november/december 2010

I've finally finished up all the Christmas madness (for a few days)... so now its time to catch up this blog before we head (as Porter would say over the river and through to woods) to grandma and grandpas house (he's VERY excited).

In November we went to the zoo to see the koalas at the Phoenix zoo... kind of a let down... they sleep ALL day! The kids still had fun as they always do:

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Then November turned into a busy month for us... we celebrated our 5th Wedding Anniversary on the 12th. Grandpa and Grandma Cox came and watched our kids while we went to Sedona for a couple days. It was beautiful and a good break for us and the kids LOVED being with their grandparents.

The a week later we celebrated my 30th Birthday, I'd like to say I don't feel that old, but with pregnancy fatigue and morning/all day sickness I feel really old and tired and it shows.

Then for Thanksgiving we headed up to Lakeside to be with the Cox side of the family. We announced that after 5 years we are becoming a family of 5 (plus Sadie and Dorothy- the dog and fish) in June (due the 17th). Hopefully in mid January we'll know what 'kind' of baby will join our family w/ its cooperation of course.

We woke up to beautiful snow on Thanksgiving day and had a good meal. Justin helped Avery get going with a little morning 'juice.' Porter played in the snow with no snow clothes... Avery wanted nothing to do with this cold stuff, she just wanted to go inside.

Porter and Avery helped grandma make popcorn

(Joyce hates this picture, but its the only one I have, sorry!)

Porter and Avery loved playing with their cousins and got lots of rides from their cousin Jada on the scooters around the house... and it wouldn't be a trip to grandpas without a spin the pink jeep, if only Porter was a better driver it wouldn't be so terrifying

Bryce took the priests to the new temple sight in Gilbert. They will hopefully go regularly so we can document the progress on the temple and hopefully remember the progress these boys make in their lives as well.

Porter's friend Byron had his 3rd birthday party at the park... the picture looks vaguely familiar to one taken on Porter's birthday 6 months ago. These boys are growing up WAY too fast.

Porter being a goofball before the Ward Christmas Party

sitting with Santa... not sure Porter 'gets' it still, but he was excited to get candy.

Our advent calendar= my attempt to bring Christ into our Christmas and a definite reality check of just how soon the day is coming.

Mesa temple lights and the wonderful light display across the street (very convenient)

Porter and Avery crashed the YW/YM activity to go caroling/see the lights on the lake... they loved it as always... Porter has started to not love just the young men, but he's pretty popular with the ladies as well.

Then we created a new tradition for the Anderson family... we happen to stop by last year when they were making sugar cookies... they were yummy and it was a family event in their home. So when Becky stopped by our house the beginning of December I asked her what day they would be doing that again... I don't like baking/frosting cookies for Christmas, but I know the kids would love it and her kids love my kids. A win win situation or a way to ease the guilt of not wanting to do cookies? She invited several families from the neighborhood over... it was LOTS of fun and we brought home plenty of sugar cookies. THANK YOU Anderson Family!

general silliness around our home

lots of sand box play lately... Avery tried to take her shirt off- guess this was good enough... Porter and his 'fire dog'

lots of fort building goes on when daddy is in charge... when mom gets up or comes back it usually gets put away.

Avery is following in her brother footsteps... she LOVES books...she will pull out her books a few at a time and struggle to get up into the rocking chair and sit and read every single book in her room... its adorable. I love this girl!

Porter convinced DAD, yes DAD to get out the play dough... he had LOTS of fun!

And lastly the videos:

Avery is loving Christmas this year... for days after putting up the Christmas tree she would gasp and say pretty every time she saw it... and she loved playing with the little nativity. Her true favorite though is the candy... she says it so cute its hard not to give it to her.

Porter dancing at the Ward Christmas Party... the kids loved the entertainment.

Kids singing with the snowman sled that their great grandma gifted them...
it's SO loud but they love it!

Not to ruin the surprise for my parents, but we've been practicing this song with Porter to sing on Christmas Eve... I didn't know that Avery had learned it to, she was singing even more before I got the camera (of course). She is one smart little girl... she sings along with lots of songs now, if she feels comfortable with who is listening.

Hope everyone has a good holiday season... we'll be enjoying San Diego this year (even if it is raining).