December to Remember

 December was such a fun month in our house BUT

rushed by much too quickly!

 Little Ansley is not so little anymore and is rolling around everywhere...

Mommy doesn't know if she is ready for 2 mobile kiddos!

Avery and Ansley with Santa at the Ward Christmas party

Some of the CUTE little bakers I had in the kitchen with me this month

We made cupcakes and muddy buddies (aka Reindeer Food)- YUM!

One of the nights I was trying to keep the girls occupied while Joey was studying for one of his last finals...  (he must've taken a quick break)  

Joey surprised me (well kinda... I'm the hardest person to keep things from)  He told me back at the end of Nov. not to plan anything for Dec.18.  I really did try this time not to ruin his surprise until the radio advertised that TRANSIBERIAN ORCHESTRA was coming to Little Rock on that date!  I knew we were going:)  When we lived in Georgia I wanted to go see them so bad, but they always came on a Sunday.  The concert was INCREDIBLE and not long enough.  I definitely want to go again!

SO AWESOME!

More baking in the kitchen!
Avery and Joey melting chocolate for oreo truffles

The night of Christmas Eve

We read some Christmas stories including the birth of Jesus while Avery placed the pieces on our felt nativity

Then Santa stopped here!

Ansley on Christmas morning

She was loving the lights and wrapping paper! (the sound it makes and she accidentally ate a little bit- oops!)

Some Christmas Love

Avery was more than willing to help show Ansley how to open presents

Christmas continues to get better every year!

I love seeing my girls so HAPPY!

Avery out riding her bike Santa brought

& some of you might think this is a little crazy, but Avery is always wanting to go to "Daddy's lab."  So yes on Christmas Day while we had time we took the girls up to the lab to see what Daddy does.  Avery was very intrigued and Ansley was even a delight the whole time we were there.

A few other things December included:

Lots of Christmas Movie watching

Avery LOVED- The Polar Express (which she calls Chicken Express- let's you know how often we ate there in GA), How the Grinch Stole Christmas & Home Alone

Multiple Christmas Parties/ Gift Exchanges (with some ladies in the ward & Joey's lab)

& an AWESOME trip to TX that I hope to post soon!

More Avery Funnies

**Trying to get everything 2010 in before the New Year, hence all the posting as of late***

#1-  Being Grateful

(pic i had of Avery practicing with Dad for Santa's lap)

Precursor-- Avery has asked me lately why the bell ringers are standing outside stores we've been to.  I explained to her that there are some people who don't have anything and this a way we can help give to them.  Then I've really reiterated that we should be grateful for what we have and not always asking for more and more.  I think she may be catching on because--

A few nights ago I was leaving for a girls night and Ansley was crying.  I laughed and gave Joey a hard time saying, "see ya & have fun with that".  Joey quickly responds to me by joking back saying, "well if you're going to leave like this at least give me your boobs!"  (Ansley is not too fond of the bottle yet...)  Avery was standing nearby, overheard and quickly retorts, "No Dad you can't have mom's boobs!"  Avery then pats Joey on the chest while telling him, "you just need to be grateful for what you have Dad!"

(Avery & Isabelle watching the primary kids sing.  They are VERY excited for Primary)

#2-Daddy's Occupation

Avery had one of her buddies over the other day and this is a conversation I overheard while they were playing Doctor with her toy Dr. Kit-

Isabelle (as she is using the toy stethoscope to listen to Avery) :  Avery, did you know my Daddy is a Doctor?

Avery :  Oh, my Daddy is a Hottie.  That's what my mom says.

Yes, I about lost it...

Follow Up

4 1/2 month stats: 

Weight: 14 lbs 1 oz (25%)

Height:  25 1/2 in. (50%)

Head Circumference:  16 1/2 in.  (15%)

Ansley had her 'Follow Up' Appointment that the Dr's had scheduled for us from when we left ACH.

We met with the Developmental Therapist who evaluated her as to where she is in different developmental areas

Here are the results: 

Gross Motor Skills: 6 months

Fine Motor Skills: 5 months

Visual Perceptual: 6 months

Needless to say we left this appointment ALL smiles! 

She is such a delight and sweet addition to our home :)

We sure LOVE her!!!

Family Photo Shoot

Family Pics (Special thanks to Joey's Dad for doing these for us!)

