Behind the Scenes

Here is what really happened when Ava met Santa. Classic….

Santa Claus and the Kiddos

This year we took the kids to the Yankee Candle Factory for their annual visit with Santa. We started off with a delicious dinner at Carrabba's with Mariner and Grady, then over to see the big man. It was a long wait, but worth it (I think). Wyatt was so overwhelmed by everything, especially the toy trains, that he was totally beside himself and the second Ava's butt hit Santa's lap she burst in to tears. Once the two of them calmed down a bit we captured a few nice moments. Wyatt proclaimed to Santa that he wanted a firetruck. Christmas tradition - Check - Mission accomplished.

Wyatt's First Christmas Play

Wyatt's preschool had a Christmas play for all the children in his school. Wyatt made his theatrical debut as the camel, and what a cute camel he was!

Day Out with Thomas & Then Some...

For Wyatt's birthday this year we decided to try something a little different. An adventure in lieu of a party. Wyatt is OBSESSED with trains! All things puffing, chuffing and chugging thrill him. What better way to let him explore this passion than to visit Strasburg, PA for a Day Out with Thomas. The day began very early on Saturday as Mommy, Daddy, Mariner, Grady & Ava piled in with the birthday boy and headed north. 4 hours later we met Mimi (the-great), Granma, Papa, Aunt Jenny, Aunt Jackie, Lil'Chris, Cameron, Callie, Aunt Darla and Mary at Issac's for some of the best deli sandwiches we've ever had! Then it was on the the main event...

They had all kinds of activities to keep the kids excited as they waited for our turn to ride Thomas. Push cars, mini trains and gift shops. Not to mention the real steam engines moving around us.

The Thomas ride was short, but worth it for Wyatt. He had his nose glued to the glass the whole time. On the way out Granma snagged a small piece of coal from the train and Wyatt has treasured it ever since. He tells me "this is a real piece of coal from the real Thomas!" After the train Jackie and I stood in line with the kids to see Sir Topham Hat, it was freezing, the kids were cold and tired and OMGosh when we finally made it to see the man he had a scary, big, plastic head costume on and Wyatt was too scared to even go near him!

One major melt down later (Wyatt) and we were on our way to the hotel. I booked us a few rooms at the Best Western near by. It was so neat driving there as we passed by many Amish farms and people riding in their horse drawn buggies. Dinner was at the Red Caboose. The service was less than great, but Wyatt loved it and as much as I wished we'd skipped this all together, he talks about it all the time now that we are home. The simplest things always seem to make the biggest impression on that kid.

That night back at the hotel room we celebrated the birthday boy! The grandmothers came through with Thomas the Train decorations and cake! Then it was pool time to work off all that sugar. After a full day all the kiddos crashed, except Ava. She'd had a little cat nap after dinner and at about 11pm decided that she had all the sleep she needed. UGH! John took her until 1:30am, then I had her until 3:30 when she FINALLY fell asleep.

During that time me and my restless baby went out to the lobby. As I strolled down the hallway (in my pajamas and looking a hot mess) the night desk attendant popped out. A nice older man who clearly thought I was a teenager out to cause some trouble until he realized it was just us. This nice guy turned on the lobby TV and the fireplace, brought out some oatmeal cookies and a high chair for Ava - what a God send this was. We talked for a moment until he went back to the desk. A few moments later the same guy re-appears wearing a black, leather cowboy hat, jacket, motorcycle gloves and sunglasses. What??? He then sat down with us and began reciting "A Monster at the End of this Book" in the voice of Elmo. I'll never know who looked more confused, Me or Ava. But yeah, that happened!

The next day started with a yummy continental breakfast then off to the Toy Train Museum. I have to say, it was pretty cool! Shelves and shelves of toy trains then a huge room of animated, moving trains that the kids could touch buttons beside to make displays move or light up.

Wish I had more to say after this, but the weather outside was 22 degrees and the wind was harsh so we all decided to call it a day and head for home. One day I'd love to take the kids back to the Railroad Museum to see the real, life size trains and a tour of one of the Amish farms, but that will have to wait for another adventure!

Thank you to all the family that came with us. We love you!

____

On Wyatt's real birthday he got a special birthday/Christmas gift from Marnier and Grady… His first job with his new car was to take the pumpkins out in to the woods for the deer to eat. Looks like this may come in handy for all of us!

Happy Halloween

Yes... I am posting Halloween pictures on Thanksgiving. This is what happens when life happens! We've had a good fall, but there have been sick kids, sick parents, and a few crazy days in between. So, now that I have the day off I'm trying to catch up.

