Christmas Highlights

Christmas was in full swing at the Ameduri house. With the house filled with decorations, presents starting to appear under the tree, and cookies getting made, the girls were getting more excited. Plus with NeeNee and Pops arriving the girls had more people to entertain.
NeeNee and Pops brought Mom’s Dale stuffed chipmunk for Ava.

and Ali got a new soft bear too.

NeeNee and Ava got to work on the Christmas sugar cookies.

The next day was the decorating part…Ava liked sampling the icing as she was doing the cookies.

and it looks like Pop helped too.

Ali and Pops read a few books too.

Ava continued her tradition of getting haircuts with NeeNee.

We took the girls to see the lights at the Princess Resort. Ali loved all the lights and music…Ava did too of course.

Click on the image above for a video of the girls dancing to the Christmas music.

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On Christmas eve day, Max and Mason came over to play with the train.

and the girls posed for some pictures with the start of the presents.

Ali played outside since it was nice out…

Later that evening Ali read with NeeNee and Pops.

On Christmas morning, the girls (surprisingly) slept in a little bit. The stockings were overflowing.

Ava ran out, saw her Santa gifts, and promptly located the Ninja Turtle she has been asking for (all by the shape of the package).

Ava then moved on the to her stocking.

She helped hand out gifts (or at least locate those with her name on it).


Ali was content just to take her time and play with each toy.

While Ava was busily getting through all her gifts.

We managed a brief intermission for breakfast…

Then we were back at it.
Ava loved the musical jewelry box from NeeNee and Pops.

Ava helped Dad open some gifts.

Mom got lots of new clothes.

Ali is playing with her tractor.

Ali likes her new water bottle and sun hat.

and Ava helped show off Pops’ new fish bottle opener.

Ali got a rocking chair to match Ava’s.

Ava loves her new Disney castle from Lola and Papa.

Pops modeled Ava’s new zebra jacket.

NeeNee shows of some of Ava’s new clothes.

and Mom checked out the rocking chair.
Pepper even tried to model the jacket too (courtesy of Ali).

Later Ali read some books and showed off her new shoes.

The next morning, Ali was happy to play with her toys.

She loves hats.

and they all enjoyed the warm weather.

Ali then tried to hijack the suitcase to keep NeeNee and Pops from leaving.

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful Christmas gifts!

Best wishes for 2014!

Ava’s Snow Experience

With snow in the high country, we decided to join the neighborhood caravan (4 families from our street) up to Flagstaff for Ava’s first true snow experience. Luckily a friend had some snow pants and jacket for Ava to borrow.

We rode up with friends, and stopped for a bit. Ava started off with a mini snowball fight with the kids.

Then we drove to the sledding hill. Ava was ready with Dad’s ski goggles.

Once there, Ava got all bundled up. First we had to check out the snow situation.

We built our first snowman (miniature one since the snow wasn’t packing)

We did some sledriding. Ava started out with Dad, then progressed to doing it with our neighbor Bradley.

Click on the image above for a video of Ava's sled riding

 

Once we had our fill of the hill, Ava went for the snow angel.

Of course we need to inspect it after we make it.

Click on the image above for a video of Ava's snow angel

 

After a nice lunch, we got in the car and headed home. Ava was a bit worn out…

I’m sure we’ll be going to Flagstaff again soon for some more snow time!

Christmas is in the Air

The stores have been displaying Christmas stuff since around Halloween, so we’re now in full Christmas swing. We put the tree up and the lights on the house over Thanksgiving weekend. The girls (well, Ava) is asking when Santa is coming. Meanwhile Ali is happy to pull the ornaments off the tree.

We saw Santa at Home Depot

which was successful even for just Ali.

Our gym continued their Santa tradition (same Santa since Ava was born). However this time Ali wasn’t quite as cooperative.

But she was fine a few minutes later in the middle of the blur of activity.

Even trying to squash a balloon.

The girls thoroughly enjoy the lights around the neighborhood. We walk around every few nights to take in new displays (and to revisit the neighbor that has his lights synchronized to music). Ali gets thrilled when the lights go on at night.

Here are the girls in the backyard.

At home, Ava is being helpful by making us some tea.

While Ali plays doctor.

Occasionally they coordinate and work together in the kitchen.

Ava loves using the doll stroller…taking her dolls for a walk.

and sometimes the Cat in the Hat too…

Ali has fun hiking with Dad.

which means she gets to enjoy views like this.

and manage to look cool after the hike too!

And for the first time, Ava was in her school’s Christmas performance (she was sick the prior two years). Her class did great singing and performing “Christmas Step by Step”

Now for a few videos.

Click the image above for a video of Ali and Ava playing with the light displays at Home Depot

Click the image above for a video of Ali dancing with her fridge DJ

More to come over the next few weeks…