January Update

We ended 2014 with a New Year’s Eve part with the girls. The girls got to eat dinner with friends (and wine for the parents).

The girls followed it up with a dance party…

… some sparklers outside…

Note that Ali got into it!

And a sleepover with Sofia…

A few days later we woke up to snow on the mountains behind us. So of course we went up to see more snow in Flagstaff.

Ali seemed to love it for her first time in the snow…

Although she wasn’t too thrilled with the hat.

Both girls love the sledding!

As well as building a snowman.

Other than a few cold days, it has been nice out for the girls. Here Ava is helping Ali with the tricycle.

And Ali practicing some more (with Elsa as the passenger).

And Ava and Sofie riding around the trails.

Ava is turning into a monkey.

and a pretty good climber.

and sometimes a bit of an entertainer too…

The girls helped Mom bake a cake for Dad’s birthday.

At school, Ali made sure to get messy too…

While Ava’s class celebrated the 100th day of school (Ava is in the front in black striped shirt).

Its been a pretty good start to 2015!

Christmas!

The girls are anxiously awaiting Santa’s arrival. As new presents get added under the tree, Ava has to remind Ali that we don’t get to open them until Christmas….but Ali still keeps trying to sneak open a few, and Ava is doing the time honored tradition of shaking boxes to see if she can guess what is inside.

The girls have fun with the train around the tree…

And the girls helped to decorate the house too.

Although our house isn’t as done up as the house up the street (aka the “Christmas House” in Ali’s terms). We take a walk up (or drive by) almost every evening in December…

With NeeNee and Pops in town, the girls are excited to decorate Christmas cookies.

On Christmas eve the girls got to open one gift – Ava is busy with her legos while Ali has something Frozen.

On Christmas morning the girls were up bright and early – excited to see all that Santa added under the tree.

Ali went straight for the Frozen bag.

A quick glimpse of Ava in her frozen outfit before she got too busy with the gifts.

The girls with their new outfits (and boots to match).

Ava’s giant art set.

Later the girls (in Frozen outfits of course) were busy playing.

Ali decided that the baby doll crib is almost big enough for her.

And after a while, it was just too much for Ali so she took a nap.

Merry Christmas to all!

December Update

December was a busy month – between the holidays, family in town, etc. it seemed like we were always on the go.

We took some family photos that turned out pretty well considering that we need to get 4 of us all looking at the camera (and hopefully smiling) at the same time.

Ali and Ava had fun with their posing…

Note that Dad said the girls are getting big…

Ava was all smiles.

As was Ali.

The girls love to be upside down…

Ali and Mom

And the traditional…

Back at school, Ava’s class did a pet week where they were all dogs.

Speaking of pets, the girls liked the kitten at PetSmart.

They took turns playing…

At Ali’s school, they had a Christmas party. Ali was showing off her Elsa doll.

Ali, Vera, and Sofia at the park.

Ava and Ali have been getting better at the bike and tricycle.

Here’s Ava helping Ali on the tricycle.

And here’s Ava on one of her first times without the training wheels.

Click the image above for a video of Ava on the bike

 

We did the Christmas lights at the Train Park one night…Ali loves the carousel.

We also got to see Santa a few times. First was at an event in the neighborhood community center.

And at Lowes. Mom thought that this Santa looks a lot like Papa.

Looks like we are ready for Christmas!

November

Morning (especially on school days) can turn into a mad rush. But occasionally we catch the girls still (and dressed and ready). Here’s one of those rare moments.

Ali loves her baby doll stroller.

Ava’s soccer team finished up the season.

With trophies that the girls all love!

Ali continues to be the entertainer …

And manages to stay fairly clean at school…

On Thanksgiving, we did the parade in Fountain Hills.

Ali was a bit more chill with Mom.

While Ava (and her friend Hannah) were busy running around.