oh happy day: 2012

Christmas 2012

waiting to come down the stairs on Christmas morning

Chrsitmas is my most favorite time of the year. I love the meaning and the magic of Christmas. I love traditions and making memories. I try to do as much as I can to keep the spirit of Christmas alive and help the kids feel and know the significance of the Christmas season. This year was pretty mellow, but lots of fun. The kids didn't get out of school until the 21st which made things feel a little rushed.
Avery's Christmas list this year made me laugh. She wanted an IPad, her own cell phone, an Smartboard to play school with, her own computer, or a horse. I said sorry, not a chance. She said she would just ask Santa then and I told her that Santa wouldn't bring anything that the parents didn't say was okay. She was sad, but okay with that answer. So, she decided to ask Santa for some Barbies. that we can handle. :) Drew is easy to please and happy with anything and everything. He loves his toys and is easy to buy for. He wanted Santa to surprise him. Santa brought him a new bike!
Livi was very specific in her request. She wanted a pink train with flowers on it. Luckily Santa was able to deliver!

Avery got a new bike from Mom and Dad

Andrew made us a calendar for 2013

Andy has become the breakfast man. He wakes us up every morning and makes breakfast while we read scriptures. The kids love seeing daddy before he goes to work. They got him a new waffle maker.

Livi and her pink train from Santa

Santa put gum in livi's stocking and she was so excited!

Andrew on his new bike from Santa

The girls playing the new Guess Who game that Santa brought for the family

Andrew got a new Ninjago lego set from Grandma and spent 2 hours putting it together all by himself. He LOVES Ninjago!

Ballet

Avery started taking ballet at the Mildenhall youth center a few months ago. Her teacher is Ms. Merina, a Russian Prima ballerina lady. She is really strict, but really good with the girls. Avery has learned a lot. They had a little performance before Christmas break. Avery got to wear one of Ms. Merina's ballet costumes from Russia. It was for an older girl, but we made a few alterations to make it work. Avery LOVED wearing it, and all the other girls keep telling her hoe lucky she was. She felt pretty special! Avery did a great job in the show!

Family Picture Time

I really wanted to get Christmas cards sent out this year (for the first time since we have been married). So a local photographer was having a special on mini sessions and I booked us a slot for some pictures.

I also snapped a few pictures after our session

And our Christmas card and letter for 2012!

ALIVIA turned 3 in September and is such a light in our lives. She adores her big brother and sister and can’t wait to help with her new BABY BROTHER in March. She loves to play with her toy kitchen, throw pretend birthday parties, and pamper her baby dolls. She started ballet and loves to dance and sing around the house. Her favorite trip this year was Germany and seeing Santa at Disneyland Paris.

ANDREW will be 6 next month and is such a good boy. He has a heart of gold! He started Year 1 (kindergarten) at the British school and is a little whipper snapper. He is a great reader and loves math. One of my favorite parts about him is how he loves life. He wakes up with a smile on his face almost every morning. His favorite trip this year was spent on the beaches of Spain.

AVERY is almost 8 going on 18. She loves to wear make up and high heels and says that her “thing” is fashion. She started year 3 at the British school (2^nd grade) and is doing great! In her free time she loves to play school and wants to be a teacher when she grows up. She also enjoys ballet, soccer, art, and piano. Her favorite trip this year was Disneyland Paris and visiting Shakespeare’s hometown.

Andy and I are adjusting to life in England and enjoying travelling with the family. Every day we are more enamored with and grateful for our 3 (almost 4) children and the Joy they bring us. We are so grateful for this special season to reflect on our dear Savior and His love and mercy. It truly is a wonderful life we all have been blessed with. We wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With love, Andy, Lauren, Avery, Drew, and Livi

Avery's Baptism

We are so proud of Avery for choosing to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. It was such a sweet day. She looked so beautiful and pure in her white dress! It was hard to be so far away from family on such a special day, but we are grateful for good friends who helps us celebrate.

Avery absolutely LOVES high heels and had to have them to go with her baptism dress. When we were looking at shoes on line, she would make me zoom in on the heels of each pair of shoes to see if they were high enough. We finally settled on a pair with the high enough heels for an eight year old. When they arrived in the mail she was happy as could be. She would come home from school every day and try them on and show all of her friends her new high heels. She still wears them around the house as much as she can and talks about them all the time. Nothing makes her happier than a cute pair of high heels. :) Such a funny girl!

My little Munchkins