Hailey baby

I think Hailey really wants to go to school.



She loves to walk around with her sister's backpack on.




She so much wants to be like Avery and Pete.




Don't take away my backpack Mommy!!

Children's Museum

We took advantage of Pete's Friday off and spent the morning at the children's museum. Fun times on these pulley rides - kinda wanted to ride one,too! We enjoyed it so much we ended up getting a membership . . . with our big family it only takes us 3 visits to justify the cost!






Painting was also a lot of fun! They made beautiful masterpieces and didn't want to leave this area!




Daddy loved building with his babies, and boy, did they love it too! Even though this area is geared toward older kids, they did really well!




So, I don't photo edit every picture but I edit my favorites and when it is needed. Avery just got overhaving the WORST chapped lips I have ever seen. I think they got so bad because we just didn't realize what it was! So, some pics you can see traces of the poor little lips and in some cases I just "healed" it right out of there!! Gotta love photoshop!

Walk this way . . .

So, I'm going to call it . . . Hailey is officially walking! She's been doing "baby steps" and prancing around here and there but I'm going to go ahead and say, for sure, without a doubt - SHE'S WALKING!!! The video speaks for itself! (Warning: If you are watching this at work it DOES have music!!) :)

More of this, more of that . . .

My brave little bugs, running to the top, then sliding to the bottom, all by themselves. We are relishing the beautiful weather. After these pictures were taken Avery is now sliding down on her stomach, because she is so tiny she just whips uncontrollably down. When she is on her tummy, it slows her down a bit.





Could they be any sweeter? If I had been able to back up, you would see that all three of them were holding hands. Priceless!



I love my sisters,
oh yes I do,
I love my sisters,
this much is true .. . except when I am pushing, saying NO, or otherwise being a typical boy!!

A little of this, and a little of that . . .

Pete's first experience with hot chocolote (err . . .warm chocolate) on one of the few REALLY cold days we have down here. Avery's bed one morning. You might think "Why are is there newspaper in teeny tiny pieces all over the bed?" Well, Avery woke up during the night and Daddy thought it would be a good idea to give her the newspaper to read in bed, since she likes to read so much. This is what I found in the morning. Daddy's response was "I thought she would like the funnies . . . " Hailey's new found love . . . reading. I think I get a picture everyday of her cuddled up with some board book (still having a bit of trouble with those paper ones . . ) And finally, what could be better when you are two than your own personal bounce house in your garage? What could be better for a momma than for her two year olds to let off some steam when the weather was nasty, cold and wet for a week. I just pulled the bounce house into the garage and let them bounce away!!

Under the sea . . .

We went to the aquarium near our home mainly because we know our kids love animals (and partly because all our kids were free!)



We had a great time and adventure. They loved shouting, pointing and otherwise going crazy looking at all the animals. What were their favorites? I think the penguins and possiblly the sea horses! (Every time Avery sees or hears the word "horse" she says "Pete cry" which is a story from another time entirely!)





They had a little petting zoo with little starfish, sea urchins and hermit crabs. Guess who would touch it and guess who wouldn't???




Hailey also seemed to thoroughly enjoy herself also. She stared in great wonderment at all the animals zipping around her. I haven't seen her that quiet in some time . . .

Two weeks

Throughout Christmas, Pete had days off from work and then took off other days in order to have a full 14 days off. It was really awesome and we throughouly enjoyed being together as a family. On many days when we would be gettig the kids ready, he would turn to me and say "How do you do this by yourself?", which would totally make my day! On his first day back to work, it felt really wierd around our house. I had gotten used to having some help around here! This was so good for all of us. . .I think we are planning on doing it every Christmas break.





This was one of our trips to see the ducks in our neighborhood. I love the look on Avery's face as she is looking and thinking. So sweet, so cute, so smart, so wonderful!

New Years!

Pete and I actually got to go out to dinner together! We had a fabulous time at Stella Sola in the Heights. We could actually have a conversation and spent a few hours eating dinner!! What a concept!!

Thank you to Nana and Pa Pa for changing their plans to watch our kiddos! You don't know how much I appreciated it!

Christmas Day - afternoon

I was very excited to head to my parents house, because my sister and her boyfriend had been in town for days already and we hadn't been able to see them yet (again, reference to the lovely stomach bug!) They too, had been SO anxious to see the kiddos, since it had been a long time since their last visit! I was very happy to be able to get a really great pic of us all . . .and I made a point of making us do it!!

I think the kids really truly were on cloud nine over the past few days for the sheer fact that they got to see everyone that they love in a matter of days. I was so happy for them to be able to feel so loved from both sides of the family! To me, it made me be able to see the true meaning of Christmas!



My mom, of course, out did herself with dinner, decorating, and making sure that each of us felt special. My grandparents were able to also come for the celebration even though my grandpa hasn't been feeling too well lately! He seemed in good spirits though . . . I think it probably had something to do with those sweet little great grandkid faces yelling "GRAMPS!!!" and giving him big hugs.

Avery's new tea party set was a hit with EVERYONE! We all played together for the longest time!



A great gift from GG and Gramps!