Ava's Christmas Program

Ava had her annual Christmas program at school. Daddy took off work and both Grandmoms drove from Northern Virginia to hear their girl sing. I read about a scientific study awhile ago that said one of the most undesirable sounds to the human ear is children singing. Normally, I agree and there is only so much I can take of our children's sing along CDs that I put on in the car (only during road trip emergencies). However, it is the most heart warming sound hearing your sweet little girl singing out of tune with a giant toothy smile on her face. They worked hard for several months learning several Christmas songs with hand motions to match them. There wasn't a dry eye in the house when they sang Silent Night with candle props and a live Nativity scene. It really brought the true joy of Christmas to our house. Great work Ava!

 Ava's cheering section

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of her sissy

 There she is!

 Right in the front row!

 Great group of 4 year olds

 Favorite picture from the program

 singing Silent Night

 Nanny boosting Ellie up so that she can see

 Ellie loved bouncing between 4 laps through the program

 Gigi chasing after Ellie when Ellie tried to go up and join her sister on stage

Caught her!

 So blessed to have two supportive Grandmas that will travel so far just for a Christmas program!

Bring on the Christmas Cheer

Despite our property manager's advice, we have decided to decorate our house for Christmas this year. We are showing our house right now for potential renters and we decided not to be Scrooges. The decorations are only going to be up for 2 weeks but we figured it would be worth it to bring some holiday cheer to a stressful moving time. 

Miss Ava was full of holiday spirit and woke up with an abundance of energy to decorate.

 Ellie was more of the Scrooge who was tired of going to time out for breaking ornaments

 Helping Daddy set up the tree

 Santa Penny Lane!

 What a good sport Penny is.  She puts up with so much "aggressive love" that the girls like to give her.

 Striking a pose with their stocking, trees, and Santa. This is the first year they are really interested in Santa and don't think that he is just a home invader.

 Daddy frustrated with the lights still keeping up his Christmas Cheer

 Continuing a Valdez tradition of flowers on the tree

 Time out for the 5th ornament causaulty 

 Decorating their mini trees

 Ellie is so funny and likes to put all her ornaments on one or two branches.

 Ready to start our holiday baking

 The girls have been hanging out with Aunt Jen enough to inherit her love of crafts. As a reward one day we went to AC Moore and stalked up on fun Christmas crafts.

 Ava making a Christmas tree ornament for her tree

 Ellie making a Santa ornament

 The next day was painting Frosty masks

 Linoleum floors are the absolute best for preschoolers because EVERYTHING comes off them including paint!

 Kind of gothic but creative Frosty

Mardi Gras theme Frosty

Many reasons to be thankful.

Thanksgiving had a great feel this year. Last year Greg was deployed and Eric was in Florida. Their absence left a noticeable gap at the dinner table on Thanksgiving day. This year we were so thankful to have everyone in attendance. We did a triple Thanksgiving this year and went to the Valdez house, Bob's house, and the Hanson house. As always, we enjoyed the big family dynamic at the Valdez house.  It was especially cheery at the Might house because it was the first time that both Bob and Mom's children and grandchildren had all come together at once for Thanksgiving. Mom will be moving to Great Falls with Bob next year after their wedding. It was also very joyous to be at the Hanson house as well because my dad's fiance Sandy and her daughter Valerie were able to celebrate with us for the first time. They are planning a wedding in early March of 2012. Sadly, my camera battery was not charged at the Might Thanksgiving and I am waiting for Mom to send me the pictures (feel free to harass her). We were utterly exhausted by the end of the weekend but it was worth it to see all our family. 

 Ava dressed up like a Turkey (the things on her head are the turkey legs)

 Our little pilgrim excited to see her Grandparents!

 They were both Aunt Jess' shadow that weekend. The girls adorable outfits are courtesy of Jess too.

 Hanging out with Great Grandma Bath

 Nanny decorated the table beautifully for the big group!

 Valdez Group shot!

 This is why we call Uncle Justin, "White Chocolate"

 Aunt Jess and I continued our annual tradition of Black Friday battling. Greg even faced the crowd with Eric this year scoring lots of loot at Target

 Dessert time celebrating Aunt Jess' birthday!

A really neat part of this year at the Hanson house was that there was an older male deer hanging out in their back yard. Unfortunately this picture does not do it justice, but the deer had about 8 points on each  antler. He hung out in the yard the entire time we were over for dinner. Definitely a neat experience. 

 The girls always have a great time playing and experimenting with all the neat instruments at the Hanson house. 

 Ava "harmonizing" with Poppy on the piano

 Daddy even gives it a go!

 Cousin Eric is always a good playmate. Here the girls can reach the ceiling!

The neat presents that Aunt Ellen and Uncle Bill brought back for us from their recent trip to India. We had a wonderful time with all our families and are looking forward to one final visit at Christmas time before our big move out West.