2012 Christmas Card

Christmas

We made giant gingerbread men. 

Avery wasn't interested in decorating. She just ate tons of candy and cookies.

Corbin was sick with a double ear infection the week before Christmas. He spent at least an hour making snowflakes. Oddly enough two days later, Avery was also diagnosed with a double ear infection. And I got a massive cold. We were a house of sickies right before the holiday.

Christmas Eve pajamas

Christmas morning!

Waiting to go downstairs.

Avery received a new red dress, and she insisted on putting on the "princess" dress as soon as she opened it.

I gave Clark a remote control helicopter. It was a really fun present! Everyone has loved it.

Avery woke up on Christmas morning with a fever of 102 degrees, so after presents were opened, we put her back in her  pajamas, and she took it easy the rest of the day. 

E&Y Holiday Party

Clark and I at E&Y's holiday party last weekend. In case you couldn't tell, it was a western theme. We had lots of fun with all our friends that were there. And the most fun part was that we got some friends to watch the kids overnight. So, after the party we went out for some delicious cheesecake, and then we relaxed and stayed the night in Denver. It was great.

Hot, hot! Oh, we got it! Hot Chocolate!

Last Friday night we did a Polar Express night. I totally tried to trick the kids. I made them get into their pajamas at 6 p.m. and I told them they had to go to bed right when Dad got home from work. So, Clark got home at 6:30 and the kids brushed their teeth and Clark went upstairs to tuck them into bed. 

Meanwhile, downstairs I was busy getting started on the surprise. I put in the Polar Express movie, laid a blanket on the floor, popped popcorn, and was in the process of making hot chocolate. It was at this point that the kids both came back downstairs to get their beloved blankets. Corbin saw the movie and starting complaining and asking to stay up late to watch it, to which I yelled "get upstairs!" And Avery immediately started begging over and over for popcorn. So, Clark has to come down to get the kids. By this time Avery was screaming at the top of her lungs because we didn't give her popcorn, and Corbin was still asking if he could stay up to watch the movie. Clark tucks them into bed. And they are still complaining and screaming (quite loudly).

We waited a couple of minutes and listened to the mayhem. Then Clark put on his conductor hat, opened the door to the kids room and asked, "Well, are you coming?" Corbin immediately jumped out of bed and ran for the door. Only to be stopped when Clark asked him for his ticket (that was hidden in his pillowcase earlier in the day). The kids found their tickets. The conductor punched holes in them. And then the kids came down the stairs to watch the Polar Express, eat popcorn, and drink hot chocolate.

I was feeling a little miffed. Because I felt that the surprise had been ruined when the kids came down to get their blankets. After all, I had worked hard to put this surprise activity together. But those feelings completely melted away when Corbin wrapped his arms around me and said, "Mom, this is the best day ever!!"

Corbin was really excited that his ticket looked just like the one on the movie.

Corbin made sure to drink his hot chocolate during the "Hot Chocolate" song.

There was a minor hot chocolate spill. Hence the change in pajamas.

Dancing during the credits.

Look at that happy face.

It turned out to be a wonderful night. I think we just might make the Polar Express surprise movie night a tradition. Hopefully minus the blanket fiasco next time. :)

Sweet moment

Now that Avery no longer uses a pacifier at bedtime, she is pretty loud. She talks and yells and makes all kinds of noise before she falls asleep. And Corbin is really great about it, and he will usually fall asleep while she is still making a big ruckus.
Well, about a week ago Avery was once again yelling away in her crib. This time it was an angry/annoyed/I don't want to sleep yell, but she wasn't crying. And so she was yelling and yelling, when all of a sudden through the baby monitor I heard Corbin's sweet little voice start to sing a lullaby. Avery immediately stopped yelling. And after Corbin finished singing, Avery settled right down and went to sleep. It was the sweetest little moment. My heart was overflowing with love as I witnessed this tender minute between my kids. I love them so much.

Thanksgiving

We took it pretty easy this year for Thanksgiving. We stayed home and had a dinner with just the four of us. I have to say that the pumpkin pie and the pear-apple pie that I made were probably the best ones that I have ever made. They were awesome. 

Corbin made a Turkey headband in school, and he was sweet enough to make one for Avery, too. They wore these a ton over the weekend.

Taste-testing

My little pie helpers. Corbin really got into it, and made a bunch of cookies with the leftover pie dough.

And Avery was happy making a mess with the flour, and drinking out of the measuring cups.

Avery at 2 years

A few things about Avery right now:
* Does great in nursery class at church
* Wants to be just like Corbin aka "Coe-in." But, she wants it from a distance. She hates it when Corbin tries to give her hugs or kisses, and she will scream, hit and/or bite Corbin when he tries to do these things. Poor Corbin. Avery is such a rascal.
* Her new favorite game is "Lion comin!!" She will yell it out and then she slams the door if she is in a bedroom, or she will just run and hide from the lion. Not sure where this one came from. But, she loves it and plays "lion coming" many times throughout the day.
* Is a picky little eater. It drives me crazy.
* Loves playing with her friends, Lila, Abby, and Kimmy
* Loves brushing her teeth. But the only way I can get her to open her mouth for me to brush them is to pretend that there are animals hiding in her mouth.
* Loves to play with stuffed animals, cars, Corbin's fire truck, animals, dinosaurs.
* Recently went through a phase where she would call Clark, "Daddy, my daddy" anytime she talked to him. It was adorable.
* Gave up the pacifier about a week before she turned 2. It was a surprisingly painless event. Thank goodness.
* Got her first haircut on November 9. More of a trim, then anything. But, still worthy of documentation.

Avery's 2 year stats:
Height: 32 1/2 inches.........15%
Weight: 23 lb 6 oz.............10%