Merry Christmas

Christmas is only three days away and we can safely say we are ready. We have shopped and shopped. Most of the wrapping is done and all that needs to be sent off has arrived at their destinations. Now we can relax and enjoy right? Looking back I wish I could have done all the shopping and such in October or November so we could just enjoy this month. Christmas is my most favorite time of year and I hope to pass that on to Avery. I guess it would not be the same without all the hustle and bustle.

We put up both of our trees the Sunday after Thanksgiving (that's right both trees) as well as all the rest of the decorations. Avery has loved helping me and even has her own shelf on the entertainment center that she regularly decorates with various Christmas items. She is also in charge of arranging the village houses and people. We have been having fun making cards (Avery makes dozens of cards and loves handing them out to all her "friends and cousins") so if any of you received a Christmas card that has been painted, colored, and adorned with stickers you now know why.

We took a trip to the mall to see Santa (Andy took the day off work just for the occasion). Avery was so excited to see him she had a smile from ear to ear the whole time. When he asked her what she wanted him to bring her she just said a kitchen and when he asked what else she might want she said another kitchen. I think she just wants to make sure she gets a pink kitchen. All she wants this year is a pink kitchen, a princess barbie that sings and a blue computer oh ya and a green marker, we will have to see what old Saint Nick has for her.

We have not forgotten the real meaning of the season and have been reading to her about the birth of Jesus. She knows the story very well and is excited to have a party for Jesus. Last year she made us all sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and I think she will again this year. She was invited to be in the Christmas service at Church and has even been practicing with the kids and learning the songs but I think we will hold off on it this year, she is not even three yet. One of the coordinators of the program has told me she is better behaved than the four year olds but I don't want to take my chances with her just yet she may get stage fright.

Next year will bring many new changes for our family. Avery will become a big sister, although she wishes she would be getting a big sister. We are expecting June 21, 2009 (Father's Day). We are all very excited and can't wait for the day. Avery has begun talking to my belly and telling her "sister" to come out soon. As you can guess she wants a girl and Andy is holding out hope for a boy. We have decided not to find out what we are having and it seems to make the pregnancy go by slower. If we do have a boy we are in trouble because all we have is girly pink stuff as Andy puts it.

Well I guess I should wrap this up. But before I do one more big announcement Avery is now potty trained! Hooray! For the past two months or so she has been going without diapers during the day (night potty training is still in the works). I had been trying for weeks to get her out of diapers to no avail, but one day while I was at work Dad asked her if she wanted to wear big girl underwear and she has not looked back. Good work Dad!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our friends and loved ones who may read this. We are grateful to have you all in our lives.

Been a While

Wow it has been a while since I have gotten around to updating the old blog. We have been busy little bees around here. I absolutely love Halloween and all the fun stuff there is to do around this time of year so we have done it all some things two or three times. We visited the "Witches" at Gardner Village four times this year! Avery loved it and asks every night before bed if we can go see the witches in the morning. They all had green faces and it scared her a bit so Grandma told her it was because they ate alot of green soup. It worked, she was no longer afraid. We visited a local pumpkin patch and picked our families pumpkins and then painted them (I hate the mess of carving them) I think this is the last year I can trick her into painting them though, she is so smart. I drove past the pumpkin patch yesterday and it has a sign that said 75 new home lots coming in 2009 so I guess we will have to find a new place for pumpkins...sad. We have been up hiking the Utah mountains are so beautiful. Andy had to carry Avery the whole time because she decided she does not like to hike.
Halloween was a long and fun day for us all. Avery wanted to wear her costume the moment she woke up so I got her all dressed up and took her over to Andy's office. She was showered with treats and attention two of her favorite things. I then took her to the mall (I had some shopping to do) she was given all kinds of interesting treats including perfume samples, and fairy dust. We then headed to Grandma Green's for lunch and a nap (Grandma was with us at the mall too). After our nap we headed up to Uncle Matt's office near Gateway to wish him a happy birthday and of course gather more fantastic treats. Our night was far from over so we visited a co-worker of Andy's who really, really loves Halloween and had decorated her house to the hilt. She let Avery touch and play with all of her fun treasures, she has been collecting them for years. Next we were off to Uncle JR's and Aunt Debbies we met them on their street and visited for a minute. She walked to a few of their neighbors with the girls and gathered yet more treats. Finally when we got home we walked to a few of our neighbors and did a little trick or treating in our own neighborhood. We ended the night handing out candy (Avery gave generous amounts of candy to any kid that did not have a scary costume on. I had to go behind her to give the "scary kids" candy). It was fun! Avery is already talking about next year...

