Visit to the Fire Station

Audrey has been asking to go back to the fire station to visit Dada for a while now, so we finally made the time to go. She just loved seeing the fire trucks. She kept saying "Audrey drive!"

Christmas 2012

We had a great Christmas this year. It's hard to believe that it was Audrey's third Christmas. This was the first year that she really understood what was happening, so it was really special to see her get excited about everything.

Scott had to work Christmas Eve, but he was home in time Christmas morning for us to spend it with Audrey opening presents. We got her a tricycle, and Minnie Mouse shopping cart and cash register and few other books and small things. She loved everything! Santa didn't have time to assemble the tricycle before Christmas, so Audrey helped Dada do it. She's a good little helper!

Later that day, we went to my parents' house to celebrate. Audrey slept most of the day. But we didn't do much celebrating that day because my grandma passed out right before dinner, so my mom and uncle went with her to the hospital. The very good news is that she is okay, but it gave us all quite a scare! Unfortunately, we didn't get to open presents or celebrate, so we went back a couple days later.

Audrey with cousin Gwendolyn

Playing with Mama's old Mickey Mouse hat

Opening stockings with G and Meredith

A few days later, we went to celebrate at Scott's parents' house. Audrey also slept most of the day, but woke up in time to open presents with everyone. As you can see from the photos, she and Billy stole the show and had a great time opening presents.

All the grandkids with Babka

First Visit to Santa Claus

This was the first year we took Audrey to see Santa because up until this year, she was just too young to understand and we thought she would hate it. But this year, we've been reading a book about Santa all year, so she understands who Santa is and has been talking about him a lot! So on my last day of work before the holidays, Scott brought Audrey up so we could go to Crown Center to visit Santa. She loved it! There was a little playground before we got in line to see him and she had the best time. When it was her turn to see Santa, we told her to go sit on his lap and she ran right up to him and let him pick her up and put her in his lap! I was floored! I couldn't believe she wasn't scared. We may have to teach her not to talk to strangers...she's quite the little social butterfly! So she sat on Santa's lap, but she didn't tell him what she wanted (don't think she quite understands that part yet). But then Santa told her that there were four more days until he would come to her house and they counted together. Later that day, she kept talking about how she counted with Santa. Then we went over to Hallmark so Audrey could meet some of my coworkers. She had the best time!

Snow boots!

Audrey got a pair of hand-me-down snow boots from cousin Gwendolyn and she loves them! She insists on wearing them every where we go and doesn't want to take them off. She does look pretty darn cute in them, so how can I refuse?

Annual Christmas Tree

We took advantage of the nice weather (65 degrees in December? I'll take it!) and went to pick out our Christmas tree. We went a lot earlier than we usually do because Scott is always afraid that the tree will dry out if we have it too long, so this will be a good experiment to see if it lasts. We tried to go to a Christmas tree farm that was near our house, but they didn't have a very good selection of trees, so we went back to the place we went last year, Longbranch Christmas tree farm and we found a great tree! Scott even cut it down for us!

When we got home, it was time for a nap, so Audrey went to bed while we put all of the decorations up to surprise her when she got up. When she saw the tree, she said "Cute! Like it!" Success! She also was very intrigued with our nativity scene. She wanted to play with baby Jesus. She even played pat-a-cake with him and then gave him a kiss and put him down to sleep - so cute!

 

Happy 2nd Birthday, Audrey!

Audrey had a wonderful birthday celebration! I just can't believe she is already two, times flies by too fast! We celebrated Audrey's 2nd birthday with all of our family and she had so much fun! It was a Minnie Mouse themed party, of course. She got some really great gifts (mostly Minnie stuff!) and loved having all 6 of her cousins there to play with. She especially loved when we all sang "Happy Birthday" to her - she was just looking around at everyone in amazement. When we were done, she said "again!" So we sang again! :-) We are so grateful to have so much family here in town to help us celebrate!

Birthday Girl!

She loved her balloons!

The Minnie cake was adorable and delicious!

She loved opening presents!

Puzzles!

Loved her Minnie pillow!

Personalized suitcase from Gaga and Papa

Minnie suitcase from Nana and Papa

Hammin' it up!

All of Audrey's cousins - JT, Ryan, Sydney, Billy, Meredith and Gwendolyn

Nana & Papa

Nana & Gaga

Gaga & Papa

Getting ready to blow out the candle - she said "hot!"

Loved it when everyone sang to her

Helping Mama cut the cake

Slumber Party with Billy!

This week, cousin Billy came over for a slumber party! Uncle Brian had to lead a hunt the next day, so Billy came over the night before to stay with us. He and Audrey played in her room before she went to bed. She loved having him over and even shared her favorite purple ball with him. I'm so glad that Audrey has cousins close to her age that she'll grow up with - so much fun!

Billy was a wonderful guest and slept through the night until 8:30 the next morning. Such a sweet little guy!



Playing after bathtime.
So impossible to get Audrey to sit still long enough for a photo!




Look at that sweet little face!



Halloween 2013

No surprise that Audrey dressed up as Minnie Mouse for Halloween this year. She loved wearing her costume and has been wearing the ears all the time! The Sunday before Halloween, we went to Aunt Crystal and Uncle Charlie's house to celebrate Scott and Ryan's birthdays, so Audrey took the opportunity to show off her cute outfit. Luckily, cousin Billy also brought his costume, so we got some good shots of them together. On Halloween night, Dada had to work, so Audrey and I handed out candy to a few people before it was bedtime. We'll definitely try trick-or-treating next year!



Audrey as Minnie Mouse and Billy the Dragon





Nana and Papa with the youngest grandkids