Xmas 2013 - Take 1.

 Thanks Uncle Chad and Aunt Kathy.  The girls had fun decorating their snowmen.

 Kendall taking a break to read to Avery. This girl is NEVER. GOING. TO. BE. POTTY. TRAINED!

 Aaron did an awesome scavenger hunt with the girls outside...at the end was a sucker for each, this note, and the new fairy Avery is holding to replace our elf on the shelf, Star.

 What scavenger hunt would be complete without a map!

 Santa was good to us all!

 Opening presents - the first of many rounds on Christmas morning.

 Grammy watches from the webcam - the next best thing, as Avery opens her Jr. Scooter!

 Gma Char always picks out the coolest presents! Here we are making designs.

 Kendall opens her present from her teachers Ms. Gleaton and Ms. Vikki - so nice.

 Thanks Aunt Teri! They love their necklaces...their very first ones ever.

 A rousing game of Sorry. Kendall won!

 An even better game of risk...that took FOREVER!

 And finally, our new backyard playground! This was perfect timing...a co-worker's in-laws just moved and didn't want this...so we disassembled it, drove it home, and put it back together.  The girls are going to LOVE IT! I am going to love kicking them outside to play!

It wasn't all easy, but we got it done! Thanks to all who helped.

Next stop...DISNEY WORLD!

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

 Thanksgiving! Our attempt at a family self portrait. While we have never made it home for Thanksgiving, this was a our first one truly alone.  We missed the Weidners and family, but we made the best of it. Didn't do the annual Turkey Trot run/walk, but instead slept in.

 Grammy and Gpa Rick did visit just before Thanksgiving and they brought the Elf on the Shelf for us to enjoy. I have to admit it has been fun...and, it is a great way to get the girls out of bed every morning. They jump at the chance to see, "where Star is."

 Here she is fishing for goldfish.

 Kendall's list for Santa, to include: 1) Fairy, 2) My Little Pony, 3) Angel Barbie.

 Avery opening her Birthday presents - see previous post.

 She LOVES books!

 She picked out this beautiful cake - strawberry (so pink) with blue frosting...at least it tasted good!

 Gma Rose made a great Birthday dinner!

 At the West Columbia Xmas parade. Again, a sad attempt at a family self portrait.

 At Saluda Shoals light parade. We actually stopped and got out to enjoy smores and a fun slide this year.

 Our lovely Xmas tree!

And...the beginning of a great holiday break!

3 years already?!

Despite my best attempts to keep up, I always seem to fall behind. It's already December and I have yet to post a solitary thing. No time like the present to ditch old habit.

I can't believe that 3 years ago yesterday I was trying to convince Aaron and my mom to to turn off the TV and take me to the hospital. Contractions started at dinner out to Applebees and kept on until I asked to go to the hospital around 9 pm. While things progressed slowly at first once my water was broken it seemed like just minutes until Avery was born! How lucky we were and are to have such a happy person enter our lives.  In an effort to track both the girls changes over the years to come, I'm going to try to embark on a new tradition...a survey taken each birthday to try to capture each of their interests. A snapshot in time if you will since I can't prevent it from quickly passing by.

Avery Ebhelin Mason
12/9/2013

1. How old are you? 3
2. Favorite animal? Elephant
3. Favorite thing to do? Trains
4. What do you love most/why do you love Kendall? Because she is so sweet
5. Favorite color? Pink
6. Favorite movie? Fern Gully
7. Favorite book? Pigeon
8. What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to poop in the potty.
9. Who do you love? Kendall
10. Favorite food? Pizza
11. Favorite toy? Dolls
12. Favorite food? Grapes
13. Favorite song? Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
14. Favorite holiday? School
15. Favorite game? Little Red Riding Hood
16. Favorite restaurant? Grandma's
17. Favorite place to go? Grandma's
18. What color is you hair? Pink
19. Favorite drink? Lemonade
20. Favorite number? 8

Well that's Avery in a nut shell. We love her.