Happy New Year!

We started off our New Year celebration by surprising the kids with a New Years tree.  Between balloons, beads, streamers and all sorts of New Years paraphernalia the tree filled up quite nicely!

The boys had a fun breakfast...

And picked a few items off the tree to wear to school.

After school, there was lots of dress up as the boys quickly emptied the tree.

Parker decided the he had to wear all the beads and necklaces from the tree (along with a Tech football Jersey over his batman shirt).

We then headed to the Gomez's house for the evening.  The boys actually made it to midnight and had a blast.  We had an incredible dinner of steak and crab and enjoyed a fun night with friends. To top it off, Tech won the Orange Bowl which was awesome too!

Parker watching the Tech game

Boys playing - Parker insisted on walking around with a sword in his shirt

The kids - minus 4 babies watching the ball drop (post Taylor Swift dance party)

Shortly later the boys made a cushion fort

Ending the night with fire works

December

Work has been busy for mom and dad with dad starting work on building the new Atlanta Braves Stadium.  So we enjoyed lots of family time when we could.As the days get shorter, the whole family took advantage of the warmth where we could find it!

Carter (4 years, 7 months) - Carter is doing well at school.  They have started moving into a new phase of their phonics curriculum where the kids make books which slowly escalate in complexity.  Carter is enjoying reading his own books to the family at night.  He is still on a marrying kick and has a new girl at school, Mahannah, who has agreed to marry him (they formal danced together to mark the occasion).  It only lasted a few weeks though because he recently asked mom if she would marry him on she unmarried dad.  But he let it slip that he is going to also have a girlfriend named Audrey (another friend from school) so mom told him she would pass on the offer ;)

Carter has decided he likes to have his picture taken lately but he likes to make random facial expressions which run the gamut of 4 year old emotions.

He randomly asks to have his picture taken and makes funny photos

Someone ate a Reindeer Candy Cane from their teacher

Bed head!

And the best picture from the month... Carter wrote mom a whole book called 'Tiger goes to McDonald's'.  He illustrated 16 pages and dictated the narrative to dad.  The story revolves around lots of cars and other vehicles going to McDonald's.  

Parker (3 years, 1 month) - Parker is growing into such a big kid.  He is officially done with all diapers (finally pulled the night-time ones this week).  He is quite opinionated and doesn't like to do anything he doesn't want to.  He will let you know it with strong "No's" (as he yells to his brother "No Cagher") or meltdown cries.  But he gives the best smiles and knows how to make you forget all that!  He has adjusted to being a big brother well and adores Avery.

He wanted to sit in the High Chair for breakfast

Playing soccer with a basketball wearing a football helmet

He will generally only wear Super Hero shirts

Avery (4 months) - Avery has a bit of a rough start to the months with a major bout of reflux.  She hasn't had any issues with it so far but when it hit, it hit hard!  We have her on a trial of medication and we have been playing with some solids the combination of which seems to be helping.  She also went through the 4 month sleep regression and started waking up every 2-3 hours at night to eat.  Fortunately that seems to be working its way out.  Other than that she is generally very happy and calm.  And she can always be counted on for some gummy smiles and lots of babbles.

Parker covered Avery up with a "blanket" and shared his lovie with her

Hanging out during dinner time

First time in the Jumper

Trying rice cereal for her Reflux - she wasn't too into the spoon so we'll try again a bit later if she is still having issues.

She loves to stand up

Siblings - the kids are always good for laughs, tears and lots to clean up!  The boys are best buddies and they both love to dote on baby Avery.  Carter has started calling her "cutie" and "gorgeous".

Playing with their Hot Wheels track

They set up a football field and lots of spectators came to watch

Parker made a boat for Blue Bear and Avery

Carter put Parker to bed on the floor with lots of lovies

The packed their bags for lunch at Pop and Emme's house

Thumbs Up for the Banana pudding they made with Emme

Putting on a Puppet Show

Doing experiments with Carter's Science Kit

They eat dinner with their snuggies on