4

6 months old

4 years old

My Audrey is four years old today.

Every morning Audrey opens up her door and welcomes me into her magical world. I treasure every day we spend together there. I hope I never forget this magical year with her. She always welcomes baby Liv as well. The new ideas and places we go are never ending. I can't imagine her ever running out of ideas. "Mom, I got an idea...you think that would be great?!" Audrey would rather play pretend than absolutely anything else.

Audrey has never really enjoyed coloring, she'd much rather create. Lately she's been making story books with pics. She invents her own stories and re-tells stories she's heard. She's also been making clothes and jewelry out of paper and art supplies. They are actually wearable and very inventive. She loves making these items for gifts. She uses at least two rolls of tape a week. I buy tape in bulk for her.

Audrey loves to cook in the kitchen. Her favorite dish is fruit salad. She makes fruit salads as often as I'll let her. It's a different recipe every time. She's always got a different idea for the "sauce" .

Audrey loves to pick flowers outside, she's loved this for years. She tells Heavenly Father she's grateful for flowers every night. She LOVES receiving flowers.

Audrey's fourth year was an absolute DREAM for me. Perfect.

Last night Audrey and I were watching the movie UP together. During the begining when it shows the wife growing old and sick Audrey says to me, "mom, when you get old like that Grandma I will take care of you, okay". I started crying immediately. Every time she sees me cry she always puts my head in her lap so that's what she did.

Trim

Audrey got her first hair cut. We went to "aunt Rachie's hair shop". Audrey wore her hair belt and really enjoyed the whole experience.

Afterwards we rode the train and ate at zcafe. Best day.

Christmas Day

Santa came. I took a video of Christmas morning so I don't have very many pics. It was so, so fun. Nothing like having children on Christmas morning. One of the many joys of being a parent. Audrey was determined that her sleeping bag was a rug and wouldn't let anyone tell her otherwise.

Poor Liv played with her toys in the box for a couple days, until someone took pity on her and properly opened them. She's such a trooper.

drool machine.

After we cleaned up Santa's surprises we went to my parent's ward for church. I know it's not convenient but it was really special to go to church on Christmas day.

After church my mom had her annual Christmas brunch. Everything was beautiful and so delicious! The cousins opened their presents together and had a good time playing with their new toys together. I wish I would have taken more pics of it.

Audrey brought an outfit change for the occasion.

Christmas night we went to Kyle's aunt Shelley's house. We enjoyed his extended family and had a super fun and big white elephant gift exchange. It is very lively every year.

Thanks aunt Shelley!

Christmas Eve

Breakfast with ALL the cousins at Great-Grandma Joyce's house!

She reserved a clubhouse for it and it turned out awesome. Her pancakes and strawberry jam are famous. Everyone pigged out and had a great time.


Liv with aunt Kristi



Christmas Eve night...we had our families over to our house. I LOVE Christmas eve night b/c Santa is on his way. Later in the night we heard Santa on our roof and jingle bells outside Audrey's window. Audrey was SOLD. She left the party and went to bed, in a state of emergency. She was VERY worried b/c she was still awake and knew she should be sleeping. She wouldn't even let me come in and talk to her. She said, "mom stop talking!!!!" The girls also opened some presents from Grandma and Grandpa Thompson. I love opening gifts on Christmas eve that aren't from Santa b/c then gifts can be enjoyed more.

Liv and my Dad. Liv actually looks just like my dad. Their baby pictures are identical.

We could hardly calm Aud down for a decent pic.

Advent Day 20

S'mores and hot chocolate at Grandma Bev's. Always a hit. Audrey brought her slippers in her purse b/c she always remembers them. Day and night. She's a diligent slipper girl.

Baby liv always wears her cat-hat...it was cold and on clearance at the gap from halloween. It's so funny on her.

Advent Fairy Day 20 & 21

Day 20- Read Arthur's Christmas Cookies and make cookies. This is my childhood book and I love reading it with Audrey. We read this one all year long b/c it's a fav of mine.
Ok. Audrey has some SERIOUS elbow grease. She can stir any dough for any period of time. I had no idea how thick this dough was until I took a turn and I was seriously blown away that she'd been stirring it the whole time. I think it's determination.

We made Crinkles...soooo good. I've always wanted to try making them and advent fairy gave me a reason to. They were actually really easy and they turned out just how I love them...soft and chewy! YUM!
Day 21 - Gingerbread house with aunt Sarah. My sister Sarah scored a pretty sweet gingerbread house from her bakery. The real deal. It turned out super cute. Thanks again Aunt Sarah!

Happy New Year

Audrey started off the New Year with her first Day of Primary as a Sunbeam. She's been anxiously awaiting this day and she was SO excited. Audrey is on the old side of her year for school and church so she's always super ready for new things and it sure makes life easy and fun for me. She's been counting down the weeks to say goodbye to "nursery with all the babies". She went right into sharing time and sat down with her class and then told me to leave. When I picked her up from her first day she told me, "Jesus loves me mom! He loves all the children and that's why he gave us moms!" LOVE.

We had FHE tonight instead of tomorrow. (FHE is now the easiest thing ever after doing the advent fairy/slave) We talked about the word "goal" and Audrey set some goals for the new year...and then painted them pink.

Advent Day 18 & 19

Day 18- Read a Christmas book. LOVE LOVE this book.

Day 19- Pretend City with Dad!

The workers were all dressed up like elves.

They had the entire city decorated for Christmas. It was really cute. Audrey noticed as soon as we walked in. She appreciates good decor.

At the art studio with Ella.

Afterwards we pigged out at Red Robin. Yummy ending to a fun day.