Fun with friends.

So the kids got to hang out with their best friends Lily, Kayla and Patterson yesterday. They had so much fun!
Sweet Kayla

 Patterson & Crissy.

 I had to hold Ava down for this picture. I don't know why she hates having her picture taken.

 All four kids looking out the window at all the birds at the bird feeder.

 Glimpse of their sweet faces from the outside.

The car is still a hit!

Alex's bday car is still a hit in the house. And, who has time to open the door to climb in? Just climb over the door. Funny little boy.

 Beep beep!

Christmas Part II

Here are a few more pictures I dug up from Christmas at my Mom's and Christmas Part III the next day from Pete's sister.

Sitting in his wagon.

 My attempt to get a decent picture with both kids looking at the camera failed miserably. Look at the look on Ava's face.

Still holding on tight to Buzz Lightyear.

 Have I mentioned that Alex is walking? Yep. He is walking all over the place.

 I love this picture!
Ava playing with the wrapping paper.

 Alex wearing his scarf and mittens from Aunt Eva.

 SNOW WHITE! IT'S SNOW WHITE MOMMY! That's what Ava yelled at me when she opened it.

 Thought he could get away with touching the ornaments.

 Feeding her baby doll juice.

 And now for some bananas. It's so cute - the baby talks when you give her juice and bananas!

 My sweet, sweet girl.



Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! We certainly did. It was so wonderful to see and experience Christmas through the kids eyes. Such a magical time!

I apologize in advance for the number of photos. Pete got me a new camera for Christmas so I went a little crazy taking pictures and playing around with my new toy.


Santa came!

 Ava's gifts from Santa.

 First look at everything.

 Buzz Lightyear! Wow!

 I love this - brother and sister side by side playing. So sweet.

 Blocks! They were (and still are) a hit with both of them!

 Watcha doing sister?

 Ohhhhh, Barbie Corvette?

 This is so cute. Ava stacked the blocks up into a castle as she called it.

 Destroyed by baby brother!

 Yum. Barbie feet are good! Poor child must be starving.

 Alex playing with his work bench.

 The big Buzz Lightyear doesn't fit in the car.

 Ava finally realizing there is stuff in their stockings.

 Momma, will you pleaaaaase put the camera down and make us some breakfast?!?

 Hello kitty headband.

 Brushing her hair with her new Cinderella brush.

 Alex got an Elmo cell phone.

 Ava trying to steal it from him. Notice all the chocolate around her mouth?

Merry Christmas!

Well, Christmas is almost here and we are all in the Christmas spirit! I took the kids to see Santa today and amazingly, not a single tear was shed! Earlier today the doorbell rang and Ava exclaimed "It's Santa! It's Santa. Mommy, Santa is here!" She is too funny. She really enjoys looking at all the Christmas decorations everyone has out in the neighborhood when we go for our walks. And, it's funny that I was initially worried about the kids being interested in pulling of the ornaments from the tree. When, I should have been more concerned about them trying to open the gifts! Ava loves looking at the wrapping paper and Alex loves to chew on the gifts. Sometimes I wonder if we had a child or a dog.  :)     

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas! I know we will! We have so much to be thankful for! Much love! Pete, Leslie, Ava and Alex.

Alex's First Birthday!

Well, I can't believe Alex is 1 year old! We had so much fun celebrating his birthday. Pete's Mom flew in from Florida and spent lots of time spoiling the kids. I can't believe how quickly the last year has gone by! Oh, and it's safe to say we have a walker! He has been taking 10 steps at a time and he is just so proud of himself when he's walking. He has the biggest grin on his face! I will have to try and get a good picture of him.

Ava helped me make monkey cupcakes. She loves helping me in the kitchen!

Alex just took some time to eat a snack and watch us make his cupcakes.

I just can't resist sneaking in a picture of his adorable toes!

Ava greeting Baby Zia.

Alex wearing Ava's Rapunzel wig...Oh my.

Wondering why he can't hang outside with Dad and the other guys. One day soon my sweet little boy.

Present time! Ava loved helping Alex open his gifts.

::sigh:: the car. I knew it would be a hit - for both of them! Ava immediately jumped in and Alex was like "hey, wait! I want in too!"

Hey! Sister! Get out of there!!!

For real. Let me in!

Ava trying to shove him out.

Finally!! Thankfully they share it very well. For now...

Smash cake time!

He wasted no time with hands. Just dove right in!! So cute!

Ava wanted nothing to do with a picture. So, here are the three of us...