Deck the Halseys: Outside

Holy Smokes!  Could we have had better Christmas weather?  I think not.  (Unless you really had your heart set on a "white Christmas"...I didn't, not if I can have sunny and "warm" instead!)

Although we couldn't go sledding (oh, darn) we found plenty of other fun things to do outside...

Ryan and Byron (and fams) made a trek up to see us, so we headed down to the boardwalk and park.  Hazel ran up and down and up and down the boardwalk a gazillion times, I don't know how she had the energy.  She was also treated to a s.u.p.e.r underdog from Uncle Ryan.  He, um, may have forgotten she's only two - she was terrified.  But survived and of course, it didn't stop her from swinging.

We also played a lot at the park by Grandma and Grandpa's house. 

 We played with Amos.

(Lila thought he looked a little cold, and gave him her hat)

We (as in, not me) chopped some wood for the fire we never needed.

(Oh yeah, don't mess with Libbi she is an axe-wielding pregnant girl)

And showed off some skateboard moves.

And found another park to play at (as long as there are swings, Hazel is very happy).

Good times, good times.

Deck the Halseys: Inside

What on earth do you dooo with sixteen people during the holidays?  

Well, you must play with your cousins as much as possible, and take "standing" lessons from your Uncle Ryan and Aunt Libbi...

And, of course you must visit Great-Grandpa for storytime...

Ah, and don't forget to find a good spot on the couch...

Because, everyone knows it would not be Christmas at the Halsey's without a non-stop feed of Sports Center and Bowl games. (As the only Utah fans in a house full of Cougars, we greatly appreciated the SPECTACULAR finish to our bowl game - go Utes!)

Averett was a BIG fan of the Utah game, we're raising him up right - and how about the awesome jerseys Aunt Laura made both had 49ers patches (the Taylors are BIG fans), and Marianna's had the 8 & a BYU patch for Steve Young, and Averett's had the 11 & a Ute patch for Alex Smith...we l.o.v.e it!!  (However, if we get our Ravens-49ers Superbowl, Averett won't be wearing that shirt for a few days) :)

Oh, there's also the baking and gingerbread house making you must do.

 (Marianna and Averett remind me of the two old guys in the Muppets, I wonder what they are saying...)

 Did we mention more playing, redecorating the tree and standing?

Get yourself ready for the New Year's Eve Tournament of Champions: a night full of playoffs in ping-pong, MarioKart, bean bag toss, sumo wrestling, dice throwing, bouncy ball bouncing, darts and tennis ball juggling. (Seth made it to the finals (AND WON!) in Mario Kart, and I made it in darts and bouncy ball basketball)

Sure, that's what you do with sixteen people, but how do you fit sixteen people?

Easy.  Ten of you get cozy in the basement.  (Apparently the quality of your mattress was directly related to the time of your arrival, those that arrived earliest received the nice mattresses (with boxsprings) ...we showed up last and scored the camping pads.  Mental note: arrive two weeks early next time)

And squeeeeeze around the dinner table, nice and cozy.

Deck the Halseys: The Lights & The Lip

The lights at the DC Temple.  One of our favorite holiday traditions.  

Hazel decided to make it a little bit more memorable this year...

Not quite sure exactly what happened, all I know is Seth was helping me get Averett and the stroller to the top of the steps when Hazel started screaming (weeping, wailing and gnashing of recently-chipped teeth style).  We turned around to see Aunt Joanie doing her best to comfort her and blood.  

Lots of blood. 

We rushed her into the Visitors Center bathroom (family-style) and went to work calming (me), cleaning (Seth) and crying (Hazel).  Apparently in all of her running-dancing-hopping glory she had managed to trip and unfortunately caught herself with her front teeth on the concrete steps.  

Ouch.

Eventually I was able to bring her screaming down to a whimper and Seth somehow cleaned up her coat (a miracle, really, it was covered in blood) and we were able to rejoin the family for a little walk around the grounds.

(Hazel was a little sensitive and Grandpa took good care of her.  Marianna & Aunt Joanie hitching a ride.  Ryan & Libbi frrrreezing.  Averett taking Lila for a spin)

(Marianna knows her Dad is #1.  Hazel & Grandma checking out the nativity.  Byron & Miles. This just made me laugh, every time we get a picture of the two of us, we are out of focus, e.v.e.r.y time.  Here's to another!)

