A little Bella-tude!

So my little princess has learned how to show a little attitude! It's hard not to laugh, even though I know it's really NOT cute...but it's so hilarious to see her fold her little arms and pout. Ha! Terrible twos do not happen in the Amini house. No, siree...we get that out of the way early!!

Legos!!

Legos have entered the building!

David's school had a lego day last week.  He and Andrew were given some legos by Auntie Elham and Uncle Darren, and we added to their set a little so that there were enough to build a good size structure. Daddy loved legos as a kid, so he was happy to teach the kids how it's done!  It was lots of fun, and I have a feeling this is the beginning of many afternoons of lego fun! :)

My Little Princess

Today I came home from work and got to watch my little princess do TWO new things.  First, I looked into the playroom and saw a very tall tower she put together completely on her own, of megablocks.  She has been playing with her brothers' legos lately and finally became interested in her own :) I asked her if she made that and she nodded and said, "Yes!"  Simple, I know, but I just love watching my children learn new things!  Then, she started to COUNT the blocks as she put them together. I am serious, not kidding....she counted INDEPENDENTLY to ten!  Did I mention she is 20 months old?  I love this little genius.  Oh, and the photo  is my first photoshop edited photo :) Yay!!

Kindergarten Cafe

In December I had the opportunity to spend some time with David and some of his kindergarten friends cooking at school.  It was so much fun! I found a recipe for snowman face cookies online and they were a big hit.  The kids got to practice their counting skills while we waited for the cookies to bake, and then we had a nice game of "I spy."  Afterwards David and his friends had to describe the steps they did to their classmates and then everyone got to enjoy the snack we made.  It was so neat to see David interacting at school. He's growing up so fast, and he is so smart and kind, and I am so proud of him.  I'm looking forward to my next chance to volunteer, and so is he :)

Christmas Donuts with the Longs



Joy and Bella



Marie and Andrew



some of the donuts the kids decorated



Joy and Grace



Marie and Bella

Marie and her mad wii bowling skills!



decoration station!



David is looking pretty serious here!

Andrew trying out his decorated donut!

the kids with Allie. They love this dog!!

Bella was tired. She told us"night night" and went to lay down with Allie

Grace giving the boys some karate lessons (stretching here )

David wrestling with his girls :)



Hope and Bella



Last year, the Long family invited us over to decorate donuts together and celebrate Christmas, and we had so much fun.  We were thrilled when they asked us if we wanted to do it again this year!  We had such a nice time of fellowship.  Marie made a yummy dinner, and then the kids decorated donuts that she made with her donut maker, which is a family heirloom!  Our boys pretty much spent the entire evening jumping off the three stairs leading to their family room (cheap entertainment, I guess), and chasing their wonderfully good-natured dog, Allie.  There was also a Wii bowling game, which I'm sorry to say us girls lost.  It was such a fun time and we are so thankful to have this wonderful family as part of our extended family!

Christmas Morning 2010

David and Daddy putting out reindeer food Christmas Eve night

Bella and her new wheels :)

Andrew opening gifts

David showing off his new zhu zhu pet that was in his stocking

Our first Christmas morning in our new house! I was so excited I could barely sleep. In fact, I woke up three times before the kids actually got up, waiting for them to wake up!  Admittedly, I overdid it with gift buying for the kids this year.  We made them give us a list of their top three wishes, and then I bought them everything else they wanted too....I just was way too excited about this.  Next year I will behave.  Anyway, the boys got new scooters, and leapster explorers, and dual lightsabers, and some board games and movies.  Bella got new balls, a new princess ride on, a princess chair, and lots of little people stuff, including a doll house :)  Mommy and Daddy enjoyed all the lovely smiles and squeals.  In the afternoon we visited our family in Monroe, and then came home for a relaxing day (spent playing the new wii game system from Jess and Kevin :)
Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2010

Nana and her grandkiddos :)

cousins :)

Jessie showing Mom how to work her new computer, a family gift to her!

Bella in her beautiful Christmas dress, a lovely hand-me-down from the Hemingways :)

The Gareys

Andrew using Uncle Darren as a recliner :)

Jessie and the wedding jewelry Mary and I gave her!

The Beesleys -to-be :)

our family finally requires kid tables :) the boy table pictured here :)

the girl table, and yes Nana is sitting with them :)

This year, we got to host Christmas Eve at our new house!  We had lunch together and exchanged Christmas gifts, and all the kids got a chance to break in our new playroom.  What fun we had! We are so thankful for family! What a wonderful gift Christmas is to us, not only did God give us Jesus, He gave us a reason to gather together the ones we love all in one place and enjoy each other!