Christmas! 2011

Well we had an interesting Christmas I will say. The holiday part was good, but on Friday our car got totaled. My brother was going to pick Andre up from work and this car that was oncoming didn't yield (they were attempting a U turn) and drove right in to him. No one else was in the car with him, and he is fine. As a matter of fact, everyone walked away from the wreck just fine which is shocking looking at the 2 cars. The other car is a convertible, and it was a man in his 50's and his wife. Their car crunched up like an accordian. Our car wasn't as bad (so bystanders say) but it is still completely totaled. Seeing as how our air bags did NOT deploy (shame on you dodge!) I am glad Kurtis is ok. On the one hand, I am incredibly grateful that everyone is alright and that the kids weren't in the car. On the other hand, I am really sad about the car. I loved that car, and it's the first car Andre and I bought together.





Anyhow, Andre is meeting with the insurance guy today, if he will ever call us back, and hopefully it'll be sorted out soon. {post edit: this is turning out to be way more of a nightmare than we thought. Apparently, NC is like the worst state to get in a wreck. What is the point of even having insurance??}





So that was kind of a downer right before the holiday weekend. I tried really hard to stay upbeat though, especially Christmas morning, so that the kids would have a great time. They went to bed incredibly well [I guess the threats of "Santa won't come until you're asleep!" works like a charm] and they stayed asleep until 6 am. I am glad they woke up early, I wouldn't be able to sleep much longer! Santa brought John a guitar, Ava a nook, and Kael a basketball hoop. The kids were just in awe that Santa actually came and left presents! I never realized how boring Christmas was without children. I could never go back to that. Santa also brought Ava her most beloved puppy dog, Spot. Spot has been Ava's constant companion for a very long time. Then one day, he just disappeared, nowhere to be found. So Santa's little elves worked their magic, and Spot was waiting for her in her stocking! It is always funny to me each year how the kids get gifts (this year they got hooked up, thanks to g'ma & g'pa Shannon, the McLeods, uncle Kurtis, and their adopted grandma Sis. Wells) and among all the gifts there are always just one or two small things that they are totally content with.


This was Christmas Eve, the polar express, at Mayfaire shopping center. Their last ride was at 2 pm and we got there and [finally] parked about 1:52. We booked it over there and the train was full. He told me it was his last ride and I about started to cry. Then he said, "Don't look so down, I'm just kidding, I'll go one more time." So we were the only ones on the train!






















We got a picture with Santa!





















Christmas morning
























































































































































Happy holidays everyone! I hope your new years is great!

The gingerbread that got away

....was the title of Ava's school play. She was so excited that mom and dad were going to come and see her at school! She's been talking about it for so long and we've been practicing all the songs at home...and then we get there and she stands up there all grumpy and refuses to sing one song! Little stinker. Anyway she looked so cute but I was having camera issues (I was ready the throw the camera out the window) so the ones of her performing are all fuzzy, but I got some cute aftershots.











































This is a short video of the performance. If you look closely Ava keeps shaking her head "no" because I'm trying to tell her to sing. I love her so much and I was so happy to see her embrace her actress side! Needless to say she's more of a drama queen at home than on the stage.

Savior of the World

I've been thinking of all this holiday hubbub and everything we are expected to do to celebrate Christmas. This year I've tried to take a step back from trying so hard to create the "perfect Christmas." It is so easy to get wrapped up in gifts, baked goods, parties, food, decor, crafts, candies, lights, trips, Santa, Santa, did I mention Santa?


I've been thinking a lot about humility. Mainly the fact that Jesus Christ was born in a stable. I mean, the Savior of the world, and of all mankind had his beginnings in a small structure used to house livestock and grain. It scares me to think of having a baby at home, much less outside with filthy animals in a bunch of straw. Anything could have happened, but the whole point was His humble beginning that was followed by His humble life.


It was my goal, and still is my goal to teach my children that while everyone around us is racing to get that giant flat screen, or scans every ad to find the perfect deal, or makes mental endless shopping lists (which they'll never be satisfied because they never feel as if it's done), and for the most part we are so focused on getting through Christmas, and the perfect one, that it doesn't even cross our minds that long ago in the city of Judea, in a stable with animals, hay, and germs, the beginning of the greatest event in history occured, a baby was born.

Christmas Party

Well last night was our ward Christmas party. I took pictures of the kids in front of the tree before we left. We dress up every year for the party and every year everyone else is all dressed up too. Not this year! Lots of people were in jeans and t shirts. Oh well, at least our family looked nice.























Everyone kept asking how Andre is doing (he is in Georgia right now) and it just made me miss him even more. We haven't attended a Christmas party together in 4 years. Anyway the party was fun, it was different than what we normally do. They had different stations and we just spent 10 minutes at each station. They had fishing, a nativity, cookie decorating, and lots of other things.



