It's Beginning to Look alot Like Christmas!

At the stroke of December we starting prepping for Christmas.  We went to get our tree on Saturday, and Avery was very confused.  "We can't get our tree Mommy, it's not dark."  We usually go on a week night.  Funny kid.

The kids helped me decorate the tree.  Malin by eating the beads, and Avery pulled the ornaments out of the boxes for me, exclaiming "so beautiful' each time.

The finished product.  Mommy is crazy anal about the tree (and alot of other things).  Luckily Avery carries this gene too so she's been my little helper keeping the rest of the Hunt clan away from the tree. :)

Avery "read" Malin the story of Lola the Elf.  (our Elf on the Shelf).  I will be very sad to see Lola go back to the North Pole after Christmas, she has been keeping tight reigns on Avery!

We ventured to Bellevue to see Santa.  Things looked promising... until they saw the big guy.  Total melt down by Avery (she's actually sitting on my lap) and Malin was a lost little puppy.

We got our frost on.  We attended the Snoqualmie tree lighting event - in 15 degree weather.  Too cold!  I took Avery to see her first theater movie - Frozen.  We both loved it, in fact, I cried.  We will be purchasing that movie for sure!

We went to Avery's soccer buddy, Kaylee's 4th birthday party.

Malin is trying desperately to keep up with big sis.  I fear she may be walking by Christmas.  How did she get that big already?!

We went on the Snoqualmie Santa Train with our good friends, the Kearns'.

We waited in line to see Santa.  Well, Avery peered in the window and had enough.  I love this picture!  Santa trying to console poor stranger danger Malin and Madeline thought Santa and his beard was fascinating.  Too cute!

Wishing you and your families the Merriest of Christmases!

Kiddos First Apple Cup!

This year's home Apple Cup was a family affair.  Avery and Malin got to attend their first Apple Cups together, with Grandma & Papa and Aunt Jess, Braden & Nolan, and cousin Brian.

We had alot of fun tailgating.  Bet you've never seen a tailgate complete with Thanksgiving leftovers, booze and bubbles before! :)

Daddy and Papa gave up the Don James tickets to sit closer outside so us ladies (and boys) could be cozy warm & spoiled inside.  Dubs, the official UW Husky paid us a visit too.

 Malin got a little nap in while we were outside cheering.  Such an angel.

All that cheering must have paid off because the Huskies beat the Cougs!  Way to go Dawgs! 

Thank you Papa for making the kids' first Apple Cup a very memorable one!

Giving Thanks

Malin's first Thanksgiving!  We spent Thanksgiving at Nanie & Opie's house this year with Oma, and had a nice, peaceful day.  I love Thanksgivings at my parents' house because my Dad's BBQ turkey is THE BEST!  The Hermans' haven't had a turkey any other way.  Look at that beautiful delicious bird!

Avery learned a very important Hermans lesson: how to make a Bloody Mary. :)

Malin, our little eater, thought Thanksgiving dinner was scrumptious!

Avery thought the rolls were ok...

The girls got a little relaxation and cuddle time after dinner too.

Poor Opie, getting tackled.

We have much to be thankful for this year: a 2nd beautiful little girl in our family, a new home to raise our family in within a great family-oriented community, our health (finally) and some great friends and family to keep us sane.  And most importantly, the most supportive parents, who we can rely on whenever we need them.  A special thank you to Nana who comes to our house 3 days a week to take care of and give love to our 2 sweet girls when we have to be at work.  We don't know what we'd do without you!  (And my girls are just as thankful, Avery's first question every morning when she wakes up: "Is Nanie going to be here?")  We love all of you who have helped us through some troubled times this year, you know who you are.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

10 Months Old!

Is it possible that my little angel is 10 months old already?!  We've now been in our house for 1 year and I'm starting to plan my baby's 1st birthday party, where did the year go?!

Malin has become so much fun.  She gets more silly and animated every day, keeping the laughter flowing in our house.  She is sweet and pretty independent.  She's learned to pull herself up on furniture or really anything, and now has to be standing at all times.  She's started to take fingers to "walk" and we fear she could get this walking thing down in the next month or 2.  She's always on the go, we have to watch her like a hawk to make sure she isn't getting into something she's not supposed to or crash landing on anything too hard.  Malin loves her big sister, though has learned to strong-arm her if Avery gets too much in her face.  She found her lungs and screams to high heavens just for the fun of it.  She loves to chase Avery around the house, their favorite path around the kitchen, and Malin thinks it's hilarious when big sis laps her.  She still only has 1 real word, "Mama" and it mostly comes out when she's eating.  Malin LOVES food (just like her Mama) and eats pretty much anything we put in front of her.  (Complete opposite from Avery).  She just may catch Avery in weight pretty soon! :)  She has 6 teeth to chew all that food with.  She is a great sleeper, usually sleeps 13 hours at night, and cuddles up with us with her security blankie and thumb in her mouth right before she goes down.

I love doing these photoshoots with Malin, and the whole fam gets involved, Daddy & Avery making Malin laugh while we try to make sure she doesn't fall off the chair.  (Poor kid has already taken several spills off of furniture). 

Here's my ridiculously cute baby:

Mom, I wish you'd let me eat these stickers.



Soooo big!



Silly Mae







Avery's First Cut

After 3 1/2 years we decided it was finally time for our little Rapunzel to cut her hair.  It was a big stip for us - I think harder for Mommy and Daddy than for Avery!  We took her to Dooz in Bellevue Square to make this first cut memorable.

 Avery was such a good girl, just smiled the whole time.

 And she got a very cool braid with glitter.

Way to go big girl, you did great!  How did my little baby get so grown up already?

These are the gorgeous curls we left behind. :(  They may turn up again later in her life.

Avery continues to keep us laughing and shocks us every day with things she says and does.  She retains everything, sometimes without us knowing until she's playing later.  She loves books and we often find her "reading" to herself or to her little sister, making up crazy stories along the way, and many "he said, she said."  She has a great imagination and likes to call everyone either Francine or Freddy, not sure where those names came from.  She's very into her clothes and has to make sure they match and usually prefers dresses - just like a Princess.  She cracks me up daily.  Recently I was getting her dressed and asked her why she doesn't like to wear socks (she hates them and we find them all over the house), she says "I'm an old fashioned lady."  Then when she's all dressed, looks at her clothes and says "I look like an Asian guy."  Where does she come up with these things?! 

Avery, you keep our life full of laughter and sometimese frustration, but I wouldn't trade one of them, my sweet little Stinker!  We love you "so mutsh!"