Gingerbread houses!

Last night we went to Grandma's house to make gingerbread houses!
It has been a tradition for my family ever since I was little. It was so much fun to see Ava doing it! She had so much fun, and actually spent a good amount of time decorating her house! Most of the candy made it to the house, but a lot made it to her mouth too!! Yum!
Although her Thomas the Train obsession has taken a backseat lately, she still managed to find all the trains in Grandma's figurine bowl and add them to her house. :)
Thank you so much Grandma for taking all the time to make the houses!! We had so much fun!








I had to add an Ava ham picture.

Aunt Na and Ava's cousins Brandon, Jessica and Cody.





Brandon and Ava.

Grandma and Cody.

Ava's cousin Cody made her this cute little ornament! It was an "A" that he made with rolled up paper!
Thank you Cody!!

Advent Calendar

When I was a kid, my Mom had a felt Advent calendar she would put out every year. Each day we got to put an ornament on the tree. I always loved that calendar, and it was so exciting waiting for each day to come when it was your turn to put an ornament up!
I decided to make one of our own. My Mom emailed me some pictures of the one she made, and I tried to mimic it as much as possible!
I don't have a sewing machine, so I hand stitched everything! WOW what a job!! Many many hours and several trips to Joanne's for supplies... it is almost done!!
Ava loves it, and each day she has been telling me where she wants to put the next ornament.

Santa's visit!!

Every year the Fire Dept and Police Dept come through our neighborhood with Santa!! It is so much fun!! They play Christmas music and sound their sirens and follow Santa around as he visits all the kids and gives them presents!! Ava was SOOOO excited to see him!
This year we found out when they were coming beforehand, so we made cookies for Santa! Ava was cute just standing on our lawn holding the cookies, waiting for Santa.

Waiting on the porch for Santa.



Cookies for Santa!




There was someone with a Grinch mask on. He looked kinda scary and Ava definitely did not like him!! She was holding on to mommy tight!

The kitty Santa brought!

Grandpa's house and a tea party!!

We went to Grandpa's house on the first weekend in December for an early Christmas! Grandpa and Sandy are going to Florida for 3 months, so they had a Christmas party before they left.
For some reason, Ava was totally fascinated by Grandpa's bathtub! I suppose because it was really big. I couldn't keep her out of it! Eventually her cousins joined her, and Ava threw her own tea party. Then more cousins came... party in the bath tub! It was really funny. :) I miss being a kid!
Have fun in Florida Grandpa and Sandy!! We will miss you!







A dolly from Grandpa!


Kisses!

A tractor fro Grandpa!

Santy Claus!

Saturday morning we went to The Old Cannery in Sumner to visit Santa Claus! We arrived about an hour early and there was already a line! Rafael and I took turns chasing Ava around the store while the other waited in line. Santa finally came! Ava was so happy and got a BIG grin as soon as she saw him! When it was Ava's turn to sit on his lap, she just started running her cute little mouth! She is not shy at all. She was telling Santa all about everything!!
I love taking Ava there! Not only is it a free Santa visit, but they let you take as many pictures as you like. The Santa is SO cute and jolly too!! I love it!


Kisses for the 'Moose'. No matter how many times we told Ava it was a reindeer, it was still a moose. She even talked to Santa's elves about all the Moose that were standing around.


Waiting in line


Here he comes!!





A pause to pose for a quick picture

Santa just listened to all of Ava's stories. I'm pretty sure she will get what she wants this year.... :)