January Update

A month after Christmas and the girls are still loving all their new toys. And while most of the rest of the country has suffered through a cold January, we’ve been lucky to have above average temps…which is perfect for spending time outside.

For New Year’s we got 3 families together – 5 girls and a token boy. Ava and Ali and crew enjoyed playing together…here there are with a brief bit of downtime watching a movie.

Ali was festive with her party hat.

Which she traded in for the cowboy hat.

Ava had her princess crown on for the evening.

The families all had fun as we welcomed in the new year!

The next adventure was the Butterfly Wonderland. Somehow Ava was afraid of the butterflies. Meanwhile Ali was fascinated by them.

Ali getting up close and personal…

And just chilling among the butterflies.

There was also a great coi pond – Ali wanted to grab the fish, so Dad had to hold her back.

Now that Christmas was over, it was time to take down the Christmas decorations. The girls were a lot of help…especially with the Santa Bears.

After all that work, Ali took a little rest (notice the theme here with Ali and hats)?

With the warm weather, the girls have been outside a lot. Sometimes we play tennis (or ride in the ball pickup mower).

Click the image above for a video of Ava and Ali with the tennis ball mower.

Other times, “Captain Ava” takes her toy dog and doll for a stroll.

The girls share the see saw.

and on the slides.

And Ava likes to wear her new hat.

While Ali loves to stroll on by.

The girls did some hiking – Ali did amazingly well for almost 3/4 of a mile.

Click the image above for a video of the girls hiking

And occasionally the girls will hold hands together.

And we now have the official “bike train” consisting of Dad’s bike, Ava’s CoPilot, and Ali’s trailer.

Click the image above for a video of the girls walking and riding to the park

Click the image above for a video of Ali playing catch with Pepper

Of course sometimes you just need a dance party.

Click on the image above for a video of Ali dancing

We’ll leave you with some typical shots of Ali (at 5AM). Here she is with a little bedhead.

And catching up on a little Baby Einstein.

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!