Hanging Out In Hickory

We enjoyed some good time in Hickory with my parents. The kids and I went down last Saturday and stayed through Christmas Eve day. Jon joined us on the 23rd. It was good to relax, visit with Mom and Dad and see my friends!

Dad, Ava, Mom and Emet

Ava enjoyed playing with the remote control Corvette Dad got from someone at work!

Eli and Emet

We went to Kellie's for dinner and the kids exchanged gifts.

Eli and Ava...so sweet!

Me and Kellie

Andy, Eli and Kellie

Leigh Ann, Kellie and I usually get together with our kids at the same time, but Leigh Ann couldn't make dinner that Monday night. She and Davis made a special trip down on Tuesday and had lunch with us at Mom and Dad's house!

Me and the kids with Catie

Ava loves Christmas. She is so into the reason we celebrate...the birth of Jesus and Christmas being his birthday. It was no surprise that she enjoyed the manger scene. Notice how she had to line them up...a little obsessive!

Pops gave Emet his bedtime bottle.

Ava enjoyed snuggling with Granna!

An Early Christmas

During Christmas time we spend a lot of our time traveling to see our families. We decided to celebrate early and give the kids their gifts at our house before we began our travels. (We saved our stockings and one gift for each kid to open on Christmas morning).
The Saturday before Christmas we woke up, Jon made a great breakfast and the kids opened their gifts. We talked with Ava about why we give gifts at Christmas. She seems to understand, as much as a two year old can, that Christmas is about Christ. She knows that we are celebrating the birth of Christ and that Christmas is Jesus' birthday. She also knows that we give gifts to the people we love because God gave us the greatest gift, Jesus, to show us he loves us. It is precious to see our little girl understand the true meaning of Christmas and be excited about it being Jesus' birthday and not just the presents...so sweet!

Jon and Ava making a great breakfast...grits, eggs, sausage and chocolate chip pancakes!

Emet was more interested in the wrapping paper than the presents!

Ava loved her "Little People Learn About Town."

Ava, Daddy and Emet

Emet got a rocking lion...it plays music when you press the buttons on his head!

Mommy with the kiddos

Back in November we were blessed to be able to attend Bayleaf's Toy Chest. This is a ministry for seminary families that allows us to purchase toys at a very minimal cost. Our kids presents all came from there. This year we won a raffle item. No matter the raffle item, you purchase it for only $10. So, Ava is now the proud owner of a John Deere Gator. Thanks to Bayleaf for the blessing that they are to so many families. We are truly thankful!

She loved it! I even had to go back inside to get her bag, baby and sippy cup so she could carry it all in the tractor!

GBC Youth Christmas Party

We had a youth Christmas party a couple of weeks ago. We met at the church, took cookies to some people and sang Christmas songs and then went to the Gann's for our youth party. We ate some great food, thanks to our wonderful leaders and then played Dirty Santa. We had a great time and enjoyed spending time with our youth!

Ava with Brittney, Chelsea and Kara

Jon and Ava with the parrot...this is the gift Jon ended up with. Ava was thrilled! She rides it like a horse and it plays music. She loves it!

Jon and David it their tobogs..Jon's got taken, so did David's. David ended up with Jon's and Chris ended up with David's. David didn't want it but was having fun taking it because of the game. He gave me his so I could put it in Jon's stocking...Jon was so surprised and excited!

Group Picture

Family Christmas Picture

I have been away from the computer and am very behind with blogging! Here is my attempt to catch up!
We had John take a picture of our family one Sunday after church. This is our family Christmas picture from this year. Thanks John!

Fluffer Nutter Sandwiches

Do you ever remember eating peanut butter and marshmallow cream sandwiches? I ate them as a kid and was reminded of them a couple of weeks ago when we went to the Richeson's for a playdate. I bought marshmallow cream at the grocery store so I could relive a childhood memory...and I shared it with Ava. Ava and Isaac enjoyed playing together and then enjoyed their "fluffer nutter" sandwiches. Thanks Melissa for bringing back such a fun memory...and yummy snack!

Ava and Isaac enjoying their lunch...they are so cute together!

Disney On Ice

What a treat!!! Ava and I were able to go with the Academy to Disney On Ice. They had extra tickets to the "school day" Disney on Ice event and let us go with them! We had an amazing time. Our seats were second row, on the ice. We saw Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy, Cars, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Tinkerbell. The show was incredible and what blessing it was to be able to take Ava to see something so special! We enjoyed our "mommy and daughter" time!

Ava was so excited!!

Lightning McQueen
It was a special day for me and Ava!!!

Jingle Bell House

Jon and Ava made a "Jingle Bell house" together. Ava calls it a jingle bell house instead of a gingerbread house. We think it's cute...her favorite Christmas carol is "Jingle Bells." I guess that is where "jingle bell house" came from. They made it last week (I am a little behind on my posts), and have since been enjoying eating it! This may become a fun Christmas tradition for Ava and her Daddy!

Road Trip

We set out Saturday for a road trip! There were several stops along the way...we had a great time. On Saturday we headed to Sanford for the LaRue family Christmas party. We had a good time hanging out with family and celebrating Christmas a few weeks early! Saturday after the party the kids and I headed to Hickory to spend the night with Mom and Dad. Jon went back home...we missed him! Sunday the kids and I drove to Spartanburg to visit with Tracey, Asheton and their new baby girl Bailey. Tracey is a wonderful friend and it was a joy to spend some time with her and her precious new little girl. We also got to spend some time with Allyson, Kevin, Kaleb, Kelsey and Kolson while we were in South Carolina. It was a great time with friends and family...and I now know I can travel alone with my kids and survive!

Family Portrait

Ava and Clara

Ava and Kaleigh

All Smiles

Beautiful Baby Bailey

Tracey and all the kiddos!

Great Friends...we hope our kids will be great friends too!

Emet is checking her out...

How Sweet!

Ava loved holding her! Thanks for trusting her Tracey!

A new family of three!

I got to love on little Bailey too!

Kelsey and Kolson sang at church on Sunday night. We made it to their performance!


Making Christmas cookies...the kids had a blast!

Ava and Kelsey

She loved making cookies...and really loved getting to eat them!

Kelsey

Kolson

Kelsey fed Emet his bedtime bottle!

Kaleb, Ava, Kolson, Kelsey and Emet

7 Months Old

As of December 4, our little man is seven months old. He is growing so quickly and we are enjoying every moment we have with him. He has the sweetest laugh and loves to cuddle. It is a delight to watch him grow and discover new things! We didn't have a check up this month, but two weeks ago we went for a weight check. He was 13 lbs. and 9 oz...but I weighed him on Monday and I think he's gained at least 1 pound in the last two weeks. He is still on the small side, but steadily gaining weight. He was 25 1/2 inches the last time we had him measured. He is our little bundle of joy!

Tea Time

My dad and Jon's mom both love hot tea. I guess that is why Ava loves it so much too. It is always a treat for her to have tea with either her Pops or her Nana. While we were at my parents' she and Pops had "tea time!"