The littlest angel

Despite missing work the last few days on account of Avery being home sick, I took another couple hours of annual leave to take part in the girl's daycare Christmas show.  It was so cute.  I only wish Kendall was here to be a part of her class presentation - too cute!  And Avery - well she was an angel of course.

Before Kendall, daddy, gma, and gpa left for Michigan, Santa paid us a visit. 

The lights before Christmas!

Well to get into the Christmas spirit we decided to take in a local night parade.  Both Aaron and dad thought it was a little weird that mom and I separately prepared with hot chocolate and popcorn...what can I say great minds think alike.

The West Columbia Christmas Parade.

 It was actually quite warm and Avery had fun practicing her wave.

 Here are dad and Kendall eating the left overs - despite making fun of me.

We decided that we had to at least do something - albeit small to celebrate Avery's 1st Birthday.  So after a day off of work to check out the Early Child Center that we are considering enrolling Kendall in next year, a haircut, and a doctor's appointment, we decided to have a few friends over for pizza and cake.  It was low key but very nice. 

Poor Avery was a bit out of it after her doctors visit.  It is hard to believe that she is already a year old.

 She didn't really get the concept of unwrapping, but she did like her gifts.

 Nate likes the balloon.

 Her new bow...complete with her initial - no hand me downs for this pretty girl.

 Modeling her new hat.

The next morning we hit up a local craft fair and then hurried home to make it back in time to have a few friends over to make and decorate cookies.  Here are Kate and Kendall helping Grandma Rose roll out the dough.

 JP didn't do much cookie baking, but we enjoyed his company!

 After coffee we moved on to mimosas - yum!

After exerting so much energy on baking cookies, Kendall and Kate had a blast veggie out on the couch, playing dress up, and watching movies. 

It was a busy weekend, but lots of fun! 

Avery is developing quite the personality.  She is stubborn and persistent, but so happy! She is almost walking on her own and loves to clap and dance. She can sit for long periods playing with one of her two favorite toys (her car or fridge phonics) and putting things in an out of containers.  She LOVES bananas and give the world's best hugs.  She is our little bean and we love her more everyday.

She was a little under the weather this weekend - all explained by the new tooth I spotted tonight poking out on the top front. She weighs in at just over 20 pounds and is in the 50th percentile - a step up from the 30th percentile of her last visit. 

We are looking forward to making the trek back to Michigan for Christmas festivities with family and friends.  Aaron and Kendall will head back first, followed by Avery and I a week later. 

November

I know, I know...it's been way too long since I have posted.  It's been busy, but here goes...
In early November Grammy and Uncle Adam came down for a visit.  While here we took the opportunity to check out a local corn maize. Here we are listening to our instructions.

It was a very cool place - we'll be back.  While here we celebrated Grammy's birthday and mine. 

Kendall took a beating at daycare...apparently she still hasn't mastered the art of defense.  But, in other news she has pretty much mastered potty training!

Here are the girls and daddy watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Mom, dad, Avery and I got up early and went on a one mile turkey trot to start the day off right. 

We kept up our Thanksgiving day tradition of taking the time to write down something we are each thankful for on the table cloth.  Since the girls are still little, we do their handprints...although I did write in Kendall's print this year that she was "thankful for her toys."

 We took some time to play in the leaves. 

Avery is nearly walking and really getting around. She can turn a circle faster than anyone else I know! In fact she took her first step on Thursday, December 1st.  It was just one step and then she fell but she has gotten much better at standing for long periods.  I do predict she'll be walking by her birthday.

Believe it or not this only represents about half of the food we made and ate...it wouldn't all fit on the table!

 Kendall is really into puzzles - here she is coloring one.

The xmas tree.  We put up the rest of our outside lights today and the stocking are hung on the chimney with care. 

We also enjoyed visiting with Great Gma Alice who spent much of the month of November here in SC at mom and dads.  We just sent her back to Michigan this morning.  For more on what we did while she was here visiting, check out mom and dad's blog.

Where did October Go?

Crazy Busy here lately.  The Denjas and Aunt E arrived in SC for a surprise Bday present to Gma Rose. It has been non stop since.  We had family pictures taken, went to various fun events around the midlands and even celebrated an engagement. I won't spend a lot of time here describing in detail the events of the last few weeks - mostly because others have already done it here and here, but needless to say it has been a fun and very busy time.  Bring on the holiday season!

At the SC State Fair.

 At Boo at the Zoo.

 Hanging at the house.

 At the Old Mill in Lexington.

 At the Lake Murray Dam.

 At Gma/Gpa Redmonds.