Christmas

Christmas day was wonderful.  It was the first time we stayed home and will probably be a new tradition.  It was nice to not rush to open presents and stockings from Santa because we didn't have somewhere to be.  We enjoyed a relaxing morning and looked forward to Papa & Nonna Kurz coming in the afternoon.

Ava had a great day and got what she really wanted.  Santa brought her "Baby Tiana in a bathtub" and "a penny crayon" (crayon piggy bank).  She also got a bike trailer from Papa & Nonna.  We gave her a variety of themed gifts: Veggie Tales, Cooking, & Cinderella.  Ava was so happy and has been enjoying all her gifts since.

Rich and I also got things we wanted and surprises from Ava.  I got a couple cookbooks and a tortilla press.  My parents gave me a Le Creuset dutch over (complete surprise).  Rich got new wireless headphones and a Star Wars pillow case from me.  My parents gave him "The Cone Wars: Season 4" which he really wanted.  

The sweetest gifts probably came from Ava though.  We each took her shopping alone and let her pick out a gift.  For me she describe the store (Kohl's) she wanted to go to, to Rich, and then took him to the toy section.  Ava picked out a Princess Aurora doll for me.  When I opened it I was surprised.  She said it was for us to play together.  What a sweet girl to pick out a gift that would mean spending time together playing.  It made me feel loved and let me know she likes playing with me.  It feels good to be wanted.

Rich's gift was really special and brought tears to everyone's eyes.  When I asked Ava what she wanted to get daddy, she said, "a brown bear just like mine."  I was a little worried because her bear is almost 4 years old and I wasn't sure if we could find another one.  Luckily, while at Kohl's we happened upon a gift that fit her idea and made her happy.  Ava gave her daddy a little brown teddy bear that came with a book.  This gift was so special because Ava recorded her voice reading the story to Rich.  The story is called, "Do you know how much I miss you?".  It is a sweet story about the love between parent and child.  To hear Ava's sweet voice reading the story to her daddy is priceless and made all the adults in the room tear-up.  I know it will be something Rich treasures.

After opening gifts we enjoyed a Christmas feast.  We had our traditional spaghetti with meatballs, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.  To try something new we made a pork crown roast and green beans with bacon & walnuts.  Oh, and we made deviled eggs upon Ava's request.  For dessert I made our traditional apricot tart, but then strayed by making a chocolate birthday cake.  I decided since Christmas is Jesus' birthday we needed a cake.  Also, I don't like pie and LOVE cake.  It was all tasty and very filling.

For the rest of the day we relaxed, played, and just enjoyed being together.  It really was a wonderful day and great to be with family.

Presents and stockings on Christmas morning.  The tall presents is Ava's giant piggy bank shaped like a crayon.

Filled Stockings and plate of eaten treats proving Santa was here.  On the plate we had a carrot for Rudolph, cheese for Santa Mouse (there is a book about this), and the typical cookies for Santa.  We also had pineapple for Santa.  When I asked Ava what we should leave for Santa, she replied, "Pineapple."

Ava noticing that Santa had a lot of the same wrapping paper that we did.  I guess we shop at the same store that Santa does...wink, wink.

Ava is smiling because she got a singing toothbrush.  Even though, she doesn't know who the Care Bears are she loves the toothbrush.  She is convinced their named the "Camp" Bears and not the Care Bears.

Luca always likes to check out the stockings and look for snacks.

Ava checking the bottom of her GIANT stocking to make sure she didn't miss anything.

Ava and Luca helping Rich open his stocking.  Luca was really interested in the beef jerky Ava just pulled out.

Santa put a Taco Bell gift card in my stocking.  Ava was happy because she knew I would share it with her.  Ava loves to eat "torta cheese" (or cheese rollup/quesadilla) with green sauce.

Ava giving Baby Tiana a bath.

Ava on top of her pile of presents.

Ava is excited to start opening her big pile of presents.

We gave Ava a baking themed gift with a bowl, giraffe whisk, and baking cookbook.  On the bowl we etched a chef's hat and one of Ava's favorite phrases to say while in the kitchen, "I'm the Chef.  You're the cooker."  The cookbook is a Sesame Street baking book she always wanted to checkout from the library.  She was excited to know it was hers and didn't have to be returned to the library.  The first thing she chose to make was cornbread.

We gave Ava a fun pancake cookbook.  It shows how to make pancakes into different shapes.  This picture is of a Unicorn.

Ava got 2 new Italian DVDs.  This one is "The Incredibles" and the other is "Beauty and the Beast."  We enjoy watching Italian movies on Wednesdays when Rich is at Weblos.

To go with some Veggie Tale books and movies I made Ava this man-eating cheese curl.  It is from "The Pirates that Don't Do Anything" movie.  She loved it more than I expected which made up for the bathrobe the night before.

Ava really wanted to open all of the gifts by herself.  She finally gave in to just helping us open our gifts, so we could have fun too.

