Thanks Mimi!

Avery likes her new dress "this much!"...

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Today was Avery's birthday, can you believe she's ONE already?

I mean really where did the year go?

Anyway, we had a little party for her and if you live in Utah, you'd know, it really is a winter "one-derland"! So we decorated with a few snowflakes, but pink of course, after all it is my baby girl's first birthday.

I made a yummy cake, but she wanted nothing to do with it. And turns out, she's not too fond of my cookies either!
But, she did have a great time opening presents...
... and loved spending a few hours with family and friends.

(this is Ellie and I'm pretty sure one of her first words was "Avery")

(and this is Ryan, Ava's brother, and I'm pretty sure they'll be best pals

just like their older siblings)

So we had a good night and we have a fabulous little girl!

Happy Birthday Avery!

Christmas - before and after

(Christmas Day pictures will come later)

Christmas Eve

Chris had planned a super fun evening for the kids. They made snowman kits, painted Christmas trees and decorated cookies for Santa.

We had such a fun night! But before it was over there were a couple more things to do. The kids opened their new Christmas jammies (a family tradition) and this year they seemed to fit their personalities... Wesley - the "Dread Pirate Roberts", Jack - truly a monster, and Avery - the angel (sometimes hell's angel, but an angel none the less!).

And just before bed, we read "The Night Before Christmas" (another family tradition, this one is especially dear to me). But this year, the book was a present from Mimi and was recorded with her voice. It was awesome! Wesley listened to it over and over again.
So Christmas was great, but here are the pictures from the day after.
Getting a picture of the kids in their new clothes was not easy,

here are my favorites...

Merry Christmas!

How cute are they?!

Christmas Card 2010

Sorry fellow bloggers, I didn't buy enough Christmas cards this year... which means I mostly sent to family and out-of-towners. But, just so you are not left completely in the dark, here it is. I hope you enjoy it, well as much as you can on a computer screen!

And, I just discovered you can't read the inside. ughh. But really it was just another Merry Christmas and Happy New Year kind of thing. Sorry.

With Love Blue Christmas 5x7 folded card

Personalize your Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Santa's Messages

Santa sent Jack and Wesley special video messages today. Check them out here...

Jack's - http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/ls9SODmMlsSAOsaR6ilXtw

Wesley's - http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/DG_BVbCDiiC0ZrI-cpe1Bg

But why should kids have all the fun?

Michele and Matt hosted a Christmas party Friday night, complete with a Santa Claus! Brad and I had a great time... no kids allowed.

Thank you Michele for a delightful evening out and

thank you Shanna and Reed for watching our three little rascals while we partied the night away.

Christmastime and other Fun Stuff

Saturday, we went to the Festival of Trees, one of my most favorite traditions over the past few years. The beauty of the trees, the festivities, and the charity of it all really gets me excited about the holidays. This year we took the kids to see Santa while we were there. The boys loved him, while Avery was not too impressed.

On Monday, we had our Christmas party for the kids in our playgroup. Since the kids are in preschool now, we've somewhat disbanded playgroup... so getting all together for a party was lots of fun. Avery may not have been happy to see Santa, but she was more than happy to see all the kids.
Once again the picture isn't great, but these kids sure had a fun time. They put on a puppet show of the nativity that was so cute and they were all too excited to hold up their part.
And in between all of this excitement my baby girl has learned to stand by herself. She even took two steps Sunday night! It won't be long before she's a walker.
I just adore her.

And one last thing just for fun...

Good thing Dad doesn't style her hair everyday!