Happy Thanksgiving

I hosted Thanksgiving for the first time in our new home.  Cook, clean, eat.   Cook, clean, eat. Although it was definitely busier hosting the holiday, I felt a new sense of maturity so to speak.  It was our first combined family holiday, and we were lucky to have my brother and his family visiting the week prior to Thanksgiving.  Maddie is now 7 months (and such a great, easy-going baby!) and Sophie is only 5 weeks older than Audrey.  The girls spent the week dressing up in princess (and Spiderman) costumes.   Both girls loved on baby Maddie, and Audrey was very sweet and gentle with her.

I sent the boys and the kids to the park in on Thanksgiving morning (a 60 degree afternoon) - to get the house toys back in order.

And, Grandpa Bean thinks he's young enough to try the spinner  . . :)

The boys came back to take charge of the turkeys (yes, we had 2!)  

Looking forward to celebrating many more combined holidays in our new home.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Little "Stink Eye"

Audrey is now 2 1/2!  She is so full of life and we are so thankful this little ball of energy was given to us!  She is one of many facial expressions, but this one is by far her favorite.  Nana titled this expression, The Stink Eye, and this face comes out on command (because we love to laugh at it), when she says, "NOT FAIR!," or when she's dancing with daddy to one of her favorite songs, "Breaking the Law." 

A few milestones/memories about this 2 1/2 year old.  

Audrey:

• LOVES gymnastics.  It seems she has a natural gift/strength in this sport.  She flips, jumps, and swings all day - every day.  

• has a very sensitive nose.  Whenever she smells anything "stinky" she blames it on Daddy or Stella!

• loves her "cheetah" shoes and pink cowgirl boots - but prefers to be barefoot whenever possible.

• has a stubborn streak a mile wide.  

• loves to laugh - has the goofiest fake laugh when others are laughing.

• has her famous catch phrase, "I do it myself." (usually said with the stink eye face).

• follows her big sister everywhere- mimicking everything Alice does.  

• loves to put on dance shows for a crowd.  

• is quiet and pensive in "time-out" (which she visits often).

• loves Tinkerbell, Spiderman, her baby doll, and her two blankets.  

• doesn't eat fruit or vegetables.  

• loves flashlights and whistles.

• loves to be outside, playing in the grass.

• has several favorite songs she loves to sing including, "Somebody I Used to Know" by Goyte, "We are Never, Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift, "Baby" by Justin Bieber, "Jingle Bells," and of course her all time favorite, "Hey Diddle Diddle."

• hides from others by covering up her face with her hands (hey- if she can't see herself, then others surely can't see her).  

• has finally grasped the concept (fingers crossed) that crayons, pens, and pencils are to be used on PAPER ONLY!

• still refers to herself as "Pickle" 

We sure love our little 2 1/2 year old stink eye!