2 1/2 weeks

Lee was getting ready Wednesday for his 2 1/2 week trip to Washington DC Area to do his yearly commitment for the Air Force Reserves. He had lots of packing since he had uniforms, street clothes and 17 pairs of socks! He laid everything out on the bed to access the damages before packing it into the suitcase. The girls decided to have fun - Ann Alyse first, then Avery joined in. The both loaded up and Lee closed the lid - boy were the muted giggles funny! Lee rode them around the bedroom for a while before making them move on to greener pastures so he could really pack! It was fun while it lasted and I am sure he could have really packed them up and taken them with him. We were scheduled to join him up there one week of his trip, but it got postponed and I am too far along to fly so we are braving it (bacheloretting it, really) here in Texas! We miss you, Daddy...hurry home!

Can you hear the little giggles?

Peek-A-Boo! Here we are!

So much fun!

Christmas Morning!

Christmas morning was so sweet! Such sweet memories that will last a lifetime! We all enjoyed opening presents, then eating breakfast together and playing with all of our new toys before a long day of traveling to relatives' houses and eating lots of food! Ann Alyse & Avery were so excited with all their toys and had a blast opening up all the presents. We ended present time by singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and blowing out candles on His birthday cake we made on Christmas eve. It really was a fantastic morning.

Here's what it all looked like after Santa left and before we tore into it!
Ann Alyse & Avery ready to run into the living room!

Ann Alyse's new bike - of course Avery thought it was hers!

Both of them got new doodle pads - big ones for home and a small one for the truck!

Avery's thinking can I please open this now?

Santa left a few markers out to use!

Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and blowing out the candles!

Ann Alyse was a pro on her bicycle. We thought it would take a while to master it, but she took off!

It started raining so our budding little artists had to come inside and paint with their new watercolors while Mama made breakfast for everyone!

Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas Eve this year! We went to the grocery store together to buy everything we needed to make Jesus a Happy Birthday Cake. This was Ann Alyse's idea and she was so proud to help make it. We made lots of cookies and pies and snack foods to eat that night. Then, Ann Alyse and Avery opened their Christmas pajamas - one pair for Christmas eve and one pair for Christmas night. They enjoyed tracking Santa on the computer with Daddy and writing a note for Santa and leaving him pie, cookies and milk. Ann Alyse couldn't wait to go to bed because she knew that Santa wouldn't come unless she was in bed asleep. She kept rushing through everything so she could go to bed. A once in a lifetime experience!

All smiles making the cake for Baby Jesus.

Sweet creation from all of us!

Avery showing off her new pajamas!

Ann Alyse doesn't know which one she wants to wear first!

Together under the tree - now let's hurry to bed so Santa can come!
Tracking Santa on the computer - NORAD has a great site!

Writing Santa a note - what a note it was, too!

New Bedroom

We finally broke out the pink paint and got to work right before Christmas on Ann Alyse and Avery's new bedroom. We painted all the walls pink and put in their new bed and organized the mass of toys. There will be some blue and yellow paint on the walls as well, but that will be a few weeks in the future! Ann Alyse helped for a few minutes and only spilled three drops of paint on the carpet! It looks great now and both the girls love the room. Just in time for baby Alayna to move into the nursery!

Ann Alyse helping paint

Both girls in the top bed their first night. We didn't have a mattress for the trundle yet. Avery now sleep on the trundle.

Playing doctor in their new bedroom with lots more floor space. Avery laid there for 20 minutes letting Ann Alyse doctor her up.