Fragile

Dad I took this picture especially for you. Be very careful it is FRAGILE!!!

Merry Christmas~ Happy Birthday Jesus

Opening up Our Christmas Gifts!

Thanks to Eric and Monique we are going to enjoy some Starbucks!!
Averie got a Art pad that looks like pictures frames. Great for our little artist

The one thing she asked for. A Unicorn Pillow Pet!

Our family game...Operation! Danton told me he had always wanted it but never had it. I never knew.

Proof that boxes are always funner

Averie's very own calendar from Nanny and Papa

Linconln's new Radio Flyer Rocket

More gifts. Notice Lincoln doesn't want to get off the new Rocket to open his gift!!

Still not wanting to get off.

Sugar Cookie, candle, Happy Birthday Jesus = A Very Merry Christmas.

I think Danton put it the best this year.

After it was all over on Saturday he told me that it really didn't feel like Christmas this year. He told me that was because it wasn't stressful at all. Isn't that how it is supposed to be?

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas Eve at Nanny and Papas

We had such a great Christmas Eve. My wonderful mom made a turkey dinner and all the fixings and we enjoyed some very good relaxing family time.

Papa reading the Christmas story
Getting ready to open a present at Nanny and Papas

Averie got Labrynth Jr. I don't know who liked it more Daddy or Averie

Mr. Lincoln got some fun tub toys

Mr. Lincoln's new facial expression. I absolutely love it.

A little bit of Auntie Kate from Afar!!!

We made an agreement that we could open Auntie Kate's package on Christmas Eve. I have to say she did a GREAT JOB. EVERYTHING was a HUGE hit!!!

Unloading the Big box to distribute the loot!!
Lincoln eagerly anticipating what his gift is

He wanted to get back in the box and get mailed back to say "Thanks Auntie Kate:"!

Notice his hands. He is signing BALL. Mr. Lincoln loves balls

One picture with all her gifts.

Sorry there are no pictures of Mom and Dad and their gifts. But we loved them.

Thanks again Auntie Kate and Larry.

Christmas Program and Gingerbread House Fun

Averie's Christmas Program at her school. We enjoyed some singing by the kids and then got to go make some gingerbread houses.

Nanny and Lincoln are so excited for the program
Sitting Pretty in in her new Chrismas dress

Her amazing teacher Mrs. Pears

Nanny helping Averie make her GingerBread House.

The finished product!!!

We are now on Christmas break. And I am sure I won't be saying this every year, but I was very excited for it. I think she needed the break. And I think I did too!!

Classic Photos

I don't think this needs a lot of explanation. Doesn't' everyone have a pictures of themselves doing this.

Oh Hey mom!!! What's ya doing?

Christmas with Averie

Again this may be funnier to me than you but here it is.

Averie~Mom why am I the only one with a HUGE present under the tree. I have so many presents and a HUGE one.
Mom~ I don't know Averie...Maybe that big one is supposed to be for me. I don't have ANY presents under the tree
Averie~ Mom you are supposed to put the presents under the tree don't you remember, Christmas is really about giving not receiving.
Mom~ Then what are you giving me Averie
Averie~ Well... I am going to get you a piece of paper. And maybe I will write I Love You on it~
Mom~Thanks Averie
Averie~ Your Welcome.

Did You Know?

A week ago Shane came to see us because of a cancelled flight to Chicago. And while he was here this idea came to me. You will understand why when you read this. After a comment from him I realized I always share things about the kids and even and I don't often share things about myself. So here are some things you may not know about me.



1. I was adopted and God put me in the best family ever! The funny part is growing up no one beleived I was adopted.

2. I play the piano and started playing in 3rd grade. I may not have the details correct but this is what I remember. At the beginning of the year my family sat down to talk about something we each wanted to do in the new year. I said I wanted to play the piano and my parents bought a piano and signed me up for lessons. Given the fact that most kids give up instuments quickly I am impressed that they went through with it. And in the long run I am glad because I enjoy the piano still to this day I find it very relaxing to play. Thanks mom and dad!

