Christmas 2008

We have had such a busy holiday this year - and a ton of pictures to prove it!

It started with Avery's Christmas program at Children of The Woodlands:

Here is Avery with her very favorite teacher, Ms. Fran.

The Minnow class anxiously awaiting Christmas carols...

Avery trying to catch snow on her toungue...

I was able to leave my class for a while - Avery was so excited to see us there.

Then there was our 4th Annual Cookie Baking event with Madison, Avery, G.G. and I. Every year we make gingerbread cookies to take to our various get-togethers. They are sooo yummy!
Here are the bakers, hard at work:

My two cutie pies. Oh yes, this year we all had matching monogrammed aprons. Even Kate has one ready for her for next year :-)

I don't even want to know how much cookie dough this one ate...

Oh, yes...then there was Santa. This was the closest I could get Avery to Santa this year (yes, that's him in the blurry background...far, far away). She talked about him a ton, but when it came time to see him....oh no. She didn't want to be anywhere near him.

So we had Christmas with my Dad at Aunt Missy's house. Avery with her cousin CJ:

Santa made a visit there, too. But Avery still wanted nothing to do with him:

But mom had lots to tell Santa:

And the traditional group shot of the fam:

We also had our Christmas celebration with the Whites and Brackendorffs. Here is Avery with her Grandpappy...

Avery's giving Uncle Chad a lesson in using the Poingo pen.

We had a fun family night the day before Christmas Eve. We went to dinner and then to see Despero at the movies! Avery had a blast. We walked by the Fountains at Waterway Square to see the holiday water and lights. Now you see Avery talking a big game about old Santa!

Avery was in heaven with her cup of popcorn.

Avery and her doll, Brie, had matching dresses for Christmas Eve:

Avery and Madison on Christmas Eve:

Christmas morning, Avery found the trampoline Santa left for her.

As you can imagine, Avery got a ton of great gifts and clothes this year. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family to share the season with. Hope you enjoyed seeing some of the photos that made our Christmas such a memorable one.

Happy New Year!

Avery's Thanksgiving Feast

Avery's class had a Thanksgiving Feast on Monday - it was so cute! Luckily I was able to leave my classroom and be there for a little while. They all sat at a little table (they made the centerpieces at school the week before) and prayed and had a yummy lunch with their friends.

Here are some pictures from the big day:

The class walking into the room - Avery was so surprised to see me standing in there.

Here they are praying before the meal.

And chowing down on chicken nuggets and fruit salad!

The two other girls in Avery's class - twins Lily and Sara

Avery's friend Caleb and his big brother.

Avery's going to have a little...

Well, you couldn't tell it from the ultrasound, but we found out last week that we are having another little girl!

Face (yes a little alien-like right now)

Little leg

Avery will be so excited to have a little sister...I can see the fights over clothes and makeup now.



Everything else seems to be great. My sequential screening (which checks for brith defects and Down Syndrome) came back normal with very low odds. And baby is measuring just a few days older than my doctor's dates (but due date is still April 18th).

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We're looking forward to our new addition next spring!

Fall Fun!

We have already been off to a busy fall season!

Last month we went to San Antonio to celebrate my dad's wedding. He and his wife, Nancy, had a private ceremony at their church in Castroville, then hosted an incredible party/reception at their house. It was so much fun and so nice to see all the family members together. I'm sure they are still recovering from a busy wedding planning season! We are so happy for both of them and wish them many years of love and happiness!

The kids threw rose petals at the altar before the ceremony began

The happy couple!

Nancy and Grandma Danek

What a happy groom!

Perfect weather made for a beautiful reception

The church had a great pumpkin patch for the kids to play in

Later, we visited the Christ Church pumpkin patch....

and Avery had a ton of fun at our playgroup's Halloween party (we could only get two of the kiddos on the hay for a picture)...

and she had a blast trick-or-treating on Halloween night. She would just barely mumble "trick-or-treat", but then her face lit up when she saw the bowl of candy to choose from.

In other news....

My pregnancy is progressing along great. I'm finally starting to have more energy and the nausea seems to be just about gone. I have told my school director that December 19th will be my last day of work so that I can concentrate on getting ready for the baby and spending time with Avery before her little brother or sister arrives.

I was able to talk my doctor into doing my "anatomy screen" at 17 and-a-half weeks (November 11) instead of the usual 20 weeks (which would have been the first of December!). So, we should know the sex of the baby very soon! I just can't wait to find out what it is.

Thanks for checking in and hearing about our fun fall activities! Stay tuned for more info....

-Jenny

Avery's Second Birthday

Avery had such a great time at her 2nd birthday party. It's hard to believe that's she's already two years old. Everyone warned me how fast the time would fly, but I had no idea just how quickly the years would race by!

Avery's friends came to Gymboree to celebrate her birthday along with Graham's. There was lots of climbing, sliding, a visit from Jimbo the clown, and cupcakes!

Wheee!!

Mom, I can do it by myself!

Piper

Hudson



Peek-a-boo!

Wow...bubbles!

So much fun!

Graham had a great time, too!

Say cheese!

Yummy cupcakes

Here is Avery with her cake at home. She really got into singing "Happy Birthday" to herself by the end of the weekend.

The messier, the better!