Sunday, November 25, 2012

Tricks or Treats

Here's our tradition of showing costumes to Great-Grandma and then visiting a few houses with Aunt Linda.
These ghostbusters at our ward party were amazing!
Here's the tradition at Uncle Ron's costume party for the kids to find a prize in the giant pile of leaves.

This photo caught Tessa in a funny moment, but it works!
Grandma Teresa even had a cute little outfit for Leisel that matched her cousin!
Ghoulish treats Jordan wanted for his birthday, cupcakes with a mini-donut eyeball.

October Birthdays...

Whew!  The boys' birthdays came again and we celebrated! 
They never mind sharing the party with each other....especially when they get to have cake two times anyway -- once with both sides of the family. 



Some Ave Friends

We haven't been able to keep up with all the neat people our family has met during our moving around the country.  But last month we were able to reunite with a few friends from law school.  I got a picture of a few of the get-togethers.  It's nice when we get the time to re-kindle relationships! 
temple square with Inez
These cute girls are growing up!
I think these boys were four when they met!  They still have lots of fun together. 

Fall Festivity

We were glad to find a farm close to us with all the fun fall activities.  
It is a favorite family tradition for our favorite time of year!






Our Tessa

Tessa is three now!  She loves birthdays and reveled this September in her own.  (Yes, my posts are backed up a few months again.) 

Tessa is a very fun, active, and strong-willed girl.  She loves being a girl and thinks anything that is glittery and pink is meant for her.  She is adventurous, outgoing, and independent.  Her enjoyment with dancing, singing, jumping, sliding, tumbling, bike riding etc. is delightful.  Often her overflowing energy precludes her need for sleep.... 

Tessa also loves playing with her brothers.  She has made many of her own lego creations and does a good imitation of sound effects for light sabers.  She follows Jordan's example in her imaginative play, and this summer started enjoying drawing and crafting too.  I find her sitting to "read" books for longer periods of time too.  I really welcome the prospect of quieter activities consuming her attention. 

Recently she has taken the step to using the big girl potty.  Her language is advancing too, and it is fun to see her vocalize all her thoughts.  Tessa loves all the special people in her life, especially cousins and Grandmas.  She says that when she grows up she wants to be a mom. 

We love her very much and look forward to another wonderful year! 







Saturday, October 13, 2012

Quadrilateral


The kids love to visit with Leisel and hold and help her.  I love to see them make relationships with her.  She responds to and recognizes them.  I love most to see the adoration in their faces.  I wanted to try to capture that.
  
proud, protective, big brother
 



Tessa asked for weeks before Leisel arrived, "When is my baby going to come?"  She really wanted "her baby to be in her family."  Then she tried to count all her fingers and told me, "I want handfuls of babies, mom."
 


just what we prayed for

Minnie and Winnie


Right at first, Leisel seemed to change everyday.  (I guess that is my excuse for taking lots of photos.)  Here are a few:




Day 4 -- first bow (Jordan kept saying she could be a boy without it.)


Day 8 -- I know it is cheesy but I had to put the Minnie lovey in

It has been love at first sight.  Leisel is a wonderful, sweet baby.  She has been growing well and is healthy and strong....many blessings to be thankful for.
We spent the first week getting to know each other, mostly feeding and resting.  Leisel got to meet lots of family members who came to visit.  Then we have gradually added a few more things in each week: maintaining the house, getting the other kids out and about to the usual activities, preparing food again, squeezing in a shower and maybe doing my hair.... 
I have been working to keep my expectations each day to a minimum so that I can enjoy the moments and not stress about undone projects. 
This next picture shows the perfect peace in those treasured moments of sleep.  How can you ask for more?!
  
Day 10 -- I love this sweet outfit with the Winnie the Pooh applique