Catch Up Via I-Phone Pictures

Yet again I am way behind on what we've been up to the past few weeks so I will catch up through I-Phone pictures. 

I feel like Avery and Grayson have changed so much in the past few weeks. As much as I want to keep them babies they continue to show me what independent little children they are becoming. They learn new things ever day and show me how much they are growing in the way they interact with those around them, the words they've begun using, and activities/toys they are becoming interested/obsessed with. They are constantly engaging in pretend play which is so neat to watch. They are always by each others side whether that be playing together, helping each other, enticing each other to get into mischief, or fighting (yes this is definitely already happening). Avery's favorite things are playing make believe with her kitchen, putting animal puzzles together, reading books, and she is slightly obsessed with her baby dolls and Mickey also known as "NeNe". I'm not sure how that name came about but they both call Mickey and Minnie "NeNe" and are obsessed with anything to do with them. Grayson is such a boy and loves his trucks, trains, cars, flashlights (aka "yiy-yiyt"). He is slightly obsessed with balls and also anything Mickey. 

As with all other stages I feel like we've reached a new stage that brings about some difficulties as well as some really neat new discoveries. Grayson was having a pretty rough time there for a bit as he could understand everything being said to him but couldn't quite get out what he wanted to say. When he was frustrated the temper tantrums were thrown every which way possible. He was definitely testing mommy and daddy's patience but I'm happy to say now that he's learned to say so many new things the temper tantrums are far and few between. Thank goodness, because it was so hard to see him so frustrated and not be able to make him happy. On the flip side, hearing them talk to each other and talk to us is one of the neatest things thus far. Seeing how they interact with each other, encourage each other and entice each other is pretty awesome too, even when they are trying to get into mischief. I'd definitely have to say I believe they get into more mischief having each other to join in the fun or egg the other on. Two brains are better than one, right? But most of all, they love to give each other hugs and kisses before bed, they love to hold hands and they are constantly giggling with each other. I can't begin to describe how much those moments melt my heart. They truly make the trying times almost non-existent in my mind. Life is pretty fun these days and we continue to fall more in love with the life we have with each other and our adorable little monkey's.

We have gotten quite a bit of snow in the past few weeks. During our first snow we let them have a little snow ball fight just before bed.

Grayson loves sledding!

Especially when he has his "sissy" with him.

Kevin and I got a night out to attend our good friends, Heather and Jimmy's wedding.

Daddy absolutely loves to wrestle with his little monkey's.

Prime example of mischief. They climbed up on these chairs, reached into the top shelf of the fruit basket to grab two lollipops I didn't remember I had placed there, pulled the wrappers off, and began eating them. Mommy learned to even when they are in the same room while cooking they can still get into trouble.

We met our buddy Grady at the train for our first train ride.

We went to a hotel pool and swam all around.

We love helping mommy cook, and especially love helping her make cookies.

My kitchen cabinet is growing feet.

My sweet little man just before his much needed haircut.

Visiting Bet and being super good during his haircut.

Avery loves some selfies, especially with Aunt Suz.

Monkeys...

Not so happy with the husband putting Ellie in the crib, but it was pretty cute. Ellie is tortured on a daily basis these days.

Tour De North Carolina...

My sister was not able to fly east this year so we decided we would finally make the trip as a family of four to North Carolina for Christmas. We've never been able to spend Christmas with all of our parents/grandparents so this was a fun first. Because of this we celebrated "Christmas Morning" early with our kiddos. As official parents playing Santa, Kevin and I spent hours putting together a dream kitchen for Avery and Grayson the night before we had our Christmas. Oh my goodness...not even a knob was on a door. Every single piece, nut, bolt, screw, handle, you name it had to be put together. We were definitely initiated into the 'put your kids Christmas present together the night before' task.

Grayson checking out the Christmas lights

The weekend before Christmas we packed up and headed off on our tour of family all over North Carolina. We stopped in Raleigh on our way down and spent the evening with my parents visiting Santa and having dinner. Then we drove the rest of the way to Winston Salem and spent a couple of days visiting between Kevin's dad and step-mom and his mom. On Christmas Eve we headed back to Raleigh to spend the day with my parents to wake up and have Christmas morning with them. Christmas afternoon we packed up again and headed for Lake Ewharrie to celebrate Christmas at Kevin's Aunt Anita's beautiful home with his dad, step-mom, cousins, their kids, and aunt and uncle. That night we settled back into Winston before taking off the next morning for our final stop in Lumberton with his moms family. We stayed there until Saturday before making the trek back to our home sweet home.

I was beyond impressed with Avery and Grayson and their ability to handle bouncing from place to place, living out of a bag, sleeping in pack n plays, and spending LOTS of time in the car. We successfully celebrated 5 Christmas' in a week, saw almost all of our family and managed to make lots of fun memories. However, we are beyond exhausted and think we might have to stay put next year and hope everyone can come to us!

On our way to NC we stopped off at my mom's mall to visit Santa and let him know what Avery and Grayson wished to have for Christmas. It went exactly as I had expected. However, in the line they kept waving at Santa and saying Ho Ho Ho. The moment I put them on his lap they freaked. The second I got them off they looked at him waved and said, "Bye Bye Santa". It was quite hilarious!

Christmas morning with my parents (Granddady and Nana)

Christmas night at Kevin's Aunt Anita's house in Lake Ewharrie, NC.

Avery loved Aunt Anita's nut cracker so much she kept giving him kisses

Christmas dinner in Lumberton, NC.

NC Barbecue with my Aunt Pat in Lexington, NC

Playing the piano with Nana Hatcher

They had SO much fun with Uncle Austin

Avery's new hobby is taking pictures and asking everyone to say, "sheeze".

While in Raleigh we fit a quick visit in with mommy's friend Courtney.

There were lots of naps in the car.

Christmas night in Lake Ewharrie, NC with our second cousins Edward and Lily.

Avery is slightly obsessed with her baby dolls and got a very special cradle from Nana Hatcher.

Grayson is such a boy and loves his trucks!

Our Christmas dinner at Gigi's house. She made Avery and Grayson their very own little table to sit at and enjoy their salad and dinner.

They loved spending quality time in Lumberton, NC with their Great Grandady Sutton.

They had a blast running around the Sutton farm.

They even got to play on and ride the tractor around the property.

This girl was mighty happy with all the eating we did throughout the week.

Love her little pig tales. She now asks for two bows so this is how we do it.

I got a little shooting practice in...

Grayson enjoyed inspecting all of the rocks and dirt.

We had such a great time and couldn't believe how quickly our visit to NC was over. We truly miss our family more than words and cannot wait to see everyone again soon.  This was the best Christmas Kevin and I have ever had seeing how much fun it is to play Santa and watch Christmas through Avery and Grayson's little eyes. I have a feeling next year will be even more exciting!