Oh Dear!

Averi: Mom, I want a baby sister

Me: That's not going to happen Sweetie. I can't have another baby.

Averi: That's okay, I'll have the baby

Me: Do you know where babies come from?

Averi: Yeah, we grow them in a pot

That kid says the funniest things :)

Christmas 2010

This was another 1st Christmas in our house. Too bad Brad was sleeping while the rest of us opened presents.
Rick and Carolyn came down for the festivities on Christmas eve and after tracking Santa all day on the 24th through NORAD, I thought Averi was going to burst with excitement. This is the first year she has really understood that she gets presents on Christmas, AND BOY DID SHE GETS PRESENTS! Chad and had bought the kids a train table for xmas a few months ago but had been using it as a coffee table as you just can't hide something like that. The train pieces were hidden in the basement and Averi was clueless.




Brad awoke in the morning after all the presents had been opened and just played with the ribbons and the paper. Averi played with his toys. After that we all had a nice brunch and the turkey was thrown in the oven. Jim and Matt joined us for afternoon festivities and fun was had by all. Christmas 2010 is now over but it was sure fun while it lasted.

Austin joined us for a few days after Christmas and him and I had a blast. Who knew that Auntie Ali could be considered cool? Turns out that through the eyes of a 6 year old, cool is knowing how to play Mario on Nintendo :)

The big reveal

So I had posted about the present I made for Carolyn. I had ordered one off Etsy for her and it just didn't show up in time for Christmas (in fact, it hasn't shown up yet.) I decided to make something else just in case and I'm glad I did.

I made coasters of all Carolyn's grandkids. I didn't have many pictures of Austin but I stole a couple off Facebook and made these. They were not hard to do but I have never used Mod Podge before and the bristles kept falling out of my brush. I will use the sponge brushes next time. I was a little worried when I put the first coat on that I was just ruining some really good pictures but as they started to dry I was getting more and more excited.
Thay turned out just like I hoped and Carolyn loved them. Now to figure out what to attempt next.

Christmas

I am SOOOOOO excited. I made a Christmas present for Carolyn and am excited to see what she thinks of it. I learned what to do on a blog and will share what it is after she sees it. I can't wait so stay posted!!

Mexico 2010

So many know that Brad and I were in Mexico with Neile in September, but him and I got to go again last week, this time with Chad and Averi. On the 14th we left the bitter cold of Calgary for the sunny beaches of Manzanillo, Mexico.

The flight was uneventful and we were very excited to reach the hotel and hit the pool. With a kiddy pool alongside the adult pool it was great for Averi to splash around all week and go from one pool to the next. Always with her Strawberry Daiquiri (Virgin of course) in hand. Always the social butterfly, Averi had no problem making friends, young and old, who wanted to swim and play in the sand with her. I learned a very early lesson about when to say no to Averi and when there is no harm in letting her be like her friends. She came home with braids in her hair, a butterfly tattoo on her arm, and a huge smile on her face. Good, cheap fun made her very happy :) Chad and I had some fun meeting people of our own. One of those people was Shauna from Calgary. We hit it off right away and made many memories during the week.

Chad and I set sail on a sunset cruise
after getting a sitter for the kids, and later in the week we all ventured off into the waters again for a snorkeling adventure. The water was murky due to a red tide and the snorkeling wasn't great, but getting to hold a puffer fish and spider starfish was pretty neat.

The food at the resort was not the greatest but a few times we ventured from the hotel into Santiago for meals. Some wonderful meals were found at little restaurants on the side of the road and sometimes we even had escorts to do the ordering for us.

Brad had a rough go this week with several new teeth making an appearance. He had a fever we battled for a few days, but once he got through the worst, he was a real trooper. The pool was a favorite spot for him when he wasn't sleeping, and even sometimes when he was ;)

It was a wonderful holiday for the family and we definitely want to try and make this a yearly event.

out of Averi's mouth

Averi is so innocent and sooooo funny.

Averi: We went shopping today mom

Me: did you have fun shopping with dad?

Averi: yeah, we got you a present...a sweater

Me: ROFL...So Chad, you got me a sweater for christmas?

Chad: Averi, tell mom your joking

Averi: I joking you mom, get out of town :)