Avery Milestones

Avery:
She is definitely a curious girl. Almost right after she learned to crawl she started to pull herself up to standing. Now she creeps around furniture. She has even climbed up on one stair. One of her favorite places to play is in the pink kitchen where she can open cabinets and drawers while standing. Saturday I caught her standing up on one of the drawer handles on one foot, reaching for something above. She is a climber. Yikes, I am so glad she has not gotten hurt yet. She loves to pull out all the play food and make a huge mess. She really gets into everything and I can not leave her alone for a second. Another favorite spot is standing at the kitchen sliding glass door. She watches the hundreds of birds we have that live in our bushes. They often come right up to the window. I think she might be a bird watcher, like her some of her great grandparents.

She also has this great laugh that is more like a dog panting. When she gets really excited or happy she starts to suck in air and breath really fast simultaneously she is grinning really big and scrunching her nose. I love this little girl she brings us so much joy and is leading us on an adventure for sure.

Thank you for giving.

Sherri and Cooper

Callie and Cooper

Hurt hand

Look I can still write.

Dinner at moms.

The Aunts

My climbing girl

Gigi and Luke

At the park in Reno

Joy School Kids: Hallie, Katelyn, Eliza, Callie

Ward Christmas Party

This is a sappy entry, just to warn any readers. If you don't like sappy just look at the pictures.

Callie has been eagerly anticipating her upcoming birthday and Christmas. Well, I have to admit that I get a little too excited for these things, too. I have been asking her what she wants as gifts for these momentous days. Her list has been endless. We started to browse the toy department of Wal-mart, and I soon realized that the greed I was fueling in my soon to be 4 year old was immeasurable. In order to tame the green-eyed beast a little, I started to say things like: "Well, you can't have everything you want for your Birthday and Christmas. You may only get some things. Which things do you want the most?" And since I have already bought most of the things we planned to get her, I keep trying to steer her back to her original lists. The clever girl knowing that after Halloween we first celebrate Thanksgiving, then her birthday, then Christmas, started saying in response to my comments: "How about, I can get this(which ever toy "this" is for the moment) for thank you for giving. Yeah, that's a good idea." I guess I needed to be more specific like: "That toy is too old for you," or "I got you some other stuff already and I don't have enough money for more," or "I really think that toy you might like for a day and then it will get boring fast," or "That is a complete waste of money." I thought about that title sweet Callie gave this holiday in her moment of greed, and thought it was very profound. How fitting that we quietly (or loudly in my family), spend the month before Christmas reflecting on gratitude. Thankfulness for our families, our homes, our religions, our country, our health, our friends, our many blessings that have come to us from our Heavenly Father. Hopefully, we all at least take a peaceful moment to reflect on our gratitude for the greatest gift of all, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Because just like the sequence of a prayer might be: first we thank, then we ask for things; so follows our Holiday season. Too often, I thank briefly. Most stores skip this Holiday all together (they want us to set into the greedy step.) Then I get caught up in the holiday rush, stress, traditions, gluttony, and greed. I think the true meaning of Christmas is lost in this, should it not also be about our gratitude for the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thank you Heavenly Father, "thank you for giving." I am going to try to keep this idea better in mind this month.

What did we do that I am grateful for this past month? At the beginning of this month we had Regional Conference. I am grateful that we could get, from an apostle, specific guidance for these latter days. Is it not interesting that the Prophets have been preparing us for hard financial times for many years? On the 5th we went to Charlotte's Web Children's Play. It was very cute; Callie loved it, and I am grateful that Avery behaved very well. I am grateful for our little Joy School group. Callie really loves it, and I like the kids and moms who are in it. Oh, since I had a urology appoinment this month I am grateful I don't have a kidney stone right now. We went on a tour of a farm that raises animals for their wool; and then spins, dyes, and weaves the wool on the premises. I am grateful for my clothes, and that I don't have to weave them or care for the animals. I will stick with children. What a talent to be able to do all that though. I am grateful for the people who do such work. I hosted a baby shower for my friend Sheri and I am grateful for friends and babies. I am grateful for book club that keeps me reading. What great women are in that group. I am so glad for my girl-time and friendships. Callie smashed her fingers twice this month (once in the door to the garage, once in the car door same hand). I am so glad they were not broken, and healed quickly. One of the things I am most thankful for is my family. The girls and I were lucky enough to travel back to Reno for Thanksgiving. I am so glad everyone in my family loves to hang out with the girls. It makes us feel so loved and popular. Callie would say that she is greatful that Papa and Sherri have a dog (Cooper), and Gigi and Grumpy have two dogs (Luke and Lili). She keeps asking for a dog and a brother. "I need a dog and a brother." When we left Callie kept saying "Cooper is sure going to miss me." I am glad we had beautiful wheather in Reno for our visit. I am thankful that we made it home to our Cameron. It was hard to be gone from him for so long. He was glad to be invited to Thanksgiving with Aaron and his friends.

We are thankful for all the comments we recieve on our blog from good friends around the world. We wish you all love and happiness this Christmas Season.

Love,

The LaDukes