The only problem is the party started at 7 (the kids go down around 7:45) and Santa didn't make his appearance until almost 9 pm! Ava & Kael were so tired and upset that towards the end it was not so fun. As soon as they got to see Santa we booked it out of there.

Ava decorated on massive cookie. I didn't think she'd actually eat it, but she did! I had to make her stop putting on toppings. She was pretty upset with me.

When Andre gets back we will be making a trip to Mike's farm! We are excited.

Dear Brother

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! (la la la la, la la la la...aaaaahhhhhh!) Happy birthday to you! Now sing that in your head with me.

Happy birthday Kurtis! I cannot believe you are 20 years old today. I remember when you were born and you had pnuemonia, and you couldn't come home with us from the hospital. I remember going to see you in your little incubator and we couldn't even touch you for a while, and then we could just hold your finger. You are definitely a miracle baby that has grown into a man before my eyes. Make us proud.












He wanted big macs for his birthday so we did that, and then decorated the tree. It was a very special night. Kurtis we love you!

Raindrops on roses and black satin sashes

You know, I don't even really know that song. So I hope those words are right. The Yankee candle company came out with all the scents such as "warm woolen mittens" and "snowflakes on lashes" or something to that effect. Anyway I love Christmas smells.

We busted out the Christmas decor and the the kids picked up the stockings and I turned around and this is what they were doing:

I got a new camera (for free!) from black friday. I love it, and it takes pretty great pics for a point and shoot. Yes, I am a black friday shopper. I do not deny it. And I am not ashamed. When you do Christmas on a budget it makes it so you can literally get twice as much. And I had been saving up coupons for that day. It made such a difference. Not to mention the free gift cards we got. I have never had experiences of anything crazy, or trampling or anything. I've heard of it, but we've never dealt with that. Honestly probably because we are never going for the big tv's or anything. Mainly the clothes, pj's, and games. Oh and socks.

John had his very last lacrosse practice today so I thought I'd snap some pics since I haven't even taken one yet. Here he is:






He's the one on the right (number 83)

And I took some shots of Ava & Kael. Kael practically worships John and tries to run on the lacross field to play with the big boys.

So I've been going to the gym recently and I had a run in with the owner and now I feel like I don't want to go back. But I'm paying for it, so I can't not go. I'm just so angry that he responded the way he did. The gym I go to is pretty small. It works for me, but I feel like at some point I might be ready to move it, however, I am happy for now. Their childcare on the other hand, makes me angry. At first I was just annoyed. I am past that point now. It's always the same two girls, and I have pretty much never seen them even get off their chairs. They don't even say hi to the kids when we come through the door. All the kids in there 100% entertain themselves. The ladies are either watching tv, or just sitting there, and the kids are so hesitant when we go in because they don't feel welcome. Anyway I've mentioned it (in a very nice way) to the ladies in there and they just nodded at me. Well twice now I've gone in there and Kael has had a dirty diaper. They are supposed to come and get me when this happens so I can change him. Well both times I walked in to find his diaper gross, and this is the second time that I went to change him and had to literally peel the diaper off his skin. I was so mad because that tells me he had a dirty diaper the whole time. I talked to the owner outside and mentioned my concern and he was so defensive and just snapped at me. I could not even believe it! He told me it was their policy to check the diapers and he knows they do that. And then I told him I wish they would be more personable with the kids, and interact a little bit with them. He then informed me that since they take infants that that would not be possible. I told him I found that hard to believe since most of the time my children have been in there there were not any infants in there at all. He just had a defensive comment for anything I said.

I could never imagine owning a business and treating my customers like that. And since he is always at the gym I know I will see him again, and I don't care, I just know I'll get mad all over again. And then will they even be nice to my kids now because I'm the "mom that complained." ugh! Anyway, sorry that was so long, I'm still pretty mad about it.

Sorry if you're reading this Andre, I know this is like to 100th time you've heard about it. I do not like not having a fireplace to hang stockings, maybe someday we will! So for now, they are strung on the wall.





















And here's a cute one of my handsome little guy in his rainboots







The End.

I have a new niece! She is one week old, and I can't believe how much I already love her.

Lana Rose

So that makes
nieces: 4
nephews: 0
Kael you are outnumbered my friend.

Thoughts of a 3 year old

Thank you for tuning into this week's afternoon session of "Ava Talk." Our first and only guest is Ava Trochez, herself.

As a boy from the disney movie Mars Needs Moms goes plummeting out of the sky and lands on huge piles of garbage and metal Ava stares at the tv and says, "Ooooooooooooooooooooooh snap."

We were in Harris Teeter in the produce section and I went over the vegetables and pointed out the kale and told the kids, "Guess what? This is Kale." Ava thought for a moment and then pointed to the carrots and said, "And this is Kurtis" then pointed the squash, "And this is Ava."


