The Zipps Family: February 2013

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Going Private

I have been debating for some time about whether or not to make my blog private. I love that people can stay updated on our family but one of the main reasons that I write and update it is to print it out yearly for memories.

Yesterday as I was making a post, I stumbled upon the traffic sources (which websites have sent people to my blog). Well, there was a random money blog that didn't seem legit at all that had my blog listed as one of four blogs they follow. Also, there is some random vampire website that has apparently sent people to this site.

With all this said, I have finally decided to make it private. I feel like I can share a little more knowing that people that frequent vampire websites will not have access to pictures and stories of my girl :). I definitely want anyone that we know to be able stay connected with us so if you do happen to read along and want to continue then please write your email in the comments section or email me privately, and I will send you a link to read!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

NYE 2012

Obviously I am still way behind when it is the second half of February and I am still struggling to get my New Years Eve post done! I am going to try my best to get up to date soon!

The past few NYE's since Avery was born have been fun but somewhat anticlimactic. We've given it our best but the party has ended around 10pm each time and sadly we are asleep before the ball drops. I honestly haven't cared that much since it isn't my favorite holiday but this year we decided to put the kids to bed and actually stay up with the adults. Between 5 couples, Luke and Ave were the only little ones partying with us due to extremely helpful grandparents!

Cheesin' with my New Year's girl

Those are s'mores although you can't really tell since Avery has a habit of picking apart her food to get to the good parts aka the chocolate and marshmallow.

Sparkler time outside. Ave has a very healthy (in my eyes, not Bill's) fear of fire and decided to stay protected inside.

They were blowing with all their might. Ave usually just makes the noise with her voice since she can't ever seem to get it to blow out the noise.

So happy to ring in the new year

At around 9 pm, we put Avery and Luke to sleep upstairs. I'm pretty sure they were awake in their individual rooms until around 11pm but they were happy so we didn't worry too much! At Kelly's bachelorette party, I was introduced to this gem...

I forget the actual name but it's an XBox Dance game that is hilarious! Yes, that is sadly a pose that my husband made while dancing to the Night at the Roxbury song. I'm so very happy that the game froze it so that I can have this picture always :).

I could watch people try to dance all night long. I'm thankful that there are no pictures of me attempting it!

Grace really felt the need to be right in the middle of the dancing action.

We had a lot of fun with friends and stayed up far later than I have in a really long time. 2012 definitely wasn't my favorite year. I asked Bill to rate it on a scale of 1-10 (kind of cheesy I know!) and he said a 5. I was a little more generous and said a 7 trying to focus on fun times with Ave, the new house, etc but there were some really tough times as well. I am happy to bid a farewell to 2012 and go on to 2013. Hopefully it is full of fun and excitement!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Christmas #4 and #5

It seems the older we get, the more times we celebrate Christmas. It ends up being slightly exhausting being on the go so much but I am thankful that we have so much family to see! The day after Christmas, we did two more Christmas get-togethers. First off was my parents' house to celebrate with Papa and Jackie.

On the road again!

BFF's

After breakfast and presents, we packed it back up and took off for College Station to see Bill's grandparents.

Once we made it back home, Avery finally got a chance to break open some of her new toys.

I love Christmas and everything that comes with it, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't thrilled to just take it easy the next couple days :).

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was jam packed with activities. We woke up Christmas morning, and of course, Avery wanted to open presents immediately.

She decided to go for the easy route of just dumping the contents upside down

One of her most prized presents that morning- M&M's

There is quite the story behind these horses. Avery and Sophia rode very large stuffed horses at Costco about a month before Christmas with my Mom. After that, every time anyone would ask what she wanted for Christmas she would say, "A forsey!" She said it so many times and was absolutely convinced that Santa was bringing it for her that I had to find a much smaller scale horse present. By the look on her face I don't think she was disappointed...well, until we went to Sophia's house later that day and she saw the giant horse :).

After opening presents, we ate some cinnamon rolls for breakfast, a yearly tradition.

Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Around lunch time, we headed over to Steph and Scott's house to celebrate with my family.

Sophie was so proudly carrying around this present. It was hilarious!

Cousin hug

So excited about a new princess video!

Shutterfly calendar of the cousins. I spend far too much time on that website around Christmas time!

I found this marshmallow bow and arrow for Andrew at the Nutcracker Market. It reminded me of the Hunger Games. I figured that if anyone would appreciate it, it would be him!

Princess PJ's

After naps, or lack-there-of on Ave's part, we went to my Aunt and Uncle's house to celebrate with my Mom's whole side of the family. Here are some pics from that afternoon-

Nice side pose Daddy!

It was a busy day but we had a good time with all of our family. It was so much fun celebrating with Avery this year. I loved watching her open her gifts and get so excited about all the festivities!

Monday, February 4, 2013

Christmas Eve

Due to some blogging technical difficulties which caused me to be unable to upload pictures, I am so very late at posting my Christmas pictures. Oh well, better late than never!

Christmas Eve started out with some baking for Santa. Avery and I baked some sugar cookies, and Ave had a blast decorating them.

Sprinkles!

Poor girl was squeezing with all of her might to get the frosting onto the cookie!

The finished product

That afternoon, we went to church and then headed to Bill's parents' house for dinner and presents. I think that the Christmas Eve service at church is my favorite of the year. I just love everything about it especially singing Silent Night at the end. What made it even better this year was that Avery had a blast there too. They celebrated Jesus's birthday and even got to eat a cupcake. She was thrilled!

After we got to the Zipps house, we took some pics, ate some dinner, and immediately got to the gifts!

Twins! Avery looks so much like Laura's toddler pictures. It's crazy!

Avery thought their fireplace was her personal stage.

Opening the first gift

Avery got lots of Aggie gear from her grandparents for next year's football season. Although she is thoroughly brainwashed already, I've made sure that she can also Sic 'Em like the best of them :)

I can't get over the cuteness of this dress. She felt very proud.

Of course, Ave had to end the night with a little dance party in her new dress.

After we left, Avery was off to bed so that Santa could come!

The Zipps Family