Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Avery's 1st football game

 This past Saturday Avery attended his first football game, Nebraska vs. Texas A&M.  We made the three hour trek to College Station for a game that started at 7:00 p.m.  Avery was a trooper for the car ride up to Texas A&M and back to San Antonio, devouring snacks the boys purchased at "Bass Pro Shop", including pork rinds.  Once at the game he had many questions about the band, the field, the players, the male yell leaders, the food, and any new sight that caught his eye.  He stood with the Husker fans almost the entire game and did a great job cheering, yelling "Go Big Red" lots of times.  Although the Huskers lost we enjoyed our first and last game at Kyle Field, and can't wait to attend future Husker games with our little man. 

Grand Person's Day 2010

 This past Thursday was "Grand Person's Day" at Avery and Amelia's school.  This is a day when students ask someone special in their lives to come and see what it is they do while in the classroom.  Both Oma and Opa shared tales from each classroom.  Our favorite was shared by Avery’s classroom assistant Ms. Alex, who told Opa that when she asked Avery if his grandparents were attending “Grand Person’s Day”, he replied “no”, but explained that his Oma and Opa would be coming.   

The Trophy

Saturday marked the last game of Avery's first soccer season.  When asked if he enjoyed soccer his reply was always, "I don't like wearing shin guards and tall socks, but it's OK."  However, something special happened at the last game that changed his usual reply to, "I REALLY like soccer!", and that "something special" was receiving a trophy.  I will never forget the look on Avery's face when the coach gathered the Jaguar soccer team together, calling each child's name one by one, and then handing them their very own trophy.  The look on his face was sheer bliss, excitement, and awe all wrapped up into one giant smile.  Avery and his trophy were inseparable for the next couple of days, until he selected a special spot in his bedroom to better admire his prize.

Audrey is 11 months!

Wow, Audrey is 11 months today.  I can't believe in 4 short weeks she will be 1!!!  It's amazing, I feel like her first 11 months have been a flash before my eyes.  This little girl is so sweet.  She is a very content baby, but can be loud when competing for attention.  I reported at 8 months that she was a good eater, and she is, however, she is very particular about the texture and consistency of her food.  Unless, it's pureed to a very fine pulp, she won't eat it.  Therefore, all of my homemade baby food has been rejected.  Luckily, I have two older kids who love eating what my youngest has snubbed, so my cooking efforts aren't a total waste.  Regardless, of Audrey's palette, I am persistent and will continue to expand her "texture hangup" on my homemade cuisine.  At 11 months Audrey enjoys waving, receiving big hugs from her sister before nap time (Amelia always calls her "my Audrey"), mimicking sounds started by her big brother, and joining in on the chaos in her own special way....making sure she doesn't go unnoticed.

She rides in a stroller very well and is always observing her older siblings.

Recently, Audrey has been laying on the floor for short periods of time, while taking breaks from crawling.

She enjoys pulling herself up on the furniture and playing peak-a-boo. 

Our dishwasher has a somewhat reflective surface and Audrey adores looking at her reflected image.

This is my Audrey, my 11 month old baby girl.  I love you!

Halloween Fun 2010

What can I say about this holiday except....fun...fun...fun!!!!  That's right we had FUN.  The kids had fun picking out their costumes.  Additionally, they had fun getting into character.  Our family had fun at the Brown's 3rd Annual "Boo Bash." Avery and Amelia had fun tearing up the neighborhood trick or treating.  Shane and I had fun watching Avery and Amelia having fun.  Lastly, Audrey had fun batting her long, luscious eyelashes at every adult who looked her way.  And we look forward to having fun next Halloween!

Audrey didn't really have a costume, she has a Halloween outfit.  Therefore, we told neighbors that she was dressed up as "cute" for her first Halloween.

One of the perks of living in San Antonio, Texas is the almost guaranteed warm weather on Halloween.  And because of this specific perk almost every neighborhood is having an outdoor block party (The Brown's Boo-Bash).  Additionally, throwing out the weather factor means limitless costume choices.  Lastly, we can walk around after dark with out wearing coats, while adults sit outside their houses in lawn chairs handing out candy.  For a native Texan this is standard, for a native Nebraskan this is heaven!  However, I must not forget that we live in an awesome neighborhood, where is seems like everyone gets into the spirit!  From adults with beverage wagons, to outdoor Halloween decorations, with little ones decked out in their Halloween best, Oakwood is a festive neighborhood and a big part of the reason we had so much fun.

Avery and Amelia had a great time playing in the bouncy castle, however Audrey felt otherwise.

There were so many kids with so many cute costumes!

This is Amelia's friend Luca.  He is such a nice boy and held Amelia's hand trick-or-treating for at least 5 houses in a row...what a sweetie.

 Avery was curious about this girl's costume, as was I, so I encouraged him to ask her "what she was."  I was betting on Jane Fonda, however, she was going for a "Jazzercise Instructor" look.  Amelia is standing next to "Elvis", aka "Butch" a neighborhood friend.

I have to be honest, it was hard catching a picture of our knight (Avery) trick or treating.  His goal was to collect as much candy, as fast as possible, and the "slow princess" really cramped his style.  However, when the night was over, and he could see his bag was filled to the top with candy, a smile of accomplishment crept across his face.

Amelia LOVED being a princess, loved wearing princess jewelry, loved having princess hair, loved her sparkly princess shoes, and loved wearing a princess tiara sooooo much it didn't matter how much candy she collected, being a princess was much sweeter.