Yesvember it is!

Ava is such a crack-up. Everyday it astounds me what she knows and is learning. Okay, so today, we were in Sam's club shopping, we passed the "birthday cake section" and Ava screamed..."It's my birfday, I want a birfdaycake!" With all the recent talk of birthdays, (mine on Jan. 5th, Scott and Harrison's on the 7th) birthdays are on the tip of her brain...obviously. So I say to her, "Ava, your birthday is in November, can you say November?" she copies me and we practiced a couple of times. A few minutes later she looks up and says, "Not NOvember, YESvember!" I had to have her repeat what she said because I couldn't believe she made that connection. I tried to explain to her that November was the "name" of that month and gave her examples of the other months, but she would have nothing to do with it. So thus, Ava's birthday from here on out is...YESvember 24th! She kills me!

What the Heaven? HARRY'S SEVEN!

Our little guy is not so little any longer. It absolutely kills me to put him into the "big boy" catagory now. I realize he's still young, but he's my first and I can feel myself requiring more of him and expectations are greater as he gets older... I suppose that is the way it is supposed to be. We haven't had a party yet, I'll do that at the end of January. But I did bring these "transformer" cupcakes to his school on his actual birthday. (Jan. 7th)

I get so emotional thinking of how his coming into my life (our lives ofcourse) but me as his mother has changed who I am and how I see the world around me. I remember after I had him, I felt like blinders had been removed from my eyes. The love I had for every child around me suddenly grew because my heart had learned to love in a way that was completely inconceivable to me. Through Harrison I've been able to see the world through the eyes of a child, and he's taught me so much about pure love and pure sweetness. This kid is something else! I'm so glad that he is our first child because he's such a wonderful example of how to be, and I'm so glad he's mine!


Seven Reasons we love Harrison:

1) He is pure...Scott compares him to Nathaniel of old, he has no guile.

2) This child can laugh! He has such a great sense of humor and laughs so easily and heartily.

3) He is so patient. Anyone that spends any time watching he and Ava together calls him a saint!

4) He is accepting. Doesn't matter if you're green, blue haired, cross eyed, or clinically crazy, this kid will love you up and appreciate you no matter what. He is a friend to all.

5) He is sensitive. You can explain anything to him in terms of how it makes someone feel and he will make sure he doesn't hurt anyone's feelings. He is very empathetic.

6) He is wild. Some days this could drive any sane human to jump off a bridge, but this kid is crazy!

7) He is completely uninhibited. He would greet you at the door tomorrow singing at the top of his lungs completely naked and not bat an eye.



Thank you Harrison for being you. We wouldn't want you any other way. You are perfect in our eyes!

Oh! HOLY NIGHT!!!!

A little hockey...



A little wrestling...



A little lovin'...

The grandkiddies: Ava, Max, Andy, Harry, Regan





A little blasphomy??? (Our manger scene, heaven help us all...we laughed so hard we cried!)





Hope you all had a great Christmas! Ours was wonderful and white in Calgary, Alberta, Canada...did I mention we were all sick every last one of us the entire time??? But despite everyone feeling a little under the weather we still managed to find time to be immature and crazy, eat great, gain weight all absolute musts at any "Sniderpalooza". Every night was a late one with lots of deep meaningful conversations, tons of laughing, cracking great jokes that only we get for sure, and ofcourse, guitar playing and loud singing! Loved it all! Here are just a few pictures.

Ava is 3..YIPEE!

Our little Princess turned 3 on November 24th. And as per usual, I was not on the ball enough to have her party on or near her birthday, I finally had it today. Actually, I've got to give myself credit...Harry didn't have his first birthday until he was 4! She told me she wanted everything pink and princess and by darn that's what we did! She HAD to wear her worn out princess costume and her princess crown. I just had to smile getting her all dolled up!

TOP 3 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT AVA:
1) Her beauty from the inside out! Everyone notices Ava. Not only because she is truly beautiful but because she is so fun, outgoing, crazy, wild, and sweet. All of that combined just makes her a true beauty!

2) She is a pistol! You never have to wonder where you stand with her or what she wants. She will let you, everyone around you, and their brother's uncle know what she's thinking.

3) Her tender heart. She is the first one on the scene if anyone is crying. She's the best at giving hugs and kisses. Scott loves coming home just to hear her squeal at the top of her lungs and run 90mph straight into his arms.

Having her around is dispells any darkenss, she is the sunshine in our lives. We could not possibly love you more Ava.

Harrison's Christmas Program

I must say that little Harry did a fantastic job at his school Christmas program. He sang every song word for word and with much expression I might add:) Everyone always says how much Scott and Harrison look alike. I can see it too, but the night of this program...I don't know if it was the shirt and tie or what, but it was creepy. He looked like Scott, stood like Scott, sang like Scott, truthfully, it freaked me out!

Here comes Santa Clause!

Can I just say, the kids are beyond pumped about Santa this year? It is so fun now that Ava "gets it" and they can just dream together about the wonder and magic of Christmas. They have come up with some pretty funny stuff. They are always looking for the reindeer "practicing" outside at night. These pictures are from Santa coming to our church building last week. It was so funny to watch Harry and Ava's eyes sparkling waiting their turn to sit on his lap. Harrison had an envelope with a list the size of Texas waiting to give him. When asked what they wanted Harrison said a "quad" and Ava said "pwintheth thtuff" aka princess stuff. It was priceless... and good luck with that Harrison. Hope Santa's elves were extra busy, otherwise that quad is a no go my friend! Watching Christmas through the eyes of a child is priceless!

THANKSGIVING....Thank heavens for Family!!!!

This year we had almost all of Scott's family, a couple of members of my family, as well as my good friend Mariellen for Thanksgiving. It was so much fun! Life would be 100% dull without good friends and family. That along with good health and blessings beyond measure, we definatly had good reason to celebrate Thanksgiving to the fullest this year. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to travel to see us. I still cannot get over how well the kids got along. Harrison was so sad to see his buddy Eli go. They all got along famously! Maybe one day we'll all live closer. It's my dream that I refuse to let go!