Sister!

For years Katey has been pleading for a sister. Last week she got a taste of what it would be like to have a little sister! For the most part she was pleased...except when Aubrey touched her stuff or didn't do what Katey wanted...

My wonderful sister and her husband celebrated their 10th anniversary by going on a cruise and we had the privilege of spending the week with their 2 1/2 year old, Aubrey. As luck would have it, the kids had 4 days worth of snow cancellations at school that week so I had lots of help with Aubrey and they got lots of play time in.

I didn't get many pictures from the eventful week, but I did get some very important ones! One of the highlights for Aubrey of being at Aunt Jeni and Uncle Mike's house is playing the never-gets-old game of fall over in the kid chair. All 3 kids thought that was super fun and insisted on pictures. Cutie patooties!!


Aubrey was a wonderful guest to have and slept through the night...most nights. We all miss her and can still hear her little voice saying, "I want you hold me" or "Dere we Gooooooo!" So very glad we had this opportunity to spend concentrated time together!

More than a trim

Belle before





























...and after!!

Great Graciousness and Ruff Ruff

The kids had a couple of quotes over this holiday season that were just too good to not share.

Seth
Jen: Look Seth, there is a dog in the car beside us.
Seth: Yeah, that is a girl dog.
Jen: How can you tell?
Seth: (In complete and utter seriousness) I am half-dog! I just know.
???

Katey
Upon opening a Christmas present from Aunt Linda and Uncle John
Jen: What did you get, Katey?
Katey: (Looking at the box) It says mixed nuts.
Jen: Are you excited to get some mixed nuts for Christmas??
Katey: (with a slightly perplexed look on her face) Weeeeeelllllllll, I can share them with everyone!
As it turned out, the box actually contained 2 Webkinz stuffed animals, not mixed nuts. Katey was very happy! But we were so proud of her for not complaining or being upset when she thought she was getting nuts. :-)

Introducing...

The newest member of the Averill family, Belle!!

She is a bit of a ragamuffin but we are hopeful that with a little grooming she will be the "Fluffy" that Seth has always dreamed of!

Belle is a toy poodle mix and is about 6 and a half pounds, about ten inches tall and 2 years old. She came to us from a neighbor that was moving and needed to find a new home for her. We got her on December 31 and so far she is a very sweet and loving dog. She is also very bouncy - we think she may be part Tigger! This tiny thing can jump from the floor to the back of the couch with room to spare! The vet thinks she may be poodle/terrier mix with those mad jumping skills.

Mike and I knew a couple of weeks ago that we might adopt Belle but we kept it a secret from the kids. When the neighbors brought her down it was fun to see the faces of Katey and Seth when the surprise was revealed! They were both a little confused and couldn't quite grasp that she is OURS and we are not just dog-sitting.

While we are sad to see our neighbors go we are very excited to have tiny Belle as part of our family!!

Cuteness

There is just something so darn cute about kids in jammies!!!!