The Best Gift Ever...A Photo Shoot with Doug!

In early December my incredibly talented cousin, Doug Miranda, came for a visit and spent the entire day photographing the kids, and attempting to get all four of us to simultaneously look at the camera and smile for a Christmas photo. We had a great time, and with the Great Aunt Tina as his assistant, Doug got some amazing photos.

To see more photos visit his blog by clicking here. Doug is such an amazing photographer! I strongly encourage you to tell your friends who are getting married ANYWHERE (he is not afraid to travel) to call Doug. Also, if you are in Northern California, he is the best kid and family photographer you can imagine. Waylon was asking for Doug for days after he left, and Avalon kept "calling" him on her Elmo phone.

Here was one of our best family shots, which I love. However, we chose a different Christmas card where the kids were laughing (although Aaron appears to be in pain). A quick hint for those taking family photos, get the group shots done first before the kids are worn out. We forgot about that little rule. Happy holidays to everyone!!!

Rainy Day Fun: Hand Painting

A few weeks ago I signed up for a Pancakes with Santa event that was advertised at Waylon's preschool. However, after I signed up the kids saw Santa twice, and by the time the Pancake event arrived, they were over Santa, and I was not prepared for another melt down from Avalon. However, it was raining really hard, and the event was a good chance for food, crafts, and hand painting to be enjoyed by all!

The painter, Rose, was primarily painting faces, but both of my kids opted for painting on their hand. Rose had some sort of magic touch because both kids were incredibly patient while she worked her magic.

Waylon shows off his body art.

Did I mention it was raining? We had a few days of intense rain in So. Cal., and both kids went nuts for the umbrella. They each wanted their own, which made Aaron crazy since he thinks that holding an umbrella is the equivalent of juggling knives.

I was happy to let Avalon play with the umbrella while it kept her entertained.

Avalon was sooooooooooo excited to get her hand painted and was beaming the whole time.

The best Christmas tree ever...according to Avalon.

Waylon's Christmas Pageant

While I love my children a lot and am in awe of them quite often, I do not usually get wheepy about things. That changed at Waylon's first Christmas pageant. I was not prepared for the tears that came when I watched my baby walk out with his class to sing holiday songs. It just seemed so grown-up, I was totally overcome with emotion. It was a very cute performance, which included twenty almost-four-year-olds watching their teacher, Mr. Mark, and the music man (on guitar), attempting to follow their lead. It was absolutely adorable, and afterward they got a visit with Santa!

I had to include this picture of Aaron with Scott Larson as they both tried to juggle their little girls (Ivy and Avalon).

Everyone knows that the best way to warm up your vocal cords is with cookies..and corn dogs. I am not joking, Waylon had cookies and mini corn dogs before his big production.

Waylon and one of his best buddies, Sydney.

You can see Waylon in the rear, smiling when he saw us in the crowd.

Bubba is sitting down in the front row in the red sweater. Ready to begin...

Waylon is a spinning snowflake.

Important preschool skills, clapping and stomping. (They were "stomping us a Merry Christmas, and a happy new year!")

An attempt at a family photo. Apparently the guy behind Avalon's head is eager to be in on our photo op.

The big surprise was not that Avalon cried and screamed on Santa's lap, but rather that Waylon did not.

All smiles after baby sister was gone.

Telling Santa he wants a boat for Christmas. I hope he means one for the bathtub...not for the ocean.

Avalon was up way past her bedtime and was running on sugar.

Waylon's new favorite look when the camera comes out.

Avalon's First Haircut

Our little girl was looking like a little ragamuffin. After a few botched attempts at trimming her bangs at home, we decided to bring in the professionals. We set out for an evening of fun at the children's hair salon at the mall. Unlike Waylon, Avalon was great for her haircut and seemed to genuinely enjoy the experience. Of course, she didn't have a pair of buzzing sheers come at her like Waylon does, so we will cut him a little slack.

The "before" shot. I call it her street urchin look. Please note her one shoe. Avalon is obsessed with taking off one shoe. We have single shoes all over the house, and can never keep them matched.

All smiles as she was getting started.

She got a little fussy, but was quickly distracted with all of the new toys, including "steering" the rocket seat.

Totally into watching cartoons on TV. Waylon spent a good deal of time trying to convince her to change the channel to a cartoon that he wanted to watch. Avalon refused.

A family event--Aaron read to Waylon while I kept Avalon distracted from the scissors hacking away at her hair.

So many new toys!

Finished!!!! It was just a trim, but we are hoping to grow out some of the bangs that I had previously trimmed to prevent the mullet look that she was rocking.

Avalon was excited to show off her new 'do.

