Sip, Sip, Sippy

Emet seems to be doing new things each day. He claps when he hears music, or other people clapping. When he eats he is now using the sign for "more," which lets me know I'm not feeding him fast enough. And, just last week he started on a sippy cup. Along with the sippy came the introduction of apple juice! I have to say the first couple of times we tried it, he struggled and got frustrated. Now, he is a champ and will down the apple juice! It is a joy to see him growing and learning new things!

Emet's first attempt with the sippy...

and Ava being the big sister who has to help!

He liked the juice, but couldn't get it out well!

So we resulted to putting the juice in a bottle so he could enjoy it. However, he will now take the juice from the sippy cup and does quite well!

Lunch with the Murdocks

We had a great time catching up with our friends, the Murdocks today. We met them at Chick-Fil-A in Wake Forest for lunch and some shopping at Target. We hadn't been able to spend much time with them lately, so our time was very much enjoyed. They had a snow day today and our decision to meet was last minute, but it was so worth the trip to get to see our friends! Emily and I caught up and the kids enjoyed playing on the playground. Ava does her best to tag along...Connor, Mary Elaine and Madeline take such good care of her! They enjoy playing with Emet too...but he didn't spend any time on the playground!

A Snowy Day

It has been five years since we have had a snow that was worth getting out in to play. We would always get our hopes up when the weather would call for snow...and we'd be let down when it didn't happen. This morning was a different story! Today we woke up to our yard and roads covered with snow! This was exciting...Emet's first snow and Ava's first real chance to play in snow. Jon and Ava were out in it before 8:00...just for a quick walk. They came back in and we ate breakfast. Then we put on our snow clothes and headed back out. Emet was outside for all of about three minutes...he quickly let us know that he'd had enough of the snow. At least we got some pictures!

Daddy and Emet

In the Snow...

Say "cheese!" She was excited!

Mommy and Emet

All bundled up...and still so cold!

Isn't he cute?

Jon pulled Ava up and down the side of our yard on the sled. She loved it!



Say "Snow Day!!!"



Ava and Jon walked up to our pastor's house and C.J. took this picture of Ava!



C.J. took this one too...Jon and Ava had fun visiting his house. They took the sled and went sledding in his yard. The hills at his house are better for sledding than at our house!

Crash and Burn

We got inside and settled and soon after that Ava crawled up in my lap and fell asleep. I managed to get up without waking her up and had to get this picture!

Play Day!!!

We had the privilege of having Jenna and Caleb over yesterday. The school and ELC were closed, so they got to come hang out with us for the day. Ava certainly enjoyed having friends over all day...they played well together and had a great time!

Popcorn and a Movie...Tarzan

Reading in the Rocker

S.N.A.C.

We have been having youth choir on Sunday nights and the youth choir have been singing in the Sunday night services. We have been enjoying that time with our youth. On Sunday night we headed out after church for SNAC or Sunday Night After Church. SNAC is when we go out to eat on a Sunday evening after the service. So, after our service this past Sunday night we headed out to Red Robin at Brier Creek for dinner. It was a good time of fellowship with our students and our Pastor and his wife joined us as well.

Miss Ava

Emet got a taste of table food. He was eyeballing Jon's food each time Jon would take a bite. We let him "gum" a french fry and he seemed to really like it! I'm ready to get past the baby food stage...maybe it is closer than I thought!

Brook recently had her 18th birthday. They brought her a sundae and sang happy birthday to her!

Happy Birthday Pops

My dad celebrated his birthday last Thursday. He was able to come down and spent Friday night with us. We celebrated his birthday with him...we had dinner at our house on Friday and went out to lunch on Saturday. Dad also came to watch our Upward Basketball games at church on Saturday. Not to mention we put him to work...our pipes had frozen so when Dad got here he helped us by stuffing our vents so our pipes wouldn't freeze again. It was a joy to have him here!

Pantene Beautiful Lengths

Pantene and Locks for Love take ponytail donations and make wigs for women and children who have lost their hair due to illness. Today I had four ponytails (my hairdresser divided my hair into sections) that were 8 inches long cut off. I am sending them to Pantene so they can be used to make a wig. I have documented the change and want to share it with you!

Before...

So Long...

Four Ponytails

My Haircut!!!

