Love This Girl!

Seems like I blinked and now Avery is already four years old. Five years ago, Ben and I were shocked to find out, just three months after we got married, that we were pregnant and she has been surprising us ever since! This girl is so passionate. She is amazingly strong-willed and very driven and it has been so wonderful to watch over the past year how that has become one of her greatest assets. But while she can be very serious, she definitely has a little "goof-ball" in her.

Mexico Cruise!

We just got back on Sunday from our cruise. And I still can't figure out why my bed isn't making itself, and I can hardly believe I have to do my own dishes?!? Needless to say, we are attempting to get back into a groove around here and adjust back to everyday life, without beautiful Mexico.

It was hard to leave the kids, yes I was in tears. But once we adjusted to the idea that we didn't have anything to do, no diapers to change, no dishes or laundry to be done, and we could pick up and go without working around nap times and potty stops - we were in paradise! We met so many wonderful people (Matt and Rachelle!), had the most amazing food I've ever eaten (yes, we even ate escargot!), and had many adventures and great times in Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. The people of Mexico are so welcoming and they always went out of their way to make our excursions and our time spent there a blast!

We left Long Beach on Sunday and made our way to Cabo. On Tuesday, we arrived and enjoyed the beautiful 85 degree weather. We enjoyed the sun, did a little shopping around the port, and of course, enjoyed a yummy $3 Margarita by the water! Did I mention I love Mexico? On Wednesday, we went on a zipline tour in the desert. Wow, that was an adventure. After they warned us about scorpions and really big spiders along the trail, I was a little hesitant to continue, but it was an amazing, very challenging experience. We left Cabo on Wednesday night and made our way to Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta - This was the moment I fell in love. The lush jungle surrounding the city and blue-green waters. Here, we attended a show called Rhythms of the Night. They boated us to an exclusive location along the beach, we ate dinner and watched an incredible show under the stars. We left port that night and headed back to Long Beach.

We did so many amazing things, but one of our favorites was on board. We had the opportunity Chef's Table, where the head chef prepares a meal for this event alone. They only allow 24 people to do this, so it was a privilege to be apart of. He explains in detail each component of his seven course meal, took us on a tour of the kitchen and galley where all the food is prepared and we sampled six appetizers the chefs had prepared. As if this wasn't enough, seven of the top chefs were there serving us. These were the kindest people from all over the world, and they shared their lives and stories with us. The level of hospitality, creativity and service they provided was indescribable. It was fun to be apart of something they take such pride in and love so much.

We were so blessed to be able to take this wonderful vacation for our fifth anniversary. (Thanks mom and dad and Summer and Tyler for keeping the kids!) It was incredible experience and we had an amazing time. Despite missing the kids terribly, it was great to spend time with just us and awesome new friends!

Yes, Still Here!

Well, yes, to say it has been a while would be an understatement. This year has proved to be overwhelmingly busy, with all good things... well, mostly.

So where exactly have we been? January started with Ben leaving for school in Alabama for six weeks. That left me in charge. Scary, right? It wasn't so bad, the kids adjusted really well and we stayed extremely busy. Then as soon as he got back, the flu hit each of us big time. Ugh. But on a much happier note, considering I haven't mentioned this, we head to L.A. on Saturday to pick up mom and dad, then on Sunday... bon voyage! We leave on our seven day cruise to Mexico, just Ben and me! We are very excited, despite a little hesitation to leave my babes for that long, but I know they will be in good hands and I'm sure mom and dad will spoil them rotten. That is, if they can keep up with them!

Avery is doing great in school, and it seems her imagination is expanding daily. As for Graysen, he is learning and saying new things everyday. He has SO many words, some of his newest words are 'go', 'cookie', 'papa', 'cracker', 'up' and 'cow'. Between him and Avery, they keep us very busy and always laughing!

And on a totally random note, Sunday will mark two years here in California. Not sure how it has happened so fast, but it has been an amazing time. Can't wait to see what God has in store for us over the next year! And as we are already forced to consider options for our next assignment it has me thinking about the things I love the most about living here...

My very favorite thing is that even in January, the middle of winter, I can wear sandals!

Fresh flowers, we can get beautiful flowers any day of the week and for like 5 bucks! They make my kitchen a much brighter place.

Strawberry are almost never out of season. With our city being completely surrounded by strawberry fields, they are always amazing!

Oh and of course, Trader Joe's. I don't know what I ever did without you?

Another Great Trip to Grandma & Grandpa's

Grandma even let Ave do her hair!

Well, even though it was a verrrrrry long six and a half hour drive up north to my Grandparent's house... it was totally worth it! We have had the priviledge to see them three times in the past year and each time has been special. This time we were able to be at my cousin, Jeremy's birthday and we got to spend lots of time enjoying family and friends! They are so good to Avery and Graysen and they just love to be there.

2011's Updates...

The new year has proven to be a little, okay A LOT crazy around our house! So it is time for a few updates. Avery is back to school after a very, veeerrrryyy long Christmas break. She is thrilled to be back! We are heading up North for a long weekend to see my Grandparents and she can hardly wait to see them.

As for Graysen, in the past week I have had three people tell me he has outgrown his "baby" face! Sad news.... But with that comes lots of fun new things! He has new words by the day. Yesterday alone, he learned to say 'please', 'tickle', and 'night-night'. And we were at someone's house the other day and saw football on, he started screaming 'ball!' and clapping his hands. Is this normal "male behavior" for a 14 month old?! Tonight, Avery told Nana, "I am going to be a doctor and Gray is going to be a football player." I love how the way three year olds think!

Bananas still hold title for his favorite food. He wakes up every morning,

walks to the kitchen and asks for a "dana".

He's got him trapped, so he can pet him. He adores dogs, BIG and small!

Where do boys learn to make car noises with their lips? Is it programmed at birth?

Christmas Eve Thoughts

Kids are in bed, finally, sound asleep.

I just finished filling Avery and Graysen's stockings and wrapping the last of the presents and now I am wishing I had used my larger springform pan for my pumpkin cheesecake as I am watching it in the oven billowing over the top of the pan, yes, at midnight. Hoping the mistake won't be a tragic one. *crossing my fingers*

Tonight, we continued my absolute favorite holiday tradition, chinese take-out. Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra...

We went to our Christmas Eve service and realized just how blessed we are to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

Ben is now very, very patiently putting together the doll house, that, of course, came in about a thousand pieces and he is finishing the last M & M cookie just so Avery will be amazed in the morning at the sight of the empty plate.

As I am counting the many things we got done today and the hundred things we have to do before we go to bed, I am so grateful. Now that we are on the other side, as the mom and dad, we see just how much work and effort our parents put in to making each and every Christmas special. I remember my mom up until 3 am cooking and stuffing stockings and my dad struggling to stay awake in his chair, trying so hard to "support" in her efforts. Dad would spend all of Christmas day getting toys out of boxes and equipping with batteries, as mom would put on a fantastic meal with her best China. But more than the presents and yummy food, our parents taught us the true meaning of Christmas, they taught us the gift of giving, the true meaning behind presents and how fortunate we are to celebrate in Christ's birth. A gift that we receive everyday of the year, freedom in Him. This is our first Christmas without family around, and I am so grateful for both of our wonderful families who, even though we couldn't be with either one, we are still so blessed by them every day.

Happy Merry Christmas!

Ave and her two best buds at the Christmas Eve Service

After many, MANY attempts to get a picture by the tree...

This is the best we got!

Gray in his seriously cute Christmas jams!

And one last wild attempt at a picture of them together!

And the beginnings of a doll house...