A Month of Christmas!

That title is no joke!  We have literally been celebrating Christmas since the first weekend in December!  Our holiday season was very blessed and this year was even more fun to watch the excitement in Avery's eyes than it was last year.  However, her enjoyment ran out near the end!  Hope your holidays were relaxing and you enjoyed time with your families as well! 

Our holiday season always begins with a family outing the night before the Nemer Christmas party.  This is a chance for my dad's mom's side to all get together and party.  (Yes, our family is that big that my grandma's side has their own party!)  It was at a wonderful restaurant and even Santa came to visit.  Both events provide lots of opportunities for Avery's to be loved on!





Sorry Avery, your aunts will put anything on your head!



First gift from Santa



The following week, our little zoo in Bloomington had a night of zoo lights.  We had the chance to go and see the animals at night (many of which were not happy to be awake!) and Avery got to see a couple of Santa's reindeer who were resting up before their big night.  The night then ended with a ride on the merry-go-round!

The night before Christmas Eve, we celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa Glacinski.  Avery sure was spoiled that night!

Of course we have to kiss all the ornaments!



Dancing with my new Rock n Roll Elmo



Helping pass out presents to Papa



A new recliner!!!







Kisses from Ga and Papa




Glasses off....




Glasses on!

<3



Ready for bed!



That night, Santa came to visit our house since we would be in Chicago for Christmas morning.  Avery was so excited to see all those gifts under the tree.  After she opened a couple presents, she was no longer very interested in that activity anymore.  Thankfully mom and dad were more than willing to open up her gifts for her.



Those are for me???



Avery became obsessed with The Elf on the Shelf movie this season.  Thankfully we DVR'd it- or unfortunately!  About 6 times a day she asks for it (usually after finding our Elf) and if we don't respond right away, she brings us the remote and places it in our hands.  So, that morning after finding our elf in the tree, all she wanted was to watch the Elf movie- even though Santa brought her this really cool easel! 

That night we left for Chicago to spend Christmas Eve at my grandma's house.  A fixture at her house is this creepy doll that everyone tries to avoid...except Avery!  She loved her immediately and wanted to carry her wherever she went.  This proved to be difficult since the doll is twice Avery's size! 

Check out those spooky eyes!!!



Then of course there was some silly time with Lucas as the two of them danced around and tackled each other!  Such a lady!

Finally, Christmas Day arrived!  Of course, there were plenty more gifts to open up.  Avery had had enough of this whole opening gifts thing by this point.  She spent a lot of that day crying and miserable.  Maybe it was teething, maybe it was the cold she had, maybe it was all the traveling, people and commotion.  Either way, we managed to get a few good pictures.



My swing from Auntie Ra and Uncle Ralph



Thanks Ga and Papa for the ducks...what else?



My sand and water table from Auntie Ashley

Peek a Boo

Santa brought one last gift to Ga and Papa's house

Christmas dinner at Lucas' and Avery's new table
from Ga and Papa!

Merry Christmas from the Glacinski's!

On Monday before heading home, Aunt Debbie, Aunt Judy and Uncle Rich came to visit with GiGi Johnson.  Unfortunately, by this time, Avery was finished with pictures, finished with people and about done with Christmas!  We got home Monday afternoon and she found the perfect way to unwind and relax. (I love the crossed feet!!)  Happy Holidays everyone!



So Much to be Thankful for!

Each year on Thanksgiving we take a few minutes to think about all of the things we are thankful for.  In reflecting on this, we have so much to be thankful for.  We are so lucky to have such a loving circle of friends and family surrounding us.  We are so thankful that Avery has this now as well.  Of course we are beyond thankful for her and her health.  We truly are so lucky!  I hope that you all took time to think about what you are thankful for as well. 

This year we hosted Thanksgiving for Dave's parents and family friend Jerry.  It was supposed to make Avery getting a nap easier, however, she slept for a little over an hour -she usually sleeps for anywhere between 2- 1/2 and 3- 1/2 hours!  We were a bit concerned.  Luckily, she had plenty of people to spoil, er, play with her! 

Our table was set and dinner was cooking!  We had turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberries and rolls!  Even with 5 adults at the table, we had to put a leaf in the table just to hold all the food!  :)

Since it was so nice outside, Avery spent some time playing outside with Papa and Daddy before dinner.

Then it was time to get the last few items ready for dinner.  Thankfully Avery wanted to help with that too.  Needless to say, all of our rolls had little finger holes in them! 

Time for dinner!  Avery was such a great eater!  She ate a little bit of everything!  Her favorite things were the sweet potatoes, cranberries and rolls. 

Eventually, Avery had enough of dinner.  This is what happened next!  :)

One of Avery's favorite things to do recently is put money in her piggy bank.  Thankfully, Papa and Ga came with change to contribute to her savings! 

Since Papa was still out in the kitchen, Avery brought the pig to him....and found more money to put in the bank!

And then of course, there was some time for dancing on the table. 

Then, Avery worked on her sharing skills! 

Today, we continued the tradition of putting up Christmas decorations.  Luckily for us, Avery slept from 12:15 until 3:45 so we were able to get everything up before she woke up!  She didn't know what to think when she first saw the tree.  I am so excited for this Christmas because she is more aware of what is going on.  Be prepared for lots of pictures to come!

Finally, our friends Shaunna and DJ were home from South Carolina and stopped by to visit.  Avery definitely made some new friends today!! :)

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are looking forward to the upcoming holiday season!