3. If I could do anything for a week or so I would love to be part of a singing group that got to travel and perform.

4. I HATE math and that is probably okay because math HATES me.

5. I love MY birthday. I am known to talk about my birthday and remind people for a good month before. I LOVE my birthday. April 14th just in case you needed a reminder!!!

6. I enjoy my families birthday ALMOST as much as mine. It is such a downer when the day is almost over and I know I have to wait a whole year for it to come again.

7. Per my conversation with Shane, this is what started the post. I think he was suprised to find out I have a Fantasy Football Team. The team is really because of my dad. He started the league so that the Lansers could partake in some good Healthy competition. And initially Danton was the one invited to join and so his name got put on the team but I really ran it. Now I have the name and I run it.

8. When I started this blog Danton told me that I didn't have the time and thought it was crazy. If you read this blog you should tell him!!! Now he constantly hears from people who read my blog and they tell him how much they enjoy it. He is now glad that I do it.

9. I love sun. LOVE IT!

10. I fall asleep during most all movies. Doesn't really matter what time of day or the amount of coffee I drink.

11. I love coffee. LOVE IT! I especially love it when I can enjoy a cup with Danton in the mornings.

12. My favorite color is Red.

13. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Not cereal. A good breakfast. Eggs, bacon, oatmeal...oh and coffee.

14. I absolutely love being a wife and mom. I may not always be the best at it some days, but I enjoy it more than anything.

15. Christmas is my favorite holiday. It just makes me sad that people don't want to or feel as though they can't say Merry Christmas anymore. So to everyone I wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

DVD

Okay so this may not be as funny to you as it was us but here it is.

The other night on the way home from Nanny and Papas' Averie had a question. "Wouldn't it be weird if at a spelling bee they asked you to spell the word DVD, you would just have to say DVD...DVD...DVD". I know that would NEVER be a word in a spelling bee but, I thought it was pretty clever for a little 5 year old...and funny.

Mr. Lincoln

What is he up to lately? Some is good and some is bad!

Lincoln is for sure our cuddly kid. I love it when he first wakes up and he just sits in your lap and lays his head on your shoulder. He also thinks he needs to be held ALL the time. Obviously that doesn't happen unless he is at Nanny and Papa's house!!! He is everyones little shadow and walks around with his hands in the air to be held.

Lincoln LOVES to get and give kisses. I love it. On the flip side if Lincoln knows he is doing something wrong or found something he knows he shouldn't play with, he will come up and give you a kiss thinking that will fix his situation. How do they learn than so early.

He is becoming very good at signing. Here are some of his favorites...dad, want, more, eat, cracker, dog. He knows the word NO, but he seems to ignore that one. He is talking a little more as well. He has also put two words together. Bye Dada! He loves to say Bye and Hi. Sometimes it is just a game for him. He will get on his little car and pretend he is going bye bye. Or he will just come up to and say Hi and then give you a kiss.

He loves to dance. And I have to say he is pretty cute too! He still loves water and baths.
He is getting good at his tempers. He loves to brush his own teeth. He loves to drink water out a big boy cup all by himself. Not much goes in his mouth but he is pretty proud of himself. He loves his silky and paci! He doesn't think he needs to sleep through the night yet, mommy does not love that. He loves yogurt! He loves balls. He loves to play in mommys plants, mommy does not like this. He loves to play with his sisters art stuff, his sisters does not love that.
He loves to climb and go down the stairs. He is getting pretty good. Sometimes he even stops to clap for himself!!!

I am sure there is a lot more I can add about Mr. Lincoln. But that is what I came up with today. Overall, he is a great little boy with a good laugh and lots of love. He can be a little stinker and give you a good run around. But good or bad he loves to give kisses!!!

Our Little Artist

If you have spent anytime around Averie you would know that she LOVES to draw. I maybe biased but I think she is pretty good too.
I thought this would be a good way to share with everyone some of her work. Just so you know she did all these free hand from her memory or by looking at a picture.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Dora

Princess Tianna~ Princess and the Frog

Averie- Elfed herself

An owl in a tree

Averie also loves Ballet so she drew herself at Ballet School

We have this picture in black and white in our room and she drew it and made hers colored!

She colors or draws several pictures a day. So, I will update with new ones occasionally.

Her teacher has even told her she could be an author and illustrator when she gets older.