Ave's 2nd Christmas...

Avery and Nanny, her great grandmother.

Avery and Papa, probably making a mess!

Me and my sister, Melissa. (We didn't even plan our outfits.)

All of us after the Christmas Eve service at church.

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We stayed here in Great Falls and spent Christmas with my family. We really enjoyed each other but really missed getting to be with Ben's family! This year was so much fun because Avery really got into unwrapping presents. But she wouldn't even finish unwrapping one and she was onto the next! Nana and Papa and Dada and Nana spoiled her rotten. She got so many cute clothes and toys. One of her favorite toys was Elmo Live!, it tells stories and dances. She really gets into it. Toys these days are incredible. 

But more than the gifts we got, we really enjoyed spending the time with family and friends. And I know that next Christmas will be here before we know it! 

Fashionista!

Avery is all of a sudden interested in what she is wearing. Not always what I want her to wear but it is always entertaining. Her favorite thing to pick out is her pajamas, this picture is last night's pick. I know it is only going to get worse!

Jump!

Didn't realize it would come so soon, but it has. Avery's new favorite this is to jump on the bed. She loves her new toddler bed but finds it hilarious to jump up and down! As she jumps up and down, she'll say "HIGHER....HIGHER"! 

Kristen's Update

Yesterday, I finally went in for the EGD that the doctors have been wanting me to do for a year now. I have been having problems with stomach pain and nausea for almost three years now. My doctor came to the conclusion that I have an ulcer but needed have an EGD to make sure. Well, they sent a camera all the way down into my small intestine. The good news is that I don't have an ulcer, but the lining of my stomach is red and inflammed, the bad news is they don't know why. So they are hoping doubling my daily dosage of nexium will fix that. That was the most expensive nap I have ever taken! I didn't wake up until this morning! HAHAHA

Grandpa Bill & Grandma Judy's

Ben & Ave taking a ride!

My sis, Miss and me playing dominoes

Avery sledding and eating snow!

Hugs for Papa...

This weekend we up to the Kalispell area to see my Grandpa Bill and Grandma Judy. We had so much fun, a much needed weekend away from Great Falls! And amazingly, it was warmer there than it was here. It was only -16 zero rather than our -22 below! We took Ave sledding and she went on her first ride on the four wheeler. We sat around and played a lot of cards and Mexican Train, and ate plenty of Judy's desserts. 

Same, Same...But Different

Last weekend, we had Ben's squadron Christmas party. On my way to drop Avery off, she threw up all over herself in the car. When we got to mom and dad's she had to put on one of my sister's shirts. She thought that was so cool! It was a shirt Melissa got in Cambodia when she went last summer. I can't remember what exactly the phrase "same, same...but different" means but Ave was so cute in it!

Christmas Time Again!

Avery helping Daddy hook up the lights.

Ave got to put up her first Christmas ornament.

This was an exciting year for us because it is the first year Avery is aware of the essence of Christmas. She loves the trees, lights, decorations and especially toting Baby Jesus (from our nativity) around in her purse. So last weekend we decorated our house for Christmas, she was a big help. 

Thanksgiving

Ben and Harley, tired from all that TURKEY!!!

Avery didn't eat much for her second Thanksgiving, but she had fun playing.

Avery and Ben ready to eat!

Just to set the record straight, this is Ben's plate! :)

For Thanksgiving this year we went to my mom and dad's and spent the day. We did a lot of eating, which was great! Then, we ate dessert, which was great! Our friends, Mike and Amanda came over, and Mike and Siama, some of our family friends. We all had so much fun talking and eating, but I guess that's what it is all about. 

Avery & Ben

These two hug all the time! 

Avery driving Ben around on the car.

Ben pushing Avery on the car.

Playing with playdough.

Avery held on to Ben's shirt and they walked around the house for a good 10 minutes. Not sure what exactly they were doing, but it was funny!

Last week, Avery's friend Ben came over to play so his mom could go to an appointment. But it is also a break for me because they love each other and play so well together. They had so much fun, playing with playdough, riding on the car and playing hide-and-seek. Avery figured out right away that she could eat the playdough, however Ben hadn't quite figured it out and when he did, he did not like it at all! Avery enjoyed eating it and Ben enjoyed playing with it-everyone wins! We all had so much fun.    

Ben

Bud and Diana, this one is for you...

I know it has been so long since I have posted but Ben has had the computer pretty well tied up working on his papers for his masters. But I am so proud of him, he is almost halfway finished and has gotten A's in all of his classes. He is doing so well! But in his down time Avery keeps him very busy. She is such a daddy's girl!

Just Being Ave

A couple of weeks ago we were at our friends,  Jen and Mario's house for games. I had to leave early but Ben and Avery stayed for a little while. This is a picture of Avery in their son, Ben's pajamas. I think this picture truly captures her personality. 

Slide!

Her look of frustration!

We have a drain in the front of our house and everytime Ave sees it she says, "Slide!" The other day she was getting so frustrated because she couldn't slide down it. She actually tried so many times she put a hole in her pants! It was hilarious!

Go Cats!

Ben taught Avery to say "GO, CATS!"

Nana and Dada sent a box full of toys and clothes, it was an early Christmas for Avery! She was so excited, but out of all the books and toys her favorite thing was the Kentucky cape. She loved it, and now wants to wear it all the time. The other day I put a vest on her and she took the vest off and went and got her cape! Last night she was wearing it over her pajamas. Thanks Nana and Dada!

 

Halloween 2008

Nana and Avery ready to go!

Already tired, Avery and Jameson, the cowboy...

Still tired, Avery and  Nathan, the hobo...

Feeling up to more Trick-or-Treating!

On Halloween, we had my family and a few friends over for appetizers and then we took the kids out trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. It was amazing how quickly Avery caught on to the concept. She had so much fun but couldn't quite understand why we don't get to do that everyday. When she woke up the next morning, she said, "Outside, tick-treat!" 

Who's Having More Fun?

So on Friday afternoon, Ben started to clean up the mounds of leaves in our front yard. He had Avery out there "helping him", but as it normally goes, Ben and Avery ended up playing and throwing leaves rather than cleaning them up! I couldn't figure out if Ben or Avery was having more fun? :)

Carving Pumpkins

Last Thursday night we decided to finally carve our pumpkins. That was interesting. We let Ave clean out her own pumpkin, which I don't know if she liked so much. Too dirty! But she was cute, and after the pumpkins were carved and the seeds all over the house, Avery was painted orange from head to toe!