Getting into the Christmas Spirit!

We have been extra busy around here getting into the Christmas spirit!  From shopping to tree trimming, to Christmas partying, to card addressing, to cookie jar making... we have not wasted any time!  It has been really fun this year with 2 little ones, especially a 3 year old who is REALLY getting into this year!  Avery is so excited about everything, especially the "make-up table" that she hopes Santa is bringing her. 

 The girls helped decorate the tree after Thanksgiving

 The end result! 

 We started a new tradition with Elf on the Shelf this year!  Avery named her "Allie the Elf"  We read the book EVERY night and most nights Avery insists on Allie sleeping with her (so, we aren't really following the directions very well... but it's still fun!)

 Ted spent a weekend cutting up a ton of fire wood from an old pecan tree

 Getting ready to go to my work Christmas party... my parents graciously kept the girls over night!

 And the following night... going to Ted's work Christmas party!

 Ted's parents came and stayed with us that night!  Avery and her friend Truett making cookies with Nana.

Grandpa playing with the kids

 Writing letters to Santa

 My niece's Birthday party!

 NaNa, PawPaw and the kids

 Checking out the Christmas lights out at BLORA

The girls really enjoyed it!  I was so proud of Avery, she saw a Nativity scene, and immediately yelled "Jesus!"  I asked her how she knew that, and she said so matter of factly, "I learn about Jesus at church."  Love that my 3 year old already knows Jesus. 

 My Mom's family Christmas

 A jumpy house always makes everything more fun!

 Natalie cruising in the jeep with her cousin Brayden

 Making cookie jars for gifts!  Our little assembly line!

 An adorable sister moment

 Sharing a sleeping bag watching a Christmas movie

So precious... melts my heart!!!  Love these 2 so much, especially when they are this sweet together! 

 

As you can see, we have been busy, busy, busy these past 2 weeks... and this really didn't include everything we have been up to!  haha!  2 weeks to go until Christmas!  Hope you are all in the spirit and hope you remember the Reason for the Season!  

Thanksgiving weekend!

So much to be thankful for in 2012!  And VERY thankful for a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend to relax, play, visit with family, and get ready for Christmas.

 We spent Thanksgiving day at my Grandma's house.  Not too many pictures, but here are a few!

 The girls both enjoyed a turkey leg!

 Natalie helping NaNa in the kitchen.

 Avery helping Daddy pick up tons of pecans!

 Today, we took the girls to the zoo, and my parents joined us!

Such a perfect day for the zoo!  It was nice and cool, and hardly anyone was there!

 Such a great picture of Avery and Papa!

 The girls loved the tree slide!

 Mommy and Natalie and the giraffe!

 NaNa and Natalie

 Our family

 Such a pretty time of the year to visit the zoo!!

 The jaguar was so cool!

 The girls loved this slide!!

Such a fun trip to the zoo!  We'll definitely be going back soon!

Love these little girls

Days and weeks are exhausting around here with these 2 little girls and our other jobs (which sometimes feel like "vacation"), but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.  I frequently remind myself that they are only little for such a short time, I will not always feel this tired, I will not always worry about the "little things."  This is the time that is so important, I can never get it back, I will only have pictures, videos, and precious memories of these cute little girls in the years to come...  They will soon be young women, and I hope and pray that I do a good job now, so that hopefully they will be best friends and know Jesus and be as blessed as we are. 

 Their school pictures from last month... I was so happy with them!

 Avery at 3 years, 2 months

 Natalie at 16 months

 My silly Avery.  She just lives in dress-up clothes! 

 My little diva showing off her first pink Christmas tree!

 Sweet Natalie, growing up so fast!

 She is just full of energy and learning so much here lately.

I love being a Mom to these precious little girls. 

Halloween and Peyton's Birthday party

The girls had a fun Halloween again with their cousin Tanner.  As their Texas trip is getting ready to end, and they are preparing for their move to the Netherlands, they spent a couple more days with us.  This is starting to become a tradition, as they have spent the last 2 Halloweens together.  Last year was a little different, as Natalie and Tanner were just babies. 

We did a little bit of trick or treating around the neighborhood, and this was the best picture we could get of the 3 of them.  haha

 This year was a little different!  The kids got all dressed up and we headed out to our church's Fall Festival. 

 The cutest little bug, mermaid, and princess we've ever seen!! 

 Our family had a great time!  I think Avery ate enough candy for the rest of the year!  haha

 Dan, Tikkibird, and Tanner... oh, how we're going to miss them!

 Avery had the best time in all the bounce houses!

 Daddy and Natalie

Our sweet little nephew Tanner... love him! 

 And today was our other little nephew's 1st Birthday!!!

 A John Deere Party for a very special boy!

 Natalie and Peyton.. so cute!

 This inflatable was awesome!

 Even Natalie went down the slide!

 Fun times!

Oh... and did I mention today was opening day of deer season?!?!