 My top 3 favorites below

Miss Photogenic

 'Caught in the Act'

 

 

SISTERS 

The Bloopers:

 We were right next to a fountain and could not get the girls attention for anything...

& I tell Joey to make sure to keep his shoulders back and this is what I get:

The Girls

**Warning:   (Parental Guidance Suggested)  

I had all the laundry folded and put away- except my things on the corner of the bed.

I get out of the shower and look everywhere, I mean ALMOST everywhere for my bra, before giving up!

 This is where I EVENTUALLY found it...

Funny thing is she had the straps over the shirt but the actual cups were pushed under the shirt.

Nothing gets by her!

 

Us trying to wake her up (I'm thinking good blackmail pictures for the future...) ha ha ha ha

Our little Chatterbox as of late!
I love watching her day to day- her little personality has really come out within the past couple of weeks!

She loves it when we sing songs to her, lots of kisses and the crinkly sound the wipes package makes when she fiddles with it !

Georgia Thanksgiving

 

Last Sunday after church we left for Georgia.  We left at about 1:30pm.  This drive out when we moved took about 9-10 hours.  We quickly found out that Ansley is not a fan of long car rides.  After about an hour she whined/cried all the way to Birmingham.  (and that includes taking pit stop breaks every so often for her to get out of her car seat)  We pulled into Athens at about 1:30am.  It took 13 hours to get there!!!!!!!  I was not looking forward to the ride home (which ended up being about the same maybe worse cause both kids were sick)! 

Joey woke up the next morning and went fishing with old friends while I took the girls to my favorite park (Memorial Park) and fed the ducks. We also went to our old complex and saw our old landlords (who are like extra parents to us).  Sadly Avery didn't remember our old place:(  She did recognize her little butterfly house she made with Joey that was still hanging on the outside balcony.  I can't believe its been 6 months already since we moved!!!  

Later we met up with more friends, Brian and Claibourne and got to see their baby Evie!

We were due 2 weeks apart but our babies ended up being a month apart.

Ansley and Evie 

 Avery loves dogs so much!  I'm glad she can get her pet fix at other peoples homes cause it will take a lot of convincing for mommy to even consider...

We did not get to be in Athens near long enough!  We did not get to see all our friends we wanted to or eat at some of our favorite places... Guess we'll have to go back soon!

Next we made our way out to Marietta for the traditional weenie roast.

Avery got real territorial over Aunt Jeni when her boyfriend came over-

Avery told me when we got back, "Mom, Phil is Jeni's boyfriend, and my boyfriend is Jeremy(from the show Phineas and Ferb)."  I think I can handle a cartoon character for a boyfriend :)

 

 Thanksgiving morning we ran the Marietta Square Gobble Jog 5K 

We girls have decided to make this a tradition and next time we'll line up at the front  with the non-walker/stroller/pet people!!  That first mile was an obstacle course!!!!

Mr. Turkey also came to visit and all the kids were very excited!!!

This is one of my favorite traditions that the Graham family has:)

 Yummy T-day dinner- had to get Karl in a pic (he flew in from Utah)

 Friday afternoon Joey's grandparents made the drive down from Columbia, SC to see everyone!  Anytime Ansley was not being held G-Grandma would quickly come and scoop her up.

Getting more of her pet fix by taunting the cat

There were also foosball tournaments  

& Hannah and Jason surprised everyone when they announced they will be having their first baby in June!!!!!  WE ARE SO EXCITED for them!

 Kimi and Jill were the champs

 Then we split teams up

 Ansley and cousin Taylor

 Avery got to have a sleepover at Aunt Kimi's high rise in Buckhead and she loved that place.  She kept telling me that Kimi lives in a huge hotel where all the lights are.  They went and saw the new Disney movie Tangled and she loved it!

 Some of the other things we did include:

Black Friday shopping after plotting out our plans of attack (& of course Target and Kohls rank at the top of my list)

Shopping with Dad for Mom's anniversary gift

Dad took family pictures for us and I love them! (Sneak preview at top of blog)

-I am saving my favorite for Christmas cards :)
a few games of Oh Heck

LOTS and LOTS of football watching  - & so glad UGA won cause we are bowl eligible!!! 

The guys had their turkey bowl and traditional game of jumpball where MY husband is always the one that ends up hurt!

 This along with 2 sick kiddos on the ride home!  FUN FUN FUN!  It was worth it I just wish it would have lasted longer.

Our week was NOT near LONG enough!!!!!!