The Fighter's

I wish this picture caught how pretty this sunrise was. I love the view out our backyard and had to snap a glimpse for the memory books!

Tonight we needed a respite from the house, so we scooted over to the mall to let the girls run around the play area and had dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. The play area was pretty busy, and even though I was right by the girls’ side the entire time, Ava’s “big sis” side came out. She kept her hand on Kate’s back to help her along, held her hand when she couldn’t quite keep up, and patiently and slowly crawled the stairs to the slide to let Kate keep up with her. On top of that, Ava was encouraging Kate in this sweet little voice the whole way. Loved it! At one point, the girls were in a tree tunnel… a little boy squeezed his way through and was trying to trample over Kate until Ava put herself in front of and over Kate and gave the boy a look that said back off! I loved watching her stand up for her sis! Next it was off to California Pizza Kitchen. When we first sat, Doug was across from Kate and I was across from Ava. But then Ava sadly said…”I want to sit across from Kate”. So

When they (Kate) pulls out a package of diapers and starts "riding" it around the hallway going..."beep, beep". She had the biggest grin on her face, and was in her own little world. I think she's ready for bikes and some more active outside activity!

Today was an extra beautiful day. Not only is everything snow covered...but the sun was out, so things were glistening. It looked so amazing that we decided to take advantage of our day off work and take the girls sledding at a near by park. When we got there, Ava ditched the idea of sledding to climb on what else, but the "choo choo" train. But eventually we ventured over to a small hill and had a lot of fun. We even took Kate down a few times. Not sure she was totally thrilled with it, but didn't seem to mind. Doug taught Ava how to go down without a sled, and she thought that was the neatest thing ever. I just love playing out in the snow. So refreshing!

This morning Ava asked to finger paint...so...we whipped out the finger paint! It was Kate's first time finger painting. At first she tried to eat the paint, then daintily got the hang of it...dipping one finger first then eventually her whole hand. By the end she had it in her hair which wasn't a big surprise! My little Artists...

One of my favorite things about being a mom is hearing Ava and Kate say fun, new things. While Kate is 17 months and just beginning to figure out this whole speech thing (although she is our loudest child with constant babbles and a few occasional words that only Doug and I can understand...she manages to bring the decibel of this house up about 50 notches)...Ava has become quite a conversationalist. It cracks us up. A few favorite words/phrases from the past week... Ava... Ava...walking down to the basement with Doug..."Dad...it is quite a mess down here." Me to Ava..."can you turn off the lights downstairs?" Ava to me..."sure Mom, no problem." Ava to the librarian during story hour as the page was turned...and very matter of factly ..."that's a submarine." Huh??? Where did she learn submarine?? While making snowflakes, as I'm trying to help her..."I can figure it out, okay mommy." Whoa! Kate... "Mammy" aka Grammy;

Tonight, Doug and I babysat for some of our very good friends who have an adorable little peanut named Leah. Kate is SO infatuated with babies (both dolls and real babies), the minute Leah got here, she had a huge grin on her face and was saying in a high pitched voice...."hi baby". As soon as we sat Leah on the floor, Kate was smothering her with toys, love pats and hugs. The whole time, crouching down and talking to Leah in baby babbles...like she knew exactly what she was saying to her. I wish my camera was charged tonight...I would have loved to snatch a shot!

This past weekend we drove up to Grandma and Grandpa Conover's and had a fantastic time! Friday night we hired a sitter and headed to one of our favorite spots...Venturas...with great family friends. Saturday...Doug and I were crazy and ventured out in the never ending snow storm (almost 12 inches) to house hunt with a realtor. We looked at almost 15 houses...whew! Long day but so much fun and good to get a great start on our "list". Definitely found a few that have future Fighter home potential. Of course we're waiting to sell before buying...so if you know of anyone who's looking for a great home... :-) While Doug and I were out braving the elements, Grandma ventured out herself to buy Ava the cutest snow suit ever, and...purple sled. Doug and I came home to my dad pulling the abominable snowman, Ava, around the house in the sled. She absolutely LOVES the snow and thought this free ride from Grandpa was the greatest. Katelyn came out to join her...her first re

Watch out Lance Armstrong...here comes Ava! Santa brought her a brand new "big girl" bike, that ended up being to big for her, so we tucked it away until she grows a bit bigger and found a new one for the mean time! First our little engineerish girl had to help her dad put it together. She is just so into putting things together and fixing things...I love it! Kate wanted in on the action too. Then we let her pedal around the inside of the house to get the hang of it...and finally headed outside. She did great and we even went 1/2 way around the block! Little Katelyn chased back and forth after her sister as she went in between neighbor driveways. At one point she was even cheering Ava on with enthusiastic claps.

Have you ever gone to church, heard a speaker, or had a conversation with someone and walked away feeling as though someone just bonked you over your head with a shovel and told you to wake up and examine yourself? Ever had little bells go off in your head….”ding, ding, ding, ding”…like whatever that person was saying, totally hit the head on the nail when it came to you? This past Sunday in church, I had one of those moments. In fact…Doug even had that moment…for me…nudging me through the whole sermon. I think he saw the guy hitting me over the head with a shovel, the guy's words applying directly to me. I have to admit that I am a worrier. I worry about everything…my girls, my husband, my family, my friends…work, the move we’re attempting to make, keeping my house clean, keeping our financial health in order, keeping myself in order. I feel guilty on days when my perception is that I didn’t spend enough time with my girls, or that I didn’t achieve enough at work, or for saying no