Happy Holidays!

We took the kids to the Santa Train in Oblong last Sunday. The train pulls up & Santa & a variety of different characters are on board. The characters greet all the kids while you wait in line to get on to see Santa. We waited about 45 minutes. It is really neat except it was very cold. I'm sure kids who love trains would really like it.

Daddy & Ben waiting for the train to arrive.

This was Ava's face after the train pulled up and she saw all the characters. Needless to say she didn't like them. I thought her look was priceless.

Jeff loves this picture

Once again...no caption necessary to explain Ava's feeling about Santa.

How cute are these elves? Thanks for the Christmas outfits Mimmi. Too bad I had already sent off for my Christmas cards to be made. This pic is cuter than the one I used.

As always I apologize for not posting. I must admit I have kind of lost interest in making time to do it. Maybe I will get better but I doubt it.

Halloween

The kids were pirates for Halloween. I guess to be accurate Ava said she was a Pirate Princess. They were so cute. Mimmie (Jeff's Mom) made their costumes again this year. She does an awesome job! Thanks so much Mimmie. Sadly enough though we did very little trick or treating. We only made it to 3 houses because it is really exhausting and the weather was horrible. They also got to go to some houses in Southern Illinois when they were there visiting.

This is how Trick or Treating made me feel.

This is an old picture from when Mimmie took Ava to Build a Bear.

Kids Pictures

At the beginning of October, we went to the pumpkin patch in Johnson City with Mimmie. Jeff's cousin, Amy, came and took some adorable pictures of the kids. Check it out on her PF Photography Blog. She does a great job. Thanks so much Amy!

Time with friends

Lindsey and I haven't seen each other in what seems like decades so we were in serious need of some friend bonding time. She brought the kids over today and we visited & they played. It was a wonderful time.

Ben & Wyatt (or as Ava calls him "Pyatt") posing.

Wyatt swinging

Ava with her Happy Meal

Just as Lindsey & I were discussing that sometimes we feel we have no control, our daughters had taken their pants off & were stomping in the sand & water table & throwing sand. I guess they wanted to prove our point.

Wyatt sitting up so big

Horrible at posting

Sorry I have slacked so much. My computer at home is so slow and that is the last thing I want to take time to do of an evening. Things are going well. Both kids are doing great. Ava has got into the routine of daycare again so that is going good. Ben is of course growing like a weed. He weighs 18 lbs 8 oz now. He ate baby food for the the 1st time Sunday. Green Beans - he loved them. He ate the entire container - and it wasn't the smallest container either. Here are a bunch of random pics.

Green beans for everyone. Ben's were a little different consistency than Ava's.

Ava & Alli had a slumber party last Friday. Jeff built a fire so we could roast hot dogs and marshmallows.

Ben 1st fire at our fire pit.

The daycare took all the kids in the Homecoming parade. I rode the football/cheer float but posed for a pic with Alli & Ava.

Ben looks enormous in this picture. I really don't think he is as big as he looks here. I kept telling them at daycare that he hates a stroller. Of course, he made a liar of me & loved their strollers.

1st Week

I have enjoyed being back at work this week but it has been a trying week. Ava cries when I drop her off and school & when I pick her up. She cries a lot of an evening about anything that doesn't go her way. Basically she is really tired and wants to be in control of everything. Anyway...I'm sure things will get better as she gets used to a routine again. Ben is doing great. He has been sleeping relatively well at night - getting up once for sure sometimes twice but eats and goes right back to sleep.

Here are some pictures from playing outside last weekend that I never got time to post.

Ben's 1st time in the swing. Ava wasn't so sure about this because she LOVES her swing. Might have to get another baby swing.

She decided this was more fun than swinging (a little more work for dad though). Her hair cracked me up in this picture.

1st Day Back

The first day back to school was today. It went great. I was looking forward to going back even though I know I will miss the kids. I had been kind of worried about Ava but she was so excited. She couldn't wait to get there and see her friends and Miss Jamie. We talked about Miss Jamie being the boss and that she had to listen to her. Shockingly enough Ava agreed - she usually thinks she is the boss. When I came to get the kids today Ava did not want to leave. Kids are so funny. Of course, Ben did fine too. He didn't have much to say about it though. Here is a pic from this morning before we left.