Merry Merry Christmas!

Some pictures from our Christmas card "photo shoot."

ICE SKATING!

Randy and I took Bella ice skating for the first time. It was actually our first time going together as well. She had fun but tired very fast!

Finishing up. Or Just starting?

I am behind on Advent documentation, but here it goes...

Day 12: We went to McAdenville to see the lights, Christmastown USA!

(Ava had her first cookie that night)

Day 13: We made ornaments that were supposed to be gifts but they didn't turn out :(
Day 14: We made marshmallow & peppermint hot chocolate stir sticks.

Day 15: We had a snow surprise! It was snow in a can.

Day 16: Bella and I made homemade apple butter in the crock pot.
Day 17: We made a special chocolate treat with caramel & peanut butter.
Day 18: We decorated jars for putting the treats in.
Day 19: Bella had a Christmas program at school & we had her go through toys to give away.

Day 20: We watched a Christmas movie (The Polar Express) and enjoyed hot chocolate!
Day 21: We visited the Billy Graham Library as our annual tradition.

(the goat kept jumping onto the fence!)

Day 22: We made reindeer pancakes.

Day 23: We made paper snowflakes out of coffee filters.
Day 24: We are currently baking Jesus's birthday cake & the girls will open their new Christmas pajamas to wear tonight!

So we are finishing up the Advent season, but that just means the BEGINNING of the celebration for our Savior's birth! Pray for me though because it has been very busy. I would love nothing more than to relax and enjoy this special time but right after Christmas I am back to work on a large paper and reading to be turned in on January 4th. My time off really happens come January 5th. My hope is to be fully present these next two days with the girls & family & put that work out of my mind.

Advent: Day 8, 9, 10 &11

Loving the season!

Day 8: We baked cookies & decorated them & then delivered them to neighbors via Bella. It turned out quite hilarious.
Day 9: We went to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia for their Lights Before Christmas

Day 10: We wrapped Christmas gifts- not too many for the lack of time and because I am afraid Bella will spill the beans to everyone she sees before Christmas!
Day 11: Wreath craft we haven't exactly completed

Looking forward to the rest of the month full of fun and family time. I think the best part is Ava experiencing it all for the first time!

pulling up!

While the cat is away, the mice will play! While Bella was gone today Ava pulled up on the coffee table to take a look at her manger scene :) She still doesn't pull all the way up to her feet but its a step, plus she had fun with the nativity!

Advent: Day 5, 6 & 7

Day 5 we made gift tags out of peanut shells. They are pretty cute but Bella lost interest pretty fast :(

Day 6 we worked on Christmas cards. We were supposed to get them in the mail but ran out of time so they are still on the table :(

Day 7 (the best this week) we had a friend over and we all worked on cinnamon ornaments to hang on the tree. They smell so good and they were actually a lot of fun to do.

more for us

I really hope that people aren't sick of hearing about the details of the little ones' lives but truly, this is more for us anyway. It is really helpful in keeping a record of the milestones and memories. So without further a due, I present to you more of the things Bella has said lately...

1. When we set up her Little People nativity, she noticed there wasn't enough room for everyone to fit into the stable. She said, "These kids are going to get soaping wet!" (They were the 3 wise-men.)

2. She recently got a new nightgown and she asked me where it was. I told her to look for it and after a few minutes she came back to me and said, "I can't find it. It must be in the dishwasher."

3. This she has been telling me for a couple of weeks now- "Mom, I should wear my up shoes. The ones that put me up in the air you know?" I couldn't figure it out at first but she is looking for her heels/wedges that she wore all summer. Unfortunately, they are "hiding" now that it is cooler out because I wasn't too fond of the look with her purple socks and what have you. They are sandals and have seen their day! She thinks they are just the fanciest thing though so I may be in the market for some more heels this winter.

4. Her friend dressed up as a ghost for Halloween (over a month ago mind you!) but she informed me a couple of days ago that she did not like "goats" and he should not have been a "goat." She said she wanted him to dress up like Superman.

Advent: Day 1, 2, 3 & 4

As Bella gets older, we really want to make sure we teach her what Christmas is all about. As adults it is hard enough to keep our thoughts focused on its true meaning so this year we put an Advent calendar in place. Most of the activities are still a lot about having fun and don't necessarily revolve around Christ's birth but with having the days numbered, we feel like she still knows we are approaching His birthday, we are all anticipating it plus we are getting to spend a lot of intentional time as a family celebrating the season.

On the first day, we went to Walk Through Bethlehem in Matthews. It was something I was able to do as a kid and I knew Bella would love to see Baby Jesus. Fortunately and unfortunately, I was right. She didn't care to take her time walking through the rest of the town, she just wanted to get to Baby Jesus! It was pretty special though and a great way to start the season off right!

We picked up our Christmas tree on the way home and that was also fun. We let Bella pick it out this year and she did a fantastic job!

Ava was pretty excited too!

On Day two, we decorated the tree and put out other decorations in the house including the famous train of Daddy's.

Day three, we, as I mentioned elsewhere, wrapped up boxes to put around the tree as a little blockade for Ava. I also have a box full of extra unbreakable balls (one of my best investments since having children) by the tree which also helps occupy them both!

Today is Day 4 and we are going to set up the Little People Nativity set and my Willow Tree Nativity (most favorite gift ever!). Should be fun!

10 months old

That's right. Our little Ava is 10 months old today!! She was up in the middle of the night last night and I knew it was her teeth- her gums have been swollen about a week now. Anyway, this afternoon as she chewed on my finger, I felt it! Her right bottom tooth is poking through! (This is exactly how it happened with Bella on her 9 month birthday).

Ava said, "Ma Ma" for the first time on Sunday November 25th and she has been saying it every since! She may just be saying sounds, but I like to think she is talking about her mommy! She started saying "Da Da" about a month ago. (Bella also says that Ava says, "B...B...Bella.")

She has a little fever today and I am sure that it is because of those teeth, but it is still sad that she isn't feeling herself.

A few weeks ago I started singing 'Jesus Loves Me" to her and she started bouncing up and down and "singing." It was the sweetest thing. Her sweet little voice is priceless and now she does it when almost any slow song comes on.

In other news, it is her first Christmas! I could not be more excited. It is also the first Christmas Bella has been able to really help me and understand more of what is going on. She decorated the tree almost all by herself. Ava has not even really bothered the tree at all. I am amazed. She will crawl (scoot rather- still not actually crawling) over and touch one of the ornaments and then be on her merry way. It is quite a relief actually. Bella and I did, however, wrap up some pretend presents to put around the tree to keep her from getting too close in case she tries.

Only two more months and Ava will be a year old- way too fast if you ask me!