December 2012

I guess I'd have more creative titles for my posts if I didn't take so long to update.  Oh well!
In December...

...Audrey lots her first 2 teeth.  The middle bottom ones.  They were loose for a while and the big teeth were already growing in, so Papa convinced her to let him try and pull it out.  A little floss and sure enough, he pulled that thing right out!  Later in the same week Audrey just kept playing with the other one and pulled real hard and she said it popped right out.  Literally...it flew and hit the wall, but luckily she found it.  She wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy, {Who even wrote back in the smallest handwriting ever!} and she got a couple dollars each time.  She was sooo happy!  She's got 3 more wiggly ones now, but no other "lost" teeth yet.

Audrey had been participating with a company called Talent Team where they work on singing, dancing and acting skills to put on a show.  Audrey was the only kid in K/1st grade group that signed up, so she got to learn the songs/dances for her age group along with the songs/dances for the 2nd/3rd grade group...and of course the songs/dances that all the ages learned.  On top of that, there were not enough kids at her school to do the whole show so they combined with the group at another school who also didn't have enough.  It was a little tricky since they only had a few practices with both school groups together, but the show "Happiness Is..." was very cute, and Audrey did awesome! They performed 3 times.  I'll have to see if I can post some videos in another post.  I never have much luck when I try to upload videos on here.


1st performance at San Tan Mall

2nd performance at local retirement home

 





Chrismas Eve we had dinner with the Neerings at Aunt Sarah's house, their traditional mexican menu was a hit as usual. 

Christmas morning we woke up to see what Santa had brought...

Audrey got a new doll.  Now this was not the American Doll that Audrey had asked for.  But I explained that Santa had sent me an email saying that since there were no America Girl Doll stores close to us, it would be hard to add clothing and accessories.  But there are LOTS of Targets around and they had a nice series called Our Generation Dolls that are similar.  Audrey agreed that was a smart choice that Santa made.  She loves her doll "Willow" who also came with a hair styling chair and accessories.  Owen asked  Santa for a new bed because Baby Alison would need his.  {He's been in the toddler bed version of the crib, which is just the crib with the side rail off.}  He was excited about his bed that went perfect with the "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" bedding that Abuelita got him.  ;o)

 

 

Later that morning after kids opened presents from Mama & Papa and Uncle Brian & Aunt Lori {pic above with pirate ship & Legos}, we headed to Uncle Paul & Aunt Randee's house for Christmas breakfast and gifts with Abuelita & Uncle Hunter.  We ate lots of yummy food and there were a lot of presents around with 5 little ones!   We then headed back to our house for a dinner of chili and cornbread where we were joined by Grandpa & Grandma Giberson & Uncle Kyle who had flown in from Texas.  Uncle Will flew in from Virginia late the night, so we saw him the next day and we exchanged presents in round 3 of Christmas.

 

My dad & Andrea {Grandma & Grandpa Giberson} gave us this AMAZING ottoman!  They noticed our need for a new one as our 2 red ones were stained and one had a huge tear in it that was not getting sewn up.  This new one is just a big as the other 2, but has the added bonus of storage!  And it will be easier to clean!

 

 





"Ah, finally a place to store the kids!" ~Grandpa Giberson joked.

 

 

 

A couple picture collages from Christmas that I made on my fancy new phone.

We also took at trip to see the Mesa Temple lights...can't wait until we can see the Gilbert Temple lights!

 

We had a lot of fun while Grandpa & Grandpa Giberson and the Uncles were in town.  A highlight was that the three older grandkids {Audrey, Owen & cousin Jay} each got to go on their own special outing with G&G Giberson.  Audrey went to see 'Cinderella' at the Great AZ Puppet Theatre, Jay went to the Phoenix Art Museum and Owen went on a tour at Cerretta's Candy Factory.  They really loved that.  Mixed in we had lots of movies, games, and general chatting/hanging out and catching up time with them.  We did go over to the Ipsons' {my Aunt Valerie & Uncle Lance} house for dinner and game playing, which is always a good time.  Cousin Jay's birthday party was also a highlight that finished off our month.