28 years young! I never thought I would be this old! I remember when I was about 12 my aunt was turning 28 and I thought she was sooo old I could never imagine being that old but here I am and it doesn't feel so bad. At least I will never be as old as Andy! We had a great day going to the park and out to lunch (Andy took the day off). While we were waiting for our lunch Avery kept asking us where the slide was, it has been awhile since we have taken her to a sit down restaurant. She is so much fun lately. She can hold her own in a conversation and is getting so smart (I am completely unbiased). We still have to deal with her two year old issues once in a while but the tantrums are becoming less frequent (at least for this week!). Parenthood keeps us on our toes and there is never a dull moment, many tired ones but never dull. We have been having play dates with friends recently and Avery is really enjoying the time she can play with other kids her age. She is a little shy (I wonder where she gets that from?) but after a few minutes warms up and has a great time. She has recently taken on a imaginary friend named Ashkaley. All her dolls and stuffed animals are now named that, and we frequently have to answer the front door because Ashkaley is waiting on the porch to play. What fun huh?

The times seems to fly by and Avery is growing up so fast! We are still working on the whole potty training thing...she is so stubborn! I think that is the German Wildauer blood in her. She knows exactly what to do and when to do it but some days she wants to wear big girl panties and some days she says I'll just wear a diaper I don't feel like going potty today. Oh well we'll just go at her pace I guess. We have been watching my niece Katie this week and they are having a great time playing. I take Katie to pre-school in the afternoons and all Avery talks about is going to school with her. If she only knew her time will come soon enough. We are still having great weather and take nightly walks with the dogs Andy and I each take one of the beasts and Avery walks her little toy snoopy dog. Andy and Avery are loving the football season, Avery has almost memorized the Notre Dame fight song or as Avery calls them Motre Dame. That's it for now we love you all!

Hi family and friends! We have decided to create a family blog so all our nearest and dearest can keep up with the goings on of the Wildauer clan. I will update content and photos on a weekly basis so make sure to check back periodically.
We are busy busy this time of year with all the college football and beautiful fall weather. Avery is keeping us on our "toes". We spend much of our time playing and going for walks outside. She asks everyday if she can go to school, I don't think she is quite ready yet but she is excited about it. We are working on potty training her and she is not liking it much, we may put it on the back burner for now until she seems more interested. It is tough!
Andy is still working for Morgan Stanley in the writing department. He is enjoying for the most part and is studying to take the Series 7 General Securities Exam. It is a long process and an even longer test (8 hours I think). He is working very hard and should take the exam at the end of the month. He is loving Notre Dame Football season so far and has even got Avery in on the hype as they both put out the Notre Dame flag on Saturday mornings, play the fight song, watch clips of the movie "Rudy", and both put on their Notre Dame shirts. Avery is not that interested in watching the game just all the hoopla surrounding it and eating the snacks of course.
I have started working part time at a children's clothing store and so far have been enjoying it. I work a few evenings a week and a few hours on Saturdays. The girls I work with are fun and most of them have children. I have held back and only bought Avery a few things (that she really needed!). I am sure I will be sending "care packages" to my cute godson Jack full of great deals that I come across at the store. They have such cute boy things.
We hope all are doing well and enjoying this beautiful season we will be getting ready for Halloween; decortating and making costumes I hope this year we can talk Andy into dressing up with us. Avery is still talking about last halloween I hope she has as much fun this year as she did last.