This is an awesome game the McDowell's gave our family.  I never heard of it before, so I'm glad they thought of it.  We have really enjoyed playing as a family.

This is the special Princess Aurora doll Ava gave me.

This tortilla press from Rich put a big smile on my face.  I have been wanting one for a couple years.  Ava was pretty happy too and said she would help me make tortillas.

This one of Rich's top items on his wish list.  The Star Wars pillow case I made him is on his shoulder.

Ava was excited about her Princess Aurora Duplos.

Ava really wanted a tuba, but nobody not even Santa Claus could find one.  Instead I found this stadium horn that looked like fun.  At first Ava thought it was a telescope.  Once she figured out what it was she called it her "Moroni horn".  She can't really get it to sound, but she tries and makes her own noises through it.

Rich demonstrating how the horn works.  If blown right it is really loud.  I'm kind of glad Ava can't really make it work.

Ava with Papa & Nonna Kurz and her new bike trailer.  This present made Ava jump, dance, and cheer.  I think it might of been her favorite thing of the day.

Christmas night Ava took a bath with Baby Tiana.  She enjoyed being the "mom" and washing her baby.  She also was excited to wear her bathrobe.

Luca the spoiled dog.  Ava helped me pick out some toys for Luca and we got a little carried away.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we hung out around the house and prepared for the next day.  We also relaxed and watched a movie.  Ava opened one gift before bed and then it was time to sleep and wait for Santa.

Ava built this comfy pillow bed to watch the movie on.  And yes she is wearing a swimsuit in the middle of winter.  Earlier she helped me clean the shower and decided not to take of the suit when we were done.

Ava with our Christmas tree.

Ava's Christmas Eve gift was the Snow White bathrobe I made her.

To my great disappointment Ava just threw her bathrobe on the floor.  She asked me many, many times to make her a bathrobe, so I expected a little more excitement.

Ava finally tried on her bathrobe after Rich insisted to make me feel better.  She still didn't seem excited and I about cried.  I worked really hard on this gift and I was sad she didn't seem to care.  I just had to keep reminding myself she is only 3 and is not trying to hurt my feelings.  She has since become attached to her robe and now wants it immediately following her bath.  That has made me feel a little better.

Christmas in Livermore

This year we celebrated Christmas a little early with my family.  It was nice to be together and visit.

Here we are gathered to open presents.

Dinga is helping Anthony & Allyson open some gifts.

Eric ("Uncle") and Elizabeth

Ava was excited with the Tigger movie Uncle & Elizabeth gave her.  She has watched it several times since then.

Ava's first watch.  Nonna gave this to her.  Ava had to recognize the numbers 1-12 before she could have a watch.

Anthony, Allyson, and Ava playing with their dad's phones. They were showing each other different games.

Ava and Allyson talking.

Uncle tickling Ava.

Such a happy little girl.  Love it!

We were surprised to learn Santa already visited Papa & Nonna's house.  He filled our stockings and Ava found this magnifying glass in it.

Ava loved using her magnifying glass.  She used it to look at all kinds of things.

Ava's Christmas Dress

This is Ava on the Sunday before Christmas in her new dress.  She is so beautiful!  Eventually I need to invest in a better flash and setup, so we can take better "studio" pictures.

Being Silly

Taking pictures of a 3 year old is difficult.  I usually take 100 pictures.  I just shoot like crazy and hope to get a few good ones.  The silly pictures are great too because they show Ava's personality.  It is always an adventure, but this is why I'm not a portrait photographer.

Ava's Christmas Program

The Friday before Christmas Ava's preschool had a short Christmas program and party.  The week before the program Ava was really sick and I was worried she wouldn't make it to the party.  Luckily she started feeling better because she would of been sad to miss the program.

The day of the program it was pouring rain.  It was hard to find a place to park and when I got inside there was nowhere to sit.  I ended up standing on top of a counter so I could see who was on the far side and bottom row.  It was a little crazy but worth it.

The kids sang 3 songs and recited a poem.  Ava knew all of them and had been practicing at home.  She was happy and always loves to sing.  Her favorite song was "Up on a Housetop".  Ava was also excited because one of the teachers gave her a bell necklace.

After singing the party started.  Santa Claus arrived and Ava wasn't afraid.  She sat on his lap and told him what she wanted for Christmas.  She also ate fruit and a mini cupcake.  After eating we decided it was time to go home and rest.  We had a lot of fun, so much fun that Ava went right to sleep when we got home.

This is the Santa skirt I made Ava for the program.

There were several different classes at the program.  Ava is on the right side in the front row.  I was sad because a lot of the smaller kids (like Ava) were in the front.

This is when they recited 5 Little Snowman.

I know she looks scared but she wasn't.  Ava was really happy to see Santa this year.  Unfortunately there were a lot of kids waiting so I didn't get the best picture.

Out of all the desserts Ava picked the smallest cutest cupcake.