First Snow of the Year!

The first snow of the season. It started saturday morning and we were all excited. Then it continued and continued until Sunday. It left us with a nice christmas gift of 24 inches of the white stuff. I guess it will be a white christmas for us this year.


Waking his sister to show her what was happening. They couldn't get their pjs off fast enough.


















So the process begins...


























Avery trying out her snowangel skills.





























Jake loved the snow. It was his first time. But then...

Exactly 24 hours later...he wasn't thrilled with not being able to move his legs.

I had to make a small area for them to play in. But Jake wanted to help too. We will see how willing he will be when he is a teenager.

Yes that is up to her waist and Jake got lucky he didn't sink all the way down.

Our deck

Poor Tank, kept doing his business on the deck since he couldn't find the stairs.

November 2009

I know I am about a week late getting November updated. But it is the xmas season and there are lots to do. November was good and went very quickly. We spent alot of time getting the house ready for Thanksgiving, since we were hosting it this year. Most people would think...oh no big deal. But when you host a dinner in this family it means 25 people (possibly more). The kids are good. Avery's mouth never ends...someone must be recharging her battery at night. Jake is still the little monkey. I recently found him standing on my kitchen table...dancing! So I have to keep a very close eye on him. Avery is still a very girly girl. Loves her princess movies and MUST wear the coordinating dress that goes with each movie. She may need a bigger closet when she is older. Well, the xmas season should be interesting now that they are both very mobile. I hope not to find Jake hanging off the tree using the lights as a rapel rope. I will keep you updated. Enjoy!

We had a lot of leaves to clean up. . The downside to wanting a big yard. Daddy was blowing them at her. She looked like she was in the middle of a tornado.

My little poser!

Jake was really enjoying it too. He just kept running into the piles. But then would cry because he couldn't see his feet to get out. (Such a "nancyboy")









The part you don't see is she is throwing the pile at her brother.

Thanksgiving 2009

The air hockey team

They spent most of the day in the basement with the air hockey table.

So Avery do you like the sweet potatoes?

Yeah open wide don't want to miss a drop!

ps- she finished the plate!

Jake dancing in the backyard. Anytime he can go in the yard...he feels it necessary to show his appreciation through dance.

Tank praying he is let in before we clear the table.

Mommy and Jake

This is my sister, neice and nephew (and of course my weird husband in the back)

Brady(my greatnephew) and his Nana. This is his first thanksgiving. He really enjoyed it. Of course why not...he was constantly being held and getting everything he wanted. Same reason my kids love the holidays!

Goofball!

So yes she is potty trained.But she tends to get sidetracked when she goes into the bathroom. That is my makeup and face cream. Surprisingly, she put everything in the right place. She just needs to work on her control and aim.

Beauty lesson#3-- "Less is more...you don't want to look like a whore"

Didn't realize all these hair and beauty lessons would be starting so early.

She told me she was a soldier. I guess she has seen many pics of Ryan's West Point days.

But I thought "better take a pic...it will be funny if West Point ends up in her future".

October 2009

We had lots of fun this month. We went to the pumpkin patch. It was Jake's first time and he loves to say "pumpin" over and over again. So when we got there he didn't know what to do first. He was so funny and very busy. Avery was a bit more hesitant, which is her nature. Jake is starting to talk more and more. He says "tank you" for everything, but sounds like a truck driver when he does. Avery is still a talker and actress. She loves to reenact everything she sees on tv. I am usually trying to guess which show or commercial she is acting out. If she wasnt so shy, I would think she would be an actress in the future. We are all looking forward to the christmas season. Especially, since we told Avery that we have Santa's phone number on speed dial. Unfortunately, Jake maybe getting coal this year. He is constantly hitting and already spends time in the corner. Of course we just tell him to go there and he goes on his own. It kinda takes the fun out of it when he goes willingly.



At the pumpkin patch.


















Jake wouldn't sit still long enough for me to get a picture with his sister.










She asked "what do we do here?" I said "we pick a pumpkin" I guess I should have been more specific to what size.


















Jake was very busy. He was all over the place making nice piles and cleaning the pumpkins. I though maybe he was getting paid under the table or something. But he did settle on this one pumpkin.

Waiting for the hayride to start. Avery was a little nervous.

Jake was a little nervous too. But....

he got over it really quick. He is definitely all about the speed.

Avery was a bit adventurous too. She agreed to ride the pony. I never thought she would go through with it. But she surprised me and really liked it.

Trying to contain her brother's excitement. His excitement was bubbling out of him. Avery was more concerned for his safety (the little mommy).

We got to watch cousin Brady one morning. Of course Avery isn't very good at sharing when it comes to Brady.

They smothered him as soon as he came through the door. Jake wouldn't keep his hands off of him. It was a fun morning and not too bad considering I had three kids under 3 yrs in my care for several hours.

Don't you just love rainy cool October mornings relaxing on the couch with a waffle.

Avery hair lesson #2...curly hair people never brush their hair when it is dry. Which goes with lesson #1...curly hair people never brush their hair with a round brush.

Happy Halloween...maybe not. Jake was just upset because the dog was getting in his shot.

Jake was the cutest little piggy around.

Avery was a witch (very fitting if you ask me) and Jake was a pig (also fitting)

Avery's godmother Erika came with us and had a bit of a workout going up to every door.

Visiting (great) Nanny with cousin Brady. She is in her 90's and loves visits from the kids...I think she may prefer them over the adult visitors.

September 2009

September was fun and little more relaxing. We got to spend more time enjoying the backyard before the cooler weather sets in. Although we did have some rain it never stops my kids. Good thing I can watch from the door. Jake has been practicing some new dance moves and a few new words. But he still walks around the house like a gorilla. Avery is a bit of a mommy to Jake. Although she has started blaming him for things that she did. It was quite shocking(and a little funny). I can just imagine the future. She also has a brain like a sponge. She told me she can count and preceded to count to 8 in spanish (courtesy of Dora the Explorer). Don't worry she can count to 12 in english too.
This is a constant face on him. Almost like he is planning something big in that round head of his.


















Avery is a bit organized and felt the letters looked better in a row and wrapped around the fridge.












Jake was "helping"Tank eat.


















I told her to go relax and take a nap. So she decided to play a little first. Notice the skirt, it wasn't on her before she went to her room and before I could see her floor too.
















Waiting for cousin Tori to come over and play (aka babysit)



















Modeling her new hat

















Jake got one too. Of course the boy who would never wear a hat since birth has now decided this is the only hat for him. Hopefully this will not be part of his attire for christmas mass.















Hmm and here I was blaming the dog for smooshing the pillows.













Modeling AGAIN! Good thing she doesn't know where I keep the camera.
















Trying out his new boots and rain coat. Tank not so sure what to think of it. Good thing he isn't a fashion critic.

We did a little fashion shoot at Grandma's house. Trying to take a picture with two squirmy toddlers isn't ideal. But the outfits were vintage and the one Jake wore my brother wore for his 1st birthday (and that was many many years ago). Of course Jake looked like a stuffed sausage in it.







Avery always the model...She was all over her brother during this. I think that is why he seemed so annoyed.