this year. We ordered our turkey and all the fixings from Target. It was really good and easy. For $60.00 we got to eat left overs for several days. I made a pumpkin chiffon pie which I thought was really light and good. It was fun dressing up Ava in her turkey outfit. Olivia didn't care to much for most of the food, but she was a good sport. She handed us all out a stuffed animal and an instrument to set the mood before we ate. We went around the table and prayed together; which is always my favorite part. I wish I could remember what she said...it's my lack of sleep these days..I am very forgetful.

A few new songs!

Yea! We don't have to turn sideways to view the video clips!

My favorite right now

Precious pictures

This is our first family picture. Olivia met us in the lobby of the hospital on my release date. It was very hard not having her in the hospital with us when Ava was born. I missed her terribly.

Liv looks so old and strong to me...it's like she is 21.

This is one of my favorite photos thus far.

The Smith Family is trying to identify what our new "normal" is. With pure exhaustion setting in with the "oh so many sleepless nights" I don't think we know what is "normal" right now. We are just in survival mode. Thank God for all the meals we are getting through my MOPS group.

We are enjoying watching Ava gain weight and move her head around more during tummy time. Olivia is very curious and already has taken a special liking to her sister. I love saying the word "sister" how wonderful that bond I pray will be when they get older. Brad likes to call Ava- Ava bean. I forgot what it was like to constantly smell like spit up on your body. You forget those things....She is so pretty and everything that were going thru is SO WORTH IT.

She has arrived

Ava Mairenn Smith was born on November 5th at 11:23 am. She weighed 7 pounds 10 oz and was 20 3/4 inches. We are all doing well. She is so pretty and has the most delicate little petite features. Brad and I are most excited about Olivia meeting her tomorrow. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that we are now a family of 4.

Happy Halloween 2009

Her favorite candy of the night were Starbursts. She had quite a few and that was the only candy she ate. Boy it was hard for me not to have any candy or those Halloween cupcakes we made the other night. I was excited to use all of our new Halloween stuff that we bought on clearance last year. Liv said she wanted to be a Scuba Diver next year!? She had Bitty all dressed up in her Halloween costume for days..but with all the excitement she forgot to bring her. It was a lot colder outside this year than last. I think the high with the sun was 53. It definitely was a crisp fall day.

Happy Halloween 2009

Here we are a family of "three"..it was cold out!

Initially, Liv wanted one of us to go up to the door with her, especially when the houses looked a little scary to her. Soon though she just went up by herself. She looked so cute, I am so glad she wore her whole costume.

This "grandma" as she calls it has been her favorite decoration when we drive in our neighborhood. She was glad to get to snuggle with her.

She thought this was a real gorilla...very hesitant at first to put candy in his pillow case. She loved handing out candy again this year.

Jackson was a big hit this year. Almost everyone commented on how cute he looked.