Playing on the roller coaster machine at the mall after the big cut.

The Snort

The hilight of Thanksgiving weekend for Waylon was the return of the Snort (aka cherry picker) to help daddy put up the Christmas lights. We talked about it for days, and the kids sat in my lap for a VERY long time just watching daddy and Ken (the snort driver) put up lights.

If you look closely, you can see Waylon on the snort, wishing he were big enough to go up.

Aaron pretending to drive while Ken wasn't looking.

Thanksgiving 2009

Once again we adopted 2 Marines from Camp Pendleton for Thanksgiving. They were incredibly polite, sweet young men. It is frightening to think of everything they will be facing in a few months when they are deployed. It was truly an honor to have them in our home!

Dinner prep with the Marines, Davis and Edgar, Ed, Avalon, Josephine, and Aaron.

Josephine was happy to keep the guys entertained while we cooked. (I should note that she actually made 90% of the meal, but was much wiser and had it all prepped in advance)

Papa plays with the kids.

Our family with Edgar and Davis.

They were pretty serious once they were back in uniform, but...

we finally got them to smile.

Plumbers Crack and Towel Girl

Tutu Time

I have been dying to put Avalon in a tutu ever since we received one as a gift when she was a newborn. Thanks to Zoe (from Sesame Street), Avalon is totally into tutu's, and was thrilled to put one on for the first time. She immediately began spinning around. I love it!

Grandpa Ed ("Papa" according to Avalon) with his little ballerina.

The ballerina/construction worker

An Afternoon with the Girls

Joanne Kline came to town for the USC/Stanford game so several of us got together on Sunday for a nice visit. After her nap, Avalon joined the fun and LOVED being the center of attention.

Avalon shows Jo the joy of messy eating.

Denise, Mary, Kath, me, Jo, Avalon, and Amy. I loved catching up with everyone, and Aaron was a good waiter while we ate and chatted.

Halloween 2009--Peter Pan & Tinkerbell

The grandaddy of all holidays was quite an event at the Davis household. For months I planted the seed for Waylon to "choose" to be Peter Pan, and he also "chose" for Avalon to dress up as Tinkerbell. WAAAAHAAAAHAAAA (***wicked laugh***)...I got my way and the kids were the cutest Peter Pan and Tinkerbell I could have ever imagined.

Waylon refused to try on any portion of his costume until the actual holiday, but I convinced him to dress up the day before (Friday) for school. Avalon also had a trial run in her costume to make sure it worked. All was well and we were ready for Halloween! Unfortunately, Aaron was traveling for work (I know, some of you are assuming he was hiding from my Halloween insanity...and you may be right), but Nana Patty and Aunt Tina were in town to celebrate.

THE DRESS REHEARSAL

Waylon trying on his costume. Note the red feather, which only lasted 2 minutes after this photo before it was ripped off.

He was so excited about his sword (handmade by mommy!).

How cute is she????!!!!! Avalon was so excited to try on her costume.

NEIGHBORHOOD HALLOWEEN PARTY

The big day arrived, and Grandpa Ed joined the fun as we headed over to a neighborhood party hosted by Rachel and Chloe. Unfortunately, as we walked towards the party the bounce house accidentally lost power and deflated. Remember my previous post about Waylon's fear of bounce houses? Lets just say that fear is pretty much unconquerable these days. It was pretty scary, but all of the kids involved were fine and quickly went back to bouncing.

My favorite day of the year!

Waylon and Chloe...another Tinkerbell! There were 3 Tinkerbells and 2 Peter Pans on our street.

Waylon, Avalon, and Chloe broke away from the party to attack the inflatable pumpkins in our yard.

We took a break from the party to rejuvenate.

Refreshed and ready to hit the party scene again.

Avalon is definitely NOT afraid of bounce houses, and is also not afraid of the big kids inside. Also, its worth expanding this picture to see the front of her dress. Classic.

A graceful exit from the bounce house.

TRICK OR TREATING

Our first trick or treating stop was at Chloe's.

Both kids LOVED trick or treating. Waylon, who is usually very shy, was good at speaking up when he called out "trick or treat," and Avalon yelled something close to "TickerTeet" while grabbing candy.

She loved showing off her candy!

Aunt Tina and I wrangle the kids while Ed was the primary photographer, and Nana stayed home to pass out candy (which is what she did when I was a kid).

More houses...

And a few more...

Back home for our final trick-or-treat stop, with Nana!

Inspecting the spoils.

After a day of total indulgence, why not top it off with a cupcake? Actually, the kids did not eat much candy. They thought it was more fun to play with and sort it.

Grandpa Ed with one exhausted Tinkerbell. I cant wait until next year!!!