Another Year Is Gone

Another birthday has come and gone and I still seem to LOVE birthdays! Unfortunately Dave was gone for three weeks and missed my birthday. It seems to happen more years than it doesn't! He didn't let the chance go by to take me out to celebrate. He arranged for my mom to come babysit and took me to the Melting Pot! It's my absolute favorite place to go. It meant a lot since Dave doesn't really like that place or the price... we managed to get a sweet military discount. I went out to some amazing Thai food downtown to celebrate with some girl friends. We stayed until the restaurant closed and it was nice to have a night out. My parents always pull together a wonderful birthday celebration. My mom and I took the girls to the Newport Aquarium and it was amazing! We spent the whole afternoon there and Addison and Avery loved it. My dad made me a huge batch of my favorite breakfast.We went out to dinner at Carraba's and the girl's helped my mom make a yummy carrot cake. I was then ultimately spoiled and got to fly to Dallas on my birthday to see Katie for a few days. It was just what I needed and I forgot what it was like to enjoy some time alone and out on the town. We went to the movies, got out nails done, went to a fancy birthday dinner (I got a big steak!), we cooked, napped and shopped. It was perfect and I loved seeing where Katie lives. My parents kept the girls happy, healthy and fed while I was gone. I got home on a Saturday and Dave somehow talked me into jumping on a plane that Monday to see him. His schedule was slowing down and he had a couple days off. We stayed in a nice hotel in downtown Baltimore and enjoyed eating at new places. It was freezing there and we had to walk a lot! It felt like a second honeymoon and I'm so glad I went. More importantly I'm grateful that my parents were willing to take the girls again. When I got back I almost felt like I didn't know how to take care of my own kids!

Personalities

These two ladies in our lives have such personality. Addison is at such a fun age...most of the time:) She loves to comb her ponies hair and take care of her babies. She even asked if Grammie could watch her babies for her when we go down there. It made me smile and it reminded me of myself. Addison fills her shopping cart packed with as many things as she can and then carts it around all day. Avery usually gets in there and toddles behind it as well. Addison is learning to share and help "watch" Avery for me. When I shower Addison plays legos or reads books to keep Avery from drinking and playing in the toilet water. Every day Addison requests an Elsa braid for her hair. She loves to put it over her shoulder and sing all the songs. We were lucky enough to sneak in a nice day at the park last week while visiting my parents. Addison has gotten so strong and can hold herself on the monkey bars. We're working on pumping her legs to swing. Addison pretty much lives off of bread and cheese. I don't know how she has so much energy when she eats like a bird! Addison has a heart of gold and loves when her daddy is home to make his pancakes for her:) 

Avery has taken off WALKING! It started about a week ago and she is pretty much walking all the time now. I love watching the beginning phases of when they realize they can go faster by walking. She has a lot more bruises on her forehead, but she is loving the new freedom. Along with walking she is also climbing up the stairs. It's really helpful to not have to carry her up every time now. I don't worry about tripping as much now not carrying her. Avery has developed a short temper at meal times! The girl wants her food and she wants it fast. She will literally shove the entire plate in her mouth in one giant fistful. We like to call her hippo teeth because her top teeth are so far apart. Its really cute and funny when she does a big cheese grin. Avery is starting to carry purses over one shoulder. She packs small things in it and drags it around the house. Changing her diaper is a NIGHTMARE. She still screams, twists and turns until I basically have the diaper on crooked. Every morning when I open the blinds Avery takes her pointer finger and goes "OOOHHH" and looks for the horses. She loves to stand at the back door and watch them. Her favorite thing to do is to throw her food over the edge of her highchair and say, "Uh, OH". Its more of a really long "Uhhhh". It drives me nuts and she is fast at it! Her hair is starting to come in more in the back, not fast enough on top to do a little pinny tail. Avery loves to stick her finger in Addison's belly button in the bath tub. It makes Addison laugh so hard I love it. Avery will take a wash cloth and try and scrub Addison and it tickles her. They are starting to play together and I love it! These two girls are my pals and I love watching them develop differently and learn and grown together!

Smash the Cake

Avery had the privileged of getting her own Smash the Cake photo shoot a couple of weeks ago! I love how they turned out. Poor Saundra who took them had to work around Avery's cranky mood. She wasn't so sure about all the balloons and frosting everywhere. She cried the last half of the session, but she was about to capture some really nice ones. Avery's brown eyes make me melt! We love our little brown eyed baby! 

Halloween Festivities

I love fall and everything that goes along with it. We have been spending our weekends enjoying the last bit of nice weather and getting into the spirit of Halloween. We went to Shaw Farm to pick out our family pumpkin and my mom was able to go with us. I've been going to this farm for years! I loved taking Dave and the girls there. We went on a hayride and enjoyed running around the farm. For playgroup I set up a private hayride to a pumpkin patch. It was the bumpiest hayride I've ever been on! Addison won't let go of my leg and Avery held on for dear life. The hayride ended with a giant pumpkin cookie that Avery was on cloud nine with. We went to a Halloween fun night at Kroger this week that was fantastic. They had a bunch of different stations and activities at one. Last night was our ward's trunk or treat night. Dave had to work at the last minute, but the girls and I had a good time. Avery ate more food than all of us combined. I'm not sure where she puts it all! Addison was dressed up as a flight attendant and Avery was a cute little pumpkin princess. We can't wait to go trick or treating this weekend! Addison is working really hard on saying, "Trick or Treat and Thank you!" My parents came up for dinner tonight and we carved pumpkins. It was a lot of fun and Addison requested a princess tower. Daddy did a great job!

For playgroup another mom and I put together a fun Halloween party for the kids. I read a scary story and sang some songs. We made spider peanut butter and jellies and had candy corn fruit cups. Addison chose to wear a tiger tail and ears this time. Addison and Avery got a very fun Halloween package in the mail from Grandma Michael. They loved the light up star wands and of course the cotton candy. The actual day of Halloween we met some friends for lunch at chick fila and then went over to a friends for dinner and trick or treating. It was freezing and raining on and off all night. We went out for about 30 minutes and came home frozen. Avery stayed back and played with the other little kids her age:) Addison has decided that whoopers are her favorite candy these days. We had a great month of October and getting into the holiday spirit!

Disney On Ice

I had to step up my game as a Mom around here! Addison LOVES to go to Field and Stream with her dad. So much that she talks about it to everyone. I'll pick her up from nursery and her teacher will tell me that she talked and talked about her favorite store to go to which is, Field and Stream! What is happening to my sweet little princess?! Dave took Addison to go set up some things for hunting this season and they came home both decked out in camo. Addison now wants to wear it all the time. I finally hid it in the top drawer where she can't be reminded of it! I saw a billboard that Disney on Ice was coming to the Nutter Center. It was the princess and heros version and it ended with an entire Frozen act. I bought tickets and waited to surprise Addi till the morning of. My mom came up and we all went together. Addi got to pick out a new Elsa dress...which she now has worn 3 days in a row. My mission was accomplished with trying to take out the camo :)