This is a great little story!!!!!!!!

Booty Shaker

I have been meaning to post this video for some time. It was during a Christmas party in December. She loves to "Shake it!"

To Nap or Not to Nap

Lately we have been struggling with Ava over nap time. We recently switched her crib into a day bed. At first she did awesome, would stay in her bed during naps and at bed time. Then slowly she figured out she could get out when ever she wanted. So now during naps she gets out of bed, pulls every toy, and article of clothing she has on to her floor, then knocks on the door to be let out. (Sounds cute, but for those of you who have kids, know that when they don't nap, it gets ugly as the day goes on.) I think she is still too young to stop taking a nap, but what do I know, I've never had to do this before.

So today, the kids and I were going to go to lunch and shopping with my mom on my day off. We went to lunch, and Ava starting throwing tantrums at the restaurant. So I decided to take the kids home and give them their naps before shopping. Got home and put the kids down for their naps. Cash, of course fell right to sleep, but cute little Ava proceeded with her nap time ritual of tearing her room apart, then knocking on her door. After going in there a couple of times with no success, I went and got her and told her that she had to sit on the bean bag while mommy worked on her church lesson. The next thing I knew I heard snoring and found this...

Random Pictures

Ava and grandpa in the snow

Yeah! Cash is sitting up on his own

Ava and Cash in their wagon they got for Christmas

Christmas #2

This year we were lucky enough to celebrate Christmas twice, this time with Mike's side of the family. This year Mike's sister and her family were able to come over from Kansas. They spent Christmas Day somewhere else, so a couple of days later we all got together, had dinner and opened presents. Ava had a blast playing with her cousins, and we found out that we have one more on the way, congrats Teri and Rob! The kids got spoiled. I don't know where we will put everything. We are so blessed to have so many family members who love us. Thanks everyone for a great Christmas!

(Ava opening her first present)

(Yes, those are all the kids presents, Santa didn't even spoil them that much.)

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was busy, busy, busy. First we woke up with the kids and opened their presents from Santa. It was fun, but I think I expected more from it (Ava still doesn't quite understand the whole Santa thing, maybe next year. ) After we got dressed, we headed over to my parent's house for breakfast and to open presents. Usually my brother and his family come too, but they got snowed in (we missed you guys.) We then went to my grandparents house, where we had lunch and opened more presents. After that we visited 2 more grandparents. I was surprised how well the kids did with no naps. Not more than 5 seconds after we got in the car after our last visit, they were out. I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas, thanks to everyone who helped make it that way.

This is what a long Christmas Day and no nap do to you!

Christmas Eve

Every year for Christmas Eve we go to my parents house. We eat & eat, play games, chit chat, and just relax. We all had fun. It was nice to get together with everyone, and to see some friends we haven't seen in a while.

After the party we put the kids into their Christmas PJ's. They looked so cute!