We were walking in a strip mall of stores and we walked by a pay phone. Ava picked up the phone and Andre said, "Come on Ava, let's keep walking." Ava held up one finger to indicate hold on and said, "Just a minute dad, I have to call someone."

And whenever we say prayer Ava always has to be the on to say it. Always. The other day she was praying and she said, "Bless mommy, and Kael, and Ava, and my stickers. Daddy is being naughty because he's not here, and bless Spot that he will obey. The end." I guess that's in lieu of "amen?"

And this isn't an Avaism this is an Audreyism that I still think is so cute. Audrey my niece was having a conversation with my brother Peter [her dad] and he asked her what she wanted to be when she grows up. She replied, "I don't know. What do you want to be when you get little?"

Hopefully this brought a little smile to your face!

Thanks pinterest!

i force myself off pinterest after a bit. otherwise i repin too many things that i know i'll never do. (ok, so maybe i've actually done a couple)





Snicker's popcorn:

and I made these little witches' hats for ava's halloween party at her school; they were the hit of the party!

How mean of a mom are you?

Do you have what it takes to be the "mean mom?"

I'm already told many times throughout the day how I am "So naughty!" And "you're mean!" when I don't let my kids have candy for breakfast, or tell them to apologize to each other for hurting one another. Anyway I love this little thing I came across not too long ago about being the mean mom.


"We had the meanest mother in the whole world!
While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had
to have cereal & eggs, for lunch, we had to eat
sandwiches. And you can guess our mother
fixed us a dinner that was different from what
other kids had, too.

Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all
times. You'd think we were convicts in a prison.
She had to know who our friends were, and what
we were doing with them. She insisted that if we
said we would be gone for an hour, we would be
gone for exactly one hour or less.

We were ashamed to admit it, but she had the
nerve to break the Child Labor Laws by making
us work. We had to wash the dishes, make the
beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do
laundry, empty the trash and all sorts of cruel
jobs. I think she would lie awake at night thinking
of more things for us to do.

She always insisted on us telling the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth. By the
time we were teenagers, she could read our
minds. Then, life was really tough! Mother
wouldn't let our friends just honk the horn when
they drove up. They had to come up to the door
so she could meet them. While everyone else
dated at 12 or 14 we had to wait until we were 16.

Because of our mother we missed out on lots of
things other kids experienced. None of us have
ever been caught shoplifting, vandalizing other's
property or ever arrested for any crime. It was all
her fault. Now that we have left home, we are all
educated, honest adults. We are doing our best
to be mean parents just like Mom was.

I think that is what's wrong with the world today.
It just doesn't have enough mean moms."


I am proud of being the "mean mom" once in a while, because that is just how much I love my kids!

Happy Halloween!

Citizens of Gotham, New York, and Star City,



Never fear, your heroes are here! They have made their official appearance and now you can sleep better at night. And unless you want a pounding, don't rob anyone (or short said heroes of candy).

Showing off major muscles

On Halloween night (it was freezing here!) They were both wearing many layers under their costumes

John's costume

I was so glad I was able to make Ava and John's costume. It was very fun for me. As for Kael, his spiderman would have been a disaster if I attempted to make that. He would seriously look like a sugar cookie gone wrong. Anyway they got way too much candy that will probably end up in their stockings at Christmas.


To sum up everything else very quickly Andre and I had great birthdays. We spent loads of time together as a family which is exactly what we wanted. In between the trunk or treat, random parties, neighborhood stuff, school parties, preschool festivals, etc, I am ready for a year long break until next Halloween. How convenient for me. Oh and Andre left Monday afternoon to live in SC for military stuff, and he leaves in January for Afghanistan.

Bring on the turkey.

Gotta love these back to back posts. I guess I have had a lot happen lately that I want to remember! We recently had visitors come and see us. Andre's father and his wife Rebecca stopped by on the way to and back from New Jersey. The kids had a blast with them. We were able to go to the train museum and that's what all the pics are mainly from. The only drawback was Andre had to work pretty much the whole time they were here.








Kael with Rebecca




Ava in the "hobo train"






This was one of their favorite things, I couldn't get Kael away from it!








Ava chillin in the kid caboose.








This was their kid area. They got to press buttons that activated the trains.









Kael definitely loved it. I know because he rarely smiled or even looked at me. He was just in pure concentration mode the whole time.














What'd I say? Concentration mode.



Ava & Kael in the actual caboose.






Ava way up high on a passenger's seat?







Completely focused. On the floor I guess.




Group picture....minus my face.








Kael in the engine. I was disrupting his conducting.

And this picture is of Ava and her grandpa reading a book.






These two are actually from the night we went to Hubb's corn maze in Clinton. We had so much fun there with some other families from our ward. The kids had a blast doing all the activities they had there. They rode a tractor, went in a little toddler maze, jumped on a giant jumping pillow, climbed tires, and went down giant slides. Of course I didn't get any pictures once we got there! And why can my daughter not have one serious picture??