Nutcracker

We took the girls, Kaylee and her mom to see the Nutcracker this year. The girls dressed in their "wedding dresses" again and were so excited! Ava was able to sit through the first half but got a little restless after intermission.

Catalina, Kaylee and Ava

Waiting to go in!

The girls took photos with the Sugarplum Fairy!

Now they all want to be a ballerina!

The Polar Express 2009

We headed to the cabin in Flagstaff on Sat. 12/12/09. 29 inches of snow had just dropped on Flagstaff that week! Todd shoveled the driveway and the girls put their boots on to play in the snow. They started building a snowman on Saturday and finished it on Sunday, before we boarded the Polar Express!

Isn't she adorable??

Shea, Catalina and Ginger play in the snow!

Here is the finished snowman. We went through about 10 carrots because the dogs kept eating them!

The girls are walking to get on the train. ALL ABOARD!

Catalina and Ava wrote their own letters to Santa this year. They brought the letters on the train and gave them to Santa in person. Ava would not put hers down!

Look in Santa's hand at the letters! He loved getting them and thanked the girls over and over. Also notice...no tears this year!

After the train on Sunday night we drove home. The girls went to school on Monday and Todd and I had to work. No rest for the wicked...but it was worth it. Who wants to join us next year? We booked the train for Saturday, December 11th. Papa and Mimi...we missed you!

Shamrock Farms Joy to the Herd

We headed out to Shamrock Farms with Dorothy on Saturday Dec. 5th. The farm was set up with Christmas crafts, carolers, snow, Santa, and gave tours. Dorothy loved it, said it "smelled like home." Of course, Ava gaged as we drove up...not a farm girl. On our tour, we saw the beginning of a calf being born. Because it takes out 1/2 hour, we were unable to stay for the whole birth. Mom was getting nervous too, with all the spectators (ya think?).

Catalina is making sure Santa knows exactly what she wants this year!

This is Roxie, Shamrock Farms puts Roxie on every product.

Grandma started the snowball fight that never ended. At different times, she was able to hit both of the girls in the head with a snow ball! Ava cried, she does not like snow either.

Ahhh, the snow slide! It was so fun.

Ava doesn't like the snow slide either.

But the girls loved Santa this year. In fact, they would not leave him alone.

The last thing we did was face painting. Here the girls are posing with their snowflake, reindeer and flower (Cat wanted a flower). Kaylie is our friend who lives up the street. We carpool with her and she is the sweetest thing. Catalina and her have become best friends.

Next up...pictures from the Polar Express. Flagstaff had 29 inches of snow! The girls only complaint...we miss Papa and Mimi. It was not the same without them (kinda breaks your heart).

Wedding #2

The girls were in wedding number 2 on Saturday night. The stole the show...again!

They walked down all those steps!

Ava dropped petals very sparingly....

Dancing with Daddy!

The girls with Dana and John...the newly married couple!

The Wedding #1

The girls were in Bobby and Erin's wedding this weekend. We had the rehearsal on Weds. night and the wedding was on Friday night. At the rehearsal, the girls practiced two times. The first time, Cat went first and dropped petals while Ava walked behind her, leaned down and placed her petal right next to Cat's. The second run through, Cat dropped her rose petals while Ava picked them up and put them in her basket! We were ready for anything the night of the wedding!

Kathleen bought the girls shirts that said "Flower Girl" for the rehearsal. We are at the salon ready to get our nails done.

Getting ready to walk down the aisle!

The girls did a great job! (The picture of Ava is very blurry!) I walked back to greet the girls as they made their way to the aisle. I found them arguing about who knows what! I sent Cat down but had to direct Ava as she began walking the opposite way. They were adorable and stood up with the wedding party the entire ceremony!

Walking out of the ceremony.

Family picture...maybe a Christmas card this year??

Look Mom...No Training Wheels!

Catalina finally threw away those training wheels!

Wedding....just a couple weeks away!

The girls just received their dresses for the wedding they will be in the day after Thanksgiving. They are getting their hair done and will be carrying baskets full of rose petals. They just may steal the show??!!

This picture was taken just before Ava put started putting stickers on her dress.

Halloween

The girls were princesses for Halloween. We had a party in our driveway again and invited family and friends.

Ariel and Cinderella

Gray carried the girls treat bags while he made his mom carry his. He loves his girls!

Cop and Jailbird

Ava is only wearing one shoe. They are new and light up. Her pinkie toe began to hurt...sometimes beauty causes a little pain Ava!

The Girl's First Music Program

The girl's were in their first music program at school. The preschool and kindergartners sang for a fall program. Ava cried until Catalina arrived and they put the girls together.

Ava spent most of her time singing with her back to the crowd. She would rather watch the other kids sing and I think it helped her remember the songs.

Todd was unable to attend but we have the whole program on video. It was adorable!

The Pumpkin Farm with Ava

Catalina brought Hoppy home from school to spend a couple of days with the Merrill's. The assignment was to play with Hoppy, take pictures of different activities and then write about the adventures! Here is Catalina doing handstands with Hoppy!

Ava and I went to the pumpkin farm last week. Catalina was in school and she already went there with her class. Ava loved the farm. We saw turkeys, pigs, cows, goats and a sheep. She walked through the hay maze, rode a hay ride pulled by a tractor and picked out her own pumpkin. The day was cold (60 degrees) for us Arizonians!

She makes a cute pig!

Ava picked out a "bloody eyeball" for Geramiah. Hope he likes it!