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.