A Good Life . . .

Can you say . . .

So, David and Audrey were running an errand the other night and playing the "I Spy" game.  After several rounds Audrey said, "I spy a car with yellow lights."  

David wasn't sure he understood her and questioned, "Did you say 'yellow ice'?"

"No," she said, "yellow LIGHTS."

David - "Yellow ICE?"

"No," Audrey said, "you move your tongue forward, la, la, lights.  Like that. Can you say 'lights'?"

All I want for Christmas . . .

is my two front teeth! 

Well, and maybe some cereal too . . 

  

Amelia Fans

Attention all Amelia fans . . . .

First, I'm negligent in posting that her first tooth has popped through.  And second, she is taking steps behind a walker!!!  Years from now, when she is preparing to run a marathon, planning her first solo trip abroad, or preparing to start a family, I look forward to looking her in the eyes and reminding her that she was unstoppable from day one, and there is nothing, nothing you cannot do Miss Amelia!

Breakfast with Santa

Once we arrived at the conservatory, breakfast with Santa was indeed an occasion for oohing and aahing!  

 

 

Despite the fact that she would again be inexplicably handed off to a big fat man in a red suit, Amelia was all about breakfast with Santa!

 

Santa looks a bit disheveled, but the girls look good!

 

And I just have to share this photograph of David and Amelia sharing a moment.

California

Tonight at dinner:

Audrey - "Thank you for my California, Mommy."

Mommy and Daddy - Giggling while trying very hard not to look at each other.

Daddy - "Good calzones, Mommy."

Audrey laughing - "I said 'California'."

For all you parents out there

This picture is for all you parents out there who have survived the inexplicable meltdowns of your children.  This photo was taken as we were on our way to have BREAKFAST WITH SANTA!  One would think it would be an occasion to smile or maybe even giggle in anticipation.  Yet Audrey was so inconsolable that we had to even pull out the BGP (Big Girl Paci) - something that doesn't see the light of day for months on end, but is used when she is practically hyperventilating.  It was all I could do not to throw in the towel before we left the house.  And what was wrong with Miss Audrey Ruth still remains a mystery.

 

Just a bit . . .

I think the end of Bolt may have been just a bit too scary for Audrey . . . 

 

After seeing this picture, I feel TOTALLY guilty for letting her watch it!

Santa Claus is Coming To Town

I only wish I had had a video camera on Audrey when I started singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" to her last Friday.  She was totally engrossed in my every word AND full of questions - "Why he makin' a list?' "How he see me when I sleeping?"  Since then we've listened to it dozens of time and just last night I heard from the backseat of the car - "I nice!" and "I good!"  Priceless . . . just priceless.

As you may have gathered from my last post, we had the privilege of seeing Santa last Saturday on the Santa train down in the Hocking Hills.  It is and will hopefully remain for years to come, a tradition.  I have a mere 145 photographs from the event, so forgive me if I share too many!

Anxiously awaiting our departure . . . 

 

In addition to Santa and a train ride, the girls' Grandma and Papa Erney, Aunt Roz and Aunt Elle joined us . . . yea, Audrey and Amelia were in heaven (but I don't think they were the only ones)!  I'm sorry you can't see Mom in this picture, but you can see just how much they enjoy the girls (and outings like the Santa train)!

 

And, of course, I must share what they were smiling about . . . how big Miss Amelia thinks she is!

 

She thoroughly enjoyed herself . . . of course standing whenever she could, meeting Santa for the first time, and lots of laughs with and love from her fan base.

 

 

I love that Audrey was not one bit shy when she laid eyes on Santa.  I'd like to caption the following photo "Excuse me, I'm right here Santa!"

 

And I love this three generations shot!

 
We sang carols, we share food, we saw Santa on a train and we did it all together . . . yep, it doesn't get much better!

 
 

Shaggy

Her bed head just keeps getting better!  And in her defense, I took this picture within minutes of her waking up - hence why she looks so dazed.

 

Here is a sneak peek of the pictures from this past weekend (in Audrey's words, I have YOTS)!  Can you guess what we did?

 

Amelia - Eight Months Old

How did this happen?  On Wednesday our girl turned eight months old!  She is into everything . . . standing, cruising and doing her best to walk.  Yes, you read that right.  She is spending more time standing than she is crawling, and over the past two days I've caught her letting go and trying to just stand.  Her balance is amazing!  Given how much she wants in on the action, it really will not surprise me if she is walking soon.  She is a pistol when she thinks she is missing out on something, which can make feeding her and bedtime a challenge.  But there is no denying it, she is a happy girl and we are happy to have her in our lives!

Taking her monthly pictures is now a two person job (not including Miss Amelia).  David entitled this photo "Elephant smack down."

 

Did I mention that she is a girl on the move?

 

On the move and a bit proud of herself!

 

She is strong willed and makes her needs (and desire) known . . . go Amelia!