"I Love You"

Ava goofing off with Grandma Nora's glasses

The sweetest three words I've ever heard. Yes, I heard them from Ava!!! Most children Ava's age (she will be 5 in May) have been saying these three words for several years. Ava has verbal apraxia and has not said more than one word at a time until this past week. She is so proud of herself and so are we. Ava, we love YOU!

Snow Day

This past Saturday Peter and I were in the car together and he mentioned something about the radio saying there would be snow tomorrow. I told him that I didn't hear what was said, but they were probably talking about somewhere else...it was in the 60's on Saturday. Well obviously, he heard correctly...

Ava loving the snow

Mom going for the weak

Peter throwing a snowball at mom

Daddy and Ben building Bob

Ben, Bob, and Daddy

The next day the kids had the day off from school because of the snow. Ben was prepared for the arctic winds (It was in the 40's with the sun shining). Ava snuck out with him with no jacket, one of my gloves, and a pair of my socks with my crocks. She loves to be outside and she loves the snow. Peter was outside for maybe 10 minutes. One of Peter's quotes is that he likes winter because you don't have to go outside.

Fun with Josie

Jessica and Josie came and spent the week with us last week. We had a lot of fun visiting. The kids really had a good time with Josie and were sad to see her go.

Ava and Josie were holding hands on the way to the American Girl store

Ava loved the American Girl store...she took out the doll that was in this stroller so she could push her doll around. I didn't think we were going to be able to make it out of there without the double stroller.


Ava feeding "Lilly" some noodles

Josie feeding "Itty Bitty" some celery


Atlanta Zoo

The girls checking out the flamingos

Peter posing with Josie

Pinewood Derby

Ben with his 2nd place trophy

We had our cub scout Pinewood Derby today and as you can see Ben won second place. Ben and Derek worked hard the last couple of weeks cutting, sanding and coming up with an idea for his car. Ben's car was called the "death squad" . Peter, Ava and I did not go but I did text Derek when I thought they should be done and he said that Ben did ok. Ben didn't want Derek to tell me about his trophy. When he came in, he walked into the living room with the biggest grin on his face and the trophy in his hand. He was so excited that he won.

The Death Squad

Off to the race

Ben and his friend, Jason

GO!

Merry Christmas, Happy Chinese New year, and Happy Birthday!

I wrote this about a week ago and was waiting to get my video to upload before I posted it. Well, that hasn't worked so here it is!


It has been a long time again since I have posted. But here are some photos of the past month. I have a few photos of Christmas. For some reason, we didn't really take a lot on Christmas morning, but we did do some video. We went to Derek's parent's house Christmas day and then we went to Gulf Shores to visit my family the day after Christmas. We were at the beach for about 10 days. As usual, I wanted to pack up everything and move to Gulf Shores after our visit! We are going to have to find a way to get Chapman Drugs down there!! The kids are at such a fun age to celebrate Christmas. It was a lot of fun this year.

Gross boy tidbit: Ben said today that he wished his nose was a cave and he could pick out the stalagtites and the stalagmites ! Are all boys this gross???

The kids ready to go downstairs to see what Santa brought

Ava admiring her new blowdryer

The boys sitting in their new chairs and showing off some new "stuff"

Ava enjoying grandmama's Christmas cinnamon rolls

The weather was great!

Ben loves to chase the birds

Peter didn't bother going where the water was shallow to get to the sand bar

I love his happy face in the picture

The boys love the beach

The start of our massage train

Is Ben going to join us?

Fun at the condo


Happy Chinese New Year

Jonathan and Susan came over with their girls so we could celebrate Chinese New Year. We made dumplings, decorated with paper lanterns and dressed the kids up. We had a lot of fun. We were not very successful in getting a group picture.

Ava checks out Eleanor

Ava checking on LilyKate

Oh well...not looking good

Happy Birthday Ted, Lee, Derek and Christa

The birthday group

Daddy and his little girl

Lee opening his exciting birthday presents

Ted with his Georgia shirt and black and red gift bag

Ava helping Christa with her presents

My boys

The wild party crew...I didn't get the one of them dancing on the tables.

Ted, Jaime (with baby Tripp) and Terry



Awards Day at St. Johns

Peter got the responsibility award this semester at school. We are so proud of him. Ben was upset that he didn't get an award also. I told him that next year he will be eligible for honor roll and Principle's list since it is the first year he will get "real" grades. They also get acknowledged on awards day. Maybe this will motivate him to keep doing well in school.

Peter receiving his award from Ms. Vogtner

Peter and the other kindergarten award winners

All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

Peter lost one if his front teeth a couple of weeks ago, the same night his magical elf came. He lost his other front tooth last night, so he had a visit from both Santa and the tooth fairy. He likes for his magical creatures to come in pairs. I will post more about Christmas later. The kids are having one of the best Christmases. They are having so much fun! Merry Christmas everyone!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I know we are going to have a great Christmas. The kids are SO excited. Peter can hardly stand it. He woke up this morning and said that he wishes we were in China so we would be going to bed soon. Ben is also trying to figure out how to make the time go by quickly. We have to go get a ham for work and a few other errands and Derek will be home early today. I have everything that I need for Christmas! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!