The Fabulous Five

So, I'm going to call it . . . Hailey is officially walking! She's been doing "baby steps" and prancing around here and there but I'm going to go ahead and say, for sure, without a doubt - SHE'S WALKING!!! The video speaks for itself! (Warning: If you are watching this at work it DOES have music!!) :)

My brave little bugs, running to the top, then sliding to the bottom, all by themselves. We are relishing the beautiful weather. After these pictures were taken Avery is now sliding down on her stomach, because she is so tiny she just whips uncontrollably down. When she is on her tummy, it slows her down a bit.





Could they be any sweeter? If I had been able to back up, you would see that all three of them were holding hands. Priceless!



I love my sisters,
oh yes I do,
I love my sisters,
this much is true .. . except when I am pushing, saying NO, or otherwise being a typical boy!!

Pete's first experience with hot chocolote (err . . .warm chocolate) on one of the few REALLY cold days we have down here. Avery's bed one morning. You might think "Why are is there newspaper in teeny tiny pieces all over the bed?" Well, Avery woke up during the night and Daddy thought it would be a good idea to give her the newspaper to read in bed, since she likes to read so much. This is what I found in the morning. Daddy's response was "I thought she would like the funnies . . . " Hailey's new found love . . . reading. I think I get a picture everyday of her cuddled up with some board book (still having a bit of trouble with those paper ones . . ) And finally, what could be better when you are two than your own personal bounce house in your garage? What could be better for a momma than for her two year olds to let off some steam when the weather was nasty, cold and wet for a week. I just pulled the bounce house into the garage and let them bounce away!!

We went to the aquarium near our home mainly because we know our kids love animals (and partly because all our kids were free!)



We had a great time and adventure. They loved shouting, pointing and otherwise going crazy looking at all the animals. What were their favorites? I think the penguins and possiblly the sea horses! (Every time Avery sees or hears the word "horse" she says "Pete cry" which is a story from another time entirely!)





They had a little petting zoo with little starfish, sea urchins and hermit crabs. Guess who would touch it and guess who wouldn't???




Hailey also seemed to thoroughly enjoy herself also. She stared in great wonderment at all the animals zipping around her. I haven't seen her that quiet in some time . . .

Throughout Christmas, Pete had days off from work and then took off other days in order to have a full 14 days off. It was really awesome and we throughouly enjoyed being together as a family. On many days when we would be gettig the kids ready, he would turn to me and say "How do you do this by yourself?", which would totally make my day! On his first day back to work, it felt really wierd around our house. I had gotten used to having some help around here! This was so good for all of us. . .I think we are planning on doing it every Christmas break.





This was one of our trips to see the ducks in our neighborhood. I love the look on Avery's face as she is looking and thinking. So sweet, so cute, so smart, so wonderful!