Christmas 2011

Wow what a weekend. Busy, Busy, Busy. We had a lot going on with many different Christmas's and family gatherings! Friday night we spent over at Grandma Schoonover's house. Ava got lots of toys and clothing from Aunts and Uncles and great grandma and Grandpa. She also got some cash for her piggy bank, as did Cole and I :). Saturday we started out the day over at Kay and Bruce's for the Odneal (immediate family) x-mas. Ava got a couple of new toys, some socks (Kay claims will stay on!) I say we just invent sock suspenders as Ava's socks constantly fall off-they did stay on pretty good though, and she also got a new Ornament personalized with her name! Cute! Then we headed over to my Dad and Andi's to have our Schoonover (immediate family) x-mas that night. We had lots of Appetizers Andi made up and Desserts from Jillian (Josh's g-friend) they were soooo good, and I totally overate. We stayed the night there since we knew in the morning we had to be in Waterloo anyways.  Then Sunday we went to Grandma Niemann's for Christmas. We had a good time seeing all of my relatives from out of state, and catching up. The days events at Grandma's took longer then expected. We didn't eat until later in the afternoon, and got done with the gift exchange later. Ava began getting fussy and tired and we had decided that we would let her nap and get refreshed. She napped for 2 1/2 hours (that never happens!) at Grandmas while Cole and I and the others played a few different card games. which was lots of fun. We decided that it was getting late and we weren't able to make it over the Caley x-mas in CF. Bummer. I was looking forward to seeing everyone, and getting the xmas cards delivered (without buying postage :) but by the end of the day I was zonked! Will get in the mail ASAP. I am trying to get a play date set up with Ms. Braelynn so the 2nd cousins can catch up on baby talk! As that was what I was looking forward to the most! We did our best to visit all the family, but things come up with kids!  Thanks to all the family and friends for the gifts and well wishes. It was a great first x-mas with Ava Nicole. She is definitely loved...no doubt about it...and a little spoiled I will add.  With all the eating over the Holidays, and thanks to Dad's bathroom with surrounding mirrors after showering, Cole and I are gearing up to start our resolutions of weight loss! I need to get off the rest of the baby weight, and Cole just wants to get back into shape! We are excited for this and hope to just get healthier so we can keep up with our active girl! Happy Holidays. Here's to a great, happy and healthy 2012!
 I am writing  this at work and unable to upload photos, so pics to follow!

Holidays!

Wow...Sorry all! It's been quite a while since I have posted, but I am happy to say that I am DONE with student teaching! I can't believe I made it through 16 weeks, I am sooooo happy. I will be starting full time at GMAC tomorrow. In a couple of weeks once my teaching license comes, I can start applying for teaching jobs. Hoping one close comes open!

Ava has since turned 6 months old! Unreal! She is such a little angel...most of the time! She is awake much longer now, and is pretty snoopy if you ask me! She always has to know whats going on, and it is getting harder and harder for us to get her to sleep if she knows she is missing out on something. She has discovered her toes and is always trying to eat them, and anything else she can get her hands on. She is also doing very well at sitting. She hasn't got it completely mastered yet, she still is a little top heavy at times, but she is improving everyday. Pretty soon I have a feeling we will be looking down at her sitting and she will have taken off crawling. She is very close!

Her new favorite food at the moment is green beans. She gobbles them up! She is also enjoying the Gerber graduate puffs. We have them in banana, strawberry apple, apple cinnamon, veggie, Cheddar cheese and maple. They are little snacks for her that she really loves. I have tried them too, and while feeding her some, somehow half the tin got eaten...hmmmm?
We just had a great night at great Aunt Sharon and great Uncle Barts for one of the Odneal x-mas's. Of course she was spoiled getting gifts from great Grandpa and Grandma Odneal, Sharon, and Helen & Louie. We also got family pics, and Ava's 6 month pics taken. So excited to see those, they looked adorable when being taken!

Crazy to  think Christmas is only a week away. We will be busy all weekend with Christmas's. We have Grandma Schoonover's Friday night, My dad's and Cole's parents Christmas Eve, then we will be out to Rick's and Grandma Niemann Sunday. Luckily I will be getting off at 6 now, so I should be able to find some time to finish up some shopping as we are not completely done yet!

Hope everyone has a great holiday season! We are so excited to enjoy this one with Ava!