Date With Daddy

Today was Jon's day off. He and Ava had a date today! They headed out to Brier Creek for some "daddy and daughter" time. First they did some shopping at Target, picking up some things we needed at the house. Then they went to Moe's for lunch. Moe's was giving away free burritos today, so that was their lunch treat. They had a lot of fun and enjoyed their date!

When Did He Learn To Do This?

I heard Emet waking up from his nap this afternoon and when I went into get him, he was sitting up in his crib. This was the first time he has gone from laying down to sitting up on his own. He is growing up, and his crib will be moved down!

Ava and Addison

We always enjoy play dates. I don't know who enjoys them more, me or Ava! Today we were glad to have Laura, Addison and Piper over. Ava and Addison are good buddies and always enjoy playing together. Piper hangs in there with them and follows them around too! Laura and I enjoy talking and hanging out while the girls play. I'm thankful for the friends the Lord has blessed us with!

Ava and Addison

Almost Crawling

Emet is getting close to crawling. Here is a snapshot of his attempts to crawl. I don't think he likes being on his belly though, so we will see how this goes.
Notice the paci in his mouth...he is pretty much addicted. He drools a lot, but having the paci in minimizes the drooling, so I am a fan.
I love this stage and want to treasure every minute, but my baby is growing so fast. I'm not sure I am ready for the crawling, it just means he is growing up...and that I will now be chasing him around the house!

Sitting Up

Superman

Push Ups...trying to crawl, I think!

Five Fabulous Years

Two weeks ago we had our five year anniversary. We were at Jason's wedding on our actual anniversary, so we had our anniversary "date" on Saturday night. We enjoyed walking around at Southpoint, dinner at P.F. Chang's (my favorite) and a movie. We don't get to go out like this often, so it was a real treat. Spending the evening together was great. Jon is an amazing man and I am blessed to have him in my life. He loves me and our kids without condition and I couldn't ask for more! I reflect back on a wonderful five years and thank the Lord for what He has done in our lives and in our marriage!

Tea Party and a Tractor Ride

We missed spending time with Melissa, Isaac and Caleb over Christmas. It was great to have them over last Thursday. Ava and Isaac enjoyed playing together and as always, I enjoyed adult conversation and fellowship with Melissa.
Quite possibly the highlights of Ava and Isaac's morning together were their tea party and tractor ride. It was great! The very first thing they did was have tea and crackers...then later they took a ride on Ava's John Deere Gator. So, a tea party and a tractor ride...gotta love it!

Ava and Isaac's Tea Party

Isaac drinking his tea...with perfect form I might add!

Sip, Sip, Sip

On the tractor...

and loving it!!!

They took turns driving and both did a great job. It was encouraging to see how well they did sharing the responsibility of driving!

Hairclips and Hairstyles

Ava was supposed to be cleaning something up yesterday when she got a little too quiet. When I saw her this is what I found...she had not in fact been cleaning, but instead styling her hair with her new Elmo and Zoe hairclips. She had managed to get six little snap clips into her hair all by herself. She was so proud of her new hairclips and her new hairstyle. It was difficult to bring myself to have to take them out. Isn't she cute?

8 Months Old

You hear everyone say that "time flies" when you have kids and that they grow so fast. It stands true...our little Emet is growing and changing daily. On January 4, he turned 8 months old. He is a joy and we love him so much. We are blessed beyond measure and thankful for our precious son!

Lake Lure

We spent the week after Christmas with Jon's family in Lake Lure. We had a nice house on the golf course! The guys enjoyed golfing several days and enjoyed the convenience of being so close to the course. It was good to be with family and enjoy time together!

Jon, Jeremy and Don on the golf course.

Nana and Papa brought gifts...Emet was opening his!

Ava enjoyed Kolson's camera as much as anything...she may get one for her birthday!

This is the Little People House Ava got from Nana and Papa.

Ava with Kaleb at Chimney Rock

The Family...and a view from the bottom of Chimney Rock

Nana, Papa and all the grandkids!

Me and Jon with our kiddos on top of Chimney Rock

The View

Me and my precious little ones!

We celebrated Bryn's 2nd Birthday! Happy Birthday Bryn!

Happy New Year Everyone!

(This picture was taken well before midnight.)

This picture was taken right before midnight...kids in bed and tired parents!

We did enjoy a fun night of games while we waited for the New Year!

Allyson brought dress up clothes for the kids. Ava enjoyed being Jasmine and dancing in the "show" that the kids and Amy put on for us!