This Halloween we walked the plank with a Pirate and a Parrot! 

Mariner (or should I say the Grand-Mummy) joined us for trick-or-treat. After taking pictures in front of our pirate's ship we loaded the kiddos up in the back of the truck and headed out around the neighborhood. This is the first Halloween here in Deerlake, so we weren't real sure what to expect. We were so happy to see that our neighbors seemed to really embrace the holiday. Wyatt and Ava filled their pumpkins in no time and everyone was so nice.

Party Time for the Princesses!

On September 28th we celebrated Ava's 1st birthday and Callie's 3rd with a princess extravaganza! Pink and purple ruled the day at Granma and Papa's house. The girls wore coordinating t-shirts and tutus courtesy of Aunt Jenny. The whole family chipped in decorating and preparing food for the girl's big day. It always amazes me what this bunch is capable of pulling together. I can't thank everyone enough for making it special for these two princesses!

Wyatt's First Trip to the ER - Ouch!

You know those days when go to bed and think to yourself, "didn't see that coming"...

I'd only been at work a 2 hours when my phone rang, "The Stand" (Wyatt's Preschool) showed up on my caller ID - my heart sank... this is never good. The voice on the other end told me in a slightly panicked voice. "Wyatt fell, he hit his head, he's bleeding and we can't get it to stop, the ambulance is on its way."

I dropped everything and ran to my car. I didn't know what to expect, so in an attempt keep cool I used the time in the car to called the pediatrician to see where I should take him for stitches. They tell me they can't do it at their office and I'll need to go to an ER. Oh no!

I got to the school about 10 minutes after getting the phone call. I didn't want Wyatt to see me upset, so I pulled myself together and walked in to find him sitting between two teachers and surrounded by 4 paramedics. "Wow" I said to Wyatt, "look at all the people here to see you!" Wyatt jumped right in to my lap and sat while the guys took a closer look. I have to say, this is the first time I've ever seen that much blood on Wyatt. I was shook up by it. But as they cleaned him up a bit it really wasn't that big, just deep, very deep.

Sorry if you find it yucky - but this is what it was.

Turns out he tripped over his own two feet and fell in to the corner of the door.

After getting the clearance to leave, I decided to drive Wyatt to the ER myself rather than have him go in the ambulance. We went to South Side, because it was the closest. John met us there. They took us right to a private room, and that's where we sat for hours!

Waiting at the ER

If you've ever tried to keep a toddler calm, still and in one spot for any length of time then you know what we were up against. Thank heavens for smart phones that stream YouTube videos of monster trucks and trains or I don't think we could have survived the wait. Finally, the nurse came in and put a numbing liquid on the eyebrow. Wyatt screamed! It was so hard to know that they were hurting him, but that it had to be done. After another hour or so a Physicians Assistant came to do the stitches.

Wyatt was swaddled like a baby in a sheet to help keep him still. Then the nurse held his head while I hugged him tight to keep his arms down, John held down his legs. I have never heard a cry like what he did as the PA began to sow. It literally broke my heart. Wyatt didn't understand why I was letting these people hurt him so badly, he wailed and begged us to stop. I kept trying to talk to him through the tears, asking him what his favorite ice cream was and reminding him that he'd get some at home. 4 stitches later, they were done! Out we went, $100 co-pay at the door on the way out and off we went.

Home Bound!

When we got home I made him the longest train track I possibly could put together. He was happy. Then a surprise came to the door. Granma and Papa sent a balloon, a bear and a bag of Kit-Kats. It was almost like Wyatt had completely forgotten about the drama of the morning as he ate his candy bar and other than the band aid over his eyebrow you'd never have know it either.

He got the stitches out 6 days later and took it like a champ! Now he has a scab that we hope will heal soon.

As they say in the movie The Replacements:

"Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory... lasts forever"

The day he had his stitches out - all better!

Happy 1st Birthday Ava Lynn

"525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear. 525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee. In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife... Seasons of love." 

What a year our family has had. I don't feel like it's been that long. Yet I find it hard to remember what our family was like without Ava'bean. In one year we've built a house, welcomed Ava, moved and celebrated countless milestones. John and I are so proud of her every day. She sat back with a stoic expression observed us in our blur of activity. Wyatt keeps her entertained with his endless action. Now after months of watching our little girl has found her feet and personality, watch out world Ava's on the move. Her smiles and laughter fill my heart with love. We are so blessed.

First Birthday - At home with Wyatt & Daddy for the day.
Then Mommy, Marnier & Grady gathered for presents and cake!

1 Year Check Up = 97% for height, 50% weight, 75% head

Happy Birthday baby girl! We love you!