Trimming the Tree, it's Christmas Time!

In keeping with our family tradition, or so it has become since we moved to Texas, we spent the weekend after Thanksgiving trimming the tree and stringing up the lights! Avery and daddy went to pick out the tree while Ella and I unwrapped the decorations. She was such a big help! I thought Wade was playing a joke when he walked in with a 3' noble fir but he quickly explained that Avery "earned" his own tree from the man at Home Depot by sweeping up all the pine needles while he waited in line with daddy. The man just gave it to him, such a sweet gesture, so thank you kind stranger. It was such a great lesson for Avery to see that you are sometimes rewarded unexpectedly by doing good deeds for others. Tree aside, he learned a valuable lesson today, and his heart felt good to help he said. He was so proud. Avery with his tree. Maybe now it's ready for decorations after we used 2 cans of faux snow on the branches!! Avery posing with his new "favorite" ornament - Toy Story Fallin' with Style I love this sweet pic of Ella taking a break from the decorating... Mom had the tree almost finished when Ella woke up from her nap. Check out the look of wonder on her face! If this doesn't get you in the spirit of Christmas, look again! Happy Holidays Everyone!

Thankgiving at Aunt Shelly's

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!! We hope everyone had a happy and healthy holiday, with lots of relaxation and good laughs with friends and family. We spent the holiday at Aunt Shelly's with the Larson gang. Great food and of course football, Gig'Em Aggies. We had quite the house divided with Aunt Shelly and her friend rooting for UT and us for A&M. Avery was hilarious yelling Go Aggies and with every score he would announce "We won!" Even more amazing was how he used his new love of drawing to make a special picture as a place setting for everyone before dinner. He made them "because he was thankful for each one of us." Our son has such a BIG heart! Ella is ready for a big girl bike, complete with training wheels of course. We'll wait to see what Santa, or "Grammie" brings!! Avery is giving her pointers of course... The kiddos had so much fun with their Uncle Chad. Avery was his shadow all weekend, they really enjoyed themselves. Avery and Ella were drawing and coloring their hearts out. GG and Ella shared some special time together as Ella tried every marker in Shelly's tub of hundreds!! So sweet!

More Wedding Day Moments

Daddy Daughter Dance Cousins Ella had a great time, entertained herself all night long! Waiting for the get away! Sparklers! Look at that concentration! There they go! Happy family, except Avery who was sad that Aunt Stephers was leaving... Winding down at mom and dad's. Aunt Trudy and Natalie.

Transition Time

Fall has finally arrived and may be here to stay... Time to transition in more ways than one. Ella slept in hr big girl bed for the 1st time Sunday night. Maybe it's because she was so tired from the flight home from FL, who knows what flipped the switch, but so far she has been 4 out of 7 nights this week in her bed without waking us up 3 times a night. Hoping I don't speak too soon, but I am amazed at how well she sleeps. No pitter patter of feet at our bedside in the early morning hours so far! Hooray! We also had Avery's last t-ball game on Saturday morning. We layered up and braved the cold wind to see the little ones have their fun. Avery had a great hit but needs to work on his speed, was tagged out at 1st. (Mid season they started having outs - I missed this somehow...) Not surprised though! Thanks Jack and Nicole for coming out to cheer on our little man! It was very special to me having you guys there. After the game, we went for breakfast tacos with Alex's family. Alex has a little crush on Ella we think, he adores her, picks her up and hugs on her a lot and she loves the attention as well. Then it was home for a lot of nothing the rest of the day. Here's some pics of the kiddos lounging around on the couch and hamming it up outside. We even got the Gator out for the 1st time in months and Ella is starting to drive it. Look out world, she knows how to give it gas! Some of these are too funny! Avery was striking a pose and Ella does everything Avery does, what a trip. I must mention how well Avery is reading these days. Instead of me reading 2 books every night, he is picking the board books and beginning reader books to read to me! The progress has been overnight and so rewarding to watch. The best part is he LOVES all his books, so this Christmas might be a good one to get him just that! Have a wonderful week everybody.

Going to the Chapel...

It's Official! Married Bliss! It's surreal that my big sister is now married and leaving tomorrow for her honeymoon. We had 3 wonderful days in FL as Stephanie and Andy tied the knot on Saturday at 3pm. Friday afternoon the girls took a limo to the Grand Floridian for tea and then it was off to the church for the wedding rehearsal followed by the rehearsal dinner that evening. Saturday I was able to have some alone time with my sis as we got our hair and makeup done at the salon before being whisked away to the church for pictures and the ceremony. The whole day went by so fast for everyone, wishing the fun didn't have to end. We thank everyone who was there for all of their help and support leading up to and after the big day - we couldn't have done it without each and every one of you. I look forward to posting more photos as everyone shares the memories they have captured, so be ready for many more posts from the celebration. And to my children who blew us away this weekend - they are even more grown up than we had thought - you both did an amazing job and we love you! Incredible, beyond words. Congratulations Stephanie and Andy! Ella at the reception, hamming it up! Ella and daddy getting ready for the grand entrance A break between family photos at the church Ella and Avery preparing for their roles as ring bearer and flower girl. Avery and Aunt Stephers in the bridal room - we're relaxing and ready! Rehearsal dinner - what a sweet photo of the bride and groom to be. So glad Avery snapped this shot!