Avery's First Christmas

Avery's first Christmas was so much fun! We spent the morning at our house with Gabe's parents. I made breakfast for all of us and then Avery opened a few gifts, which were mostly clothes! She has so many toys already so I just got her a few outfits! We spent the rest of the morning just hanging out as a family. Later, we took off to Denver to spend the rest of Christmas at my Dad's. We had a wonderful time there! Avery is so blessed to see all of her grandparents so often! My Dad and Eileen really blessed us for Christmas! Thank you! They also surprised us with a pack n play before we came back home! They bought one for their house and one for us to take home with us. I am so excited to finally own one! It will be great for traveling and even greater for whenever God decides to bless us with a second child since it converts into bassinet and changing table. To be honest, it got me excited! I don't think we are quite ready for #2, but when the time comes...we will be ready! :) Anyway...Happy Birthday DAD, I'm happy we could come stay with you guys! Thank you for everything! We love you guys!
It was a blessing to see so much of our family over Christmas, but we did miss those of you we didn't get to see! We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

I found my two favorite dolls in a closet at my Dad's house, so I introduced Avery to them. She quickly started eating and wrestling them! How funny. I think she liked that they were her size! We brought them home with us!

Fun with Grandpa!

Avery had a blast with this cow. This was my little step sister's when she was little...I'm happy they saved it!

Checking out her new clothes!

She looked so cute in her Merry Christmas jammies!

Christmas Eve

Gabe's parents joined us for the Wonderland Christmas Eve service. It was wonderful, beautiful and powerful! Avery loved the service too because she just loves music! Music will always catch her attention. After the service, Gabe and Avery took me out to dinner to "celebrate Momma" and then we went to Gabe's grandparents for a little while to see his extended family. It was great to meet more of Gabe's family. Avery got passed around from cousin to cousin; she did so well! She definitely loves people!

I attempted to get some pictures of Avery in front of the Christmas tree before we went to church to meet up with Daddy. She was much more interested in eating the presents and bows!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

The first year Gabe and I were married, I decided to start a tradition of baking a birthday cake for Jesus every Christmas. So, here it is...Jesus's birthday cake! I can't wait for Avery to start helping me with this! It will be so fun to have her decorate the cake next year! I am hoping each year my baking skills will improve. This cake is very lopsided, but from the top it looks pretty good! I can't seem to figure out how to get the two cakes out of the pan without them falling apart! I think it will at least taste good! Happy Birthday Jesus!

We took Avery to the mall last night to take a picture with Santa, but the line was ridiculous. So we just took this picture!

Skating in Kansas!

We just got back from staying a night in Kansas with Muttie and Pop Pop. Soon after we arrived, Avery was surprised with a new gift. They got her a walker which she already loves. First she wasn't sure how it worked, but she quickly figured out how to walk with it. Now that we are home, she is walking all over the place! She will be walking on her own in no time!
It was a beautiful 60 degree weather day yesterday, so we spent some time walking around main street. For dinner we enjoyed some great steaks at Big Ed's in Bird City and then got Avery out on Muttie's ice rink for the first time. It was a great day! Avery was once again a joy and a trooper! Thanks for everything Muttie and Pop Pop!
We are now back home and just waiting for the huge SNOW storm we keep hearing about. We are actually praying for BIG SNOW! We would love a white Christmas!

Gabe's parents home. They moved here when Gabe was in 6th grade! It is very nicely decorated for Christmas!

Muttie's "town" skating rink! I's so cool! This is the 3rd or 4th year they have put it up in their lot next to their house. It's open for use by the entire town and the people there love it!

Taking a short snooze on Pop Pop before we hit the road to come home...

Learning how to walk...

Avery and Libby...still a little tired in the morning!

Having fun with Daddy!

Skating with Muttie

Avery and I just scooted around the ice in our shoes...but we had a great time on the rink!

Muttie and Pop Pop!

They got her a figure skating dress!

Exploring all the fun toys...

Helping Daddy put together her new walker!

Opening her gift

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Friday night!

My Dad, Eileen, Ash and Maddie came down for dinner on Friday night. It was their first time down to our house and it was a blast having them! Thank you for coming and thank you for all the sweet gifts! We love you! Avery loved having you visit!

Avery with Grandma and Grandpa!

Her two Aunties...Ash and Maddie

Welcome to our HOME!

Finally...some pictures of our new home!

God seriously blessed us immeasurably more than we could imagine!

Come on in!

Living room (view from entry way) and our first Christmas Tree!

View of staircase from entry way

View of dining room from living room

Cozy family room...I know, we are missing a stocking! Poor Avery, I still need to find her one. I wish I was talented enough to make her one!

Main floor bathroom and laundry room

Hallway to garage, basement and stairs

View from balcony...look at that little cutie!

Looking into Avery's room

Guest bathroom

Guest room/ Office
It needs some love, but I have plenty of ideas!

Master
Again, needs some love and many, many more ideas!

Amazing master bathroom...just love it!

I didn't include a picture of the closet...but again, it is amazing!



Avery's new favorite thing to do...walk round and round the coffee table!

So there it is! We are just thrilled to be in a house now. Avery is constantly on the move exploring her new home!