 All in all, it was a really nice night.  Complete with a trip to Cafe Rio.  Ah, delish.  

Hazel's damage:  big ol' fat lip, hamburger-ish cut inside her lip, two chipped teeth and a little wounded pride.  

Not to worry, after a good night's sleep she was back to her dancing-running-hopping self.

 (the pictures never do justice)

Deck the Halseys: 2011 Christmas

Seth and his siblings are literally spread from coast to coast.  

To all be together under one roof for the Holidays was awesome.  

Christmas Eve started with the grandkids making sure the tree was properly decorated.

Tree decorating, football, delicious dinner, awesome jammies and "A Christmas Story" almost make a complete Christmas Eve, we needed our Nativity.  Check.

(After lots of indecision, Hazel settled on being an angel; Averett was baby Jesus)

As is tradition, we put on our Sunday best to open gifts.  Oh.  That was just this year's tradition :) 

(I think it says a lot that the 16 of us were dressed and on time to church...at 9:30)

Love. Love. Love the cousins.

(Way to represent Marianna - where is your family pic??)

Santa found us after church and the unwrapping mayhem began!  

(Hazel was waiting so patiently for her turn to open her special present)

We were very spoiled.  The gifts were all awesome, but at the risk of sounding super cheesy, the best gift of all was having everyone together.

Early Christmas

Because we are headed to Grandma & Grandpa H's house for Christmas, we put in a request that Santa come early this year.  Thankfully, that worked with his schedule.  

I am not sure what was more fun for Hazel, opening her own presents, or watching us open ours.  She loved it all!  And Averett was a big fan of the wrapping paper and boxes, of course!  

Merry Christmas, now it's time to go over the river and through the woods (oh, so literally) to Grandmother's house! 

Averett Adventures - Month 8

 

... not a lot of huge changes since last month, just "mastering" skills ...

... first Thanksgiving ...

... loves green smoothies ...

... f.i.n.a.l.l.y sleeping consistently through the night 9pm - 8am-ish (for a full month, now!) ...

... size 3 diapers ...

... da-da-da-da (your dad is so excited that you said "dad" first) ...

... you love when we talk to you (in your language) ...

... still swaddled, although we have started keeping one arm out (mostly because the swaddler won't fit with both arms) ...

... the b.e.s.t laugh ...

... notices when we leave the room ...

... pushing up on hands, and then scooting (sliding) backwards across the floor ...

... loves any and all attention that Hazel gives you ...

... mastering "sitting up" - has a regular goose-egg on your forehead ...

... can "stand" if holding something ...

... a ladies man, all the ladies at church l.o.v.e you ...

... snot, cough, snot, cough, repeat ...

... conquered an ear infection without showing any symptoms (the dr noticed it at a check-up) ...

... solid morning nap, iffy afternoon and evening naps ...

... still spitting up ...

... an amazingly happy baby, people are always commenting on how happy you are ...

... hopefully I will take more pics of you in the next month! ...

Christmas Cheer

Well, Christmas would not be complete without a trip to see this guy...

(Hazel was so very excited to see him...until she actually saw him, then Shy-Hazel appeared).

And of course, you must go see some Christmas lights.  

And lastly, for my sisters, the newest additions/projects to our little Christmas collection...

...our classic spray-painted nativity, Averett's new stocking to match, new pictures in the dining room (yay!)...

...tomato cage Christmas-trees (didn't get around to replacing the wreath...MUST do that next year), ornament tree, fresh from the sewing-machine tree skirt...

...2011 ornaments: Averett arrival & Annapolis Half Marathon medal ornament (thank you Nichole, for the great idea), the tree...

Dad Time

 A little one-on-one time with Dad.

Mom likes.

Merry Christmas!

:front:

:back:

 

 

 

Merry Christmas, friends!

Picture THIS

"The Out-Takes"

 (also known as: the pictures we liked, but not enough to go in the Christmas card)

I'll post a copy of our Christmas card soon...