The Fighter's

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...

Our good friends Krista, Dan and their little peanut Lydia came over to welcome in 2009! Doug made dinner (with Dan's help)...a Rachel Ray menu....beef tenderloin and spinach with shallot sauce and shrimp. We nicknamed the guys Rachel and Ray and they were so proud of their concoction. We had a great night...catching up (and watching Dick Clark...oye). Happy 2009! Rachel & Ray... The final masterpiece...Krista & I were impressed! Had to post a few baby shots....sweet Lydia & Kate the bouncy seat/binky stealer...

A few pics from our trip to the zoo...lights...and afterwards...Olive Garden. See Doug's new beard...he's been on vacation for a week and a half, and has enjoyed not shaving:-)

Me and my girls... The girls and their friends...

The girls woke up around 8:15, and we came down to open presents. You could tell Ava was so excited to see her presents...but as usual, very even keeled. More determined to tackle the mission at hand of opening presents, as fast as possible. Kate headed straight for her new "Little People" bike and did not want to get off. So excited to have a "bike" where she could touch the ground. She also loved her new "cleaning supplies". Another favorite moment...as we were opening presents, we turned around to find Kate quietly eating Santa's left over cookies (see pic below...along with others of her hamming it up). Grandma & Grandpa Conover, uncle Pat, Lindsay and Grammy came over later that day and we had an excellent Christmas dinner (despite the fact that I burnt the ham...oops)! It was a super Christmas. Hope yours was just as great!

Christmas Eve festivities kicked off with 3pm service at our church...such a beautiful service. My favorite part was (as always!) the candlelit portion during Silent Night. I love how the candles serve to remind us of The light that came into the world over 2000 years ago. Instead of a candle, kids got a glow stick. Ava thought it was the best thing ever...she kept waving it around extremely ferociously in between (and despite) our efforts to remind her we were in church. She must have kept "forgetting"...just so excited (and it cracked me up!). I also had flashbacks to Christmas Eve service growing up...standing next to my Grandma Louise...while she sang along to Silent Night in German. Then it was off to Grammy J's for Christmas Eve dinner with the Fighter family, the Hayhurst family and...Uncle Pat and Lindsay joined us this year. Mom F. made the BEST beef tenderloin with twice baked potatoes , fresh green beans, rolls and salad. I about licked the plate. At around ...