Tiny Bikini, Chubby Baby!!!

We hung out at the pool with my family one day and while we forgot our camera, I did manage to grab a few from my parents just to share the joy of Avery in a bathing suit!  Needless to say, her weight gain is not a concern at this point.  

You looking at me?!?

BANANA!!!  More please!

Xander could have lived in this little swimming pool!

An Exciting Visit!

My parents came out for a couple of hours yesterday to show off their new car and visit with the grandkids (as well as other family)!  The excitement was enough to make Xander skip his nap (for the second day in a row...yes, I'm a little concerned) but he handles the lack of sleep well and goes to bed earlier, so what do you do!

Pat-a-Cake was pretty thrilling to Avery!  She went between beaming at Grandma to looking at her hands like they were just the most amazing things ever!

Then Grandma had a water break and Avery thought that sounded like a pretty good plan!  I wish I caught a picture of the shock every time the cold water hit her mouth, but this is all I got....probably because every time I took a picture Avery was totally distracted by the camera!

The Face-off!!!!

Let the games begin!  More hockey pictures I know, but its really the main attraction right now!  Grandpa was a good sport though and played for a LONG time!

Hockey! Hockey! Hockey!

Hockey is a big thing in our house these days!  Common things to hear Xander saying would be "Lets play hockey, Mommy...no Daddy play hockey!"  "He shoots, he scores!"  Mixed into the usual sayings are commentary on how Xander skates and slides and how Mommy needs to stand up to play, sitting or kneeling are not appropriate hockey stances!  Its fun....anyone want to come over and play for a bit...we could take turns!  

These pictures were taken in our driveway one day after a walk.  This was quite novel being out in the snow to play hockey!

This is how Avery came home from the walk...and proceeded to sleep in the entrance for a couple of hours!  Very Nice!  Unfortunately, this is not a guarantee...we tried again a couple days later to see if we could get a good nap out of her, but it was a no go!

We actually caught Xander looking at the camera mid-shot!

Xander and Daddy still smiling at the end of a big game!  I do love my boys!!!

Bath Time

It has been a refreshing stage to see Avery and Xander in the bath together with very little assistance on my part!  Now that Avery can sit on her own, its given bath time a whole new lease on life!  She still needs a little spotting, but all in all we are becoming more and more independent all the time!  So here are a few shots that both Avery and Xander may or may not look back on later and appreciate their public display, but I think are cute anyways.  

I think we were in the bath for an hour and a half and Xander really did little else but pour water from one cup or container to the other and back again!  He is a focused little guy!

This is the one cup Xander would give up for Avery to chew on...she had some other toys, but this is a favorite!

As is the case with most younger siblings, Avery totally looks up to Xander and watches his every move!  The scary thing is that eventually Xander will come to realize the power he has over Avery and start using it to his advantage! (Yes, Dustin, I'm thinking about you!)

I just think this is a cute shot and Avery has been a little sick lately, so every smile has become that much more rare and special these days!

The Ridge II

Last weekend we went on an overnight adventure with Dustin, Julia, Eli and Jonah to Julia's parents property in the bush!  We had a fabulous day sledding, playing games, eating and hanging out.  Unfortunately, I can't say the same for our night, but what can you expect with four kids under three in an unfamiliar place.  Despite threats of getting kicked out, we made it through and appreciated the time away!  So, thanks guys for letting us stay even though our kids kept waking your kids up!  Avery was with us even though it turns out we didn't take any pictures of her....sorry Avery!

I love those rosy cheeks!

Eli...could you be having any more fun out there?!?

There was tackling!

There was the throwing of snow!  Fun was had by all!

Eli was the life of the party!

The Ridge

Xander was a little more uncertain about the whole sledding thing!

We eventually moved to a hill with less trees in the way!  Eli would sled anywhere...he loved it!

Xander hanging out with Daddy and watching the fire...both are equally mesmerized!

Jonah trying out the bumbo chair...just needed a little cereal box behind him to keep his head up!  

Jonah is just working the camera