Baby, It's Cold Outside

I saw a really funny picture on Pinterest the other day that made me laugh.

So true.  So very, very true.  It was in the 50’s this past weekend and we nearly froze to death.  Our big outing Friday evening was going to the mailboxes four houses down.  Avery was bundled; I was bundled.  Yet, we felt like we were getting frostbite around house #2, so it turned into the fastest mailbox outing on record.

I forgot to post a picture of Avery’s beloved backpack in my last post, so here it is in all its ladybug glory…

This post is a mishmash of updates, but I’m going with it and am hopping on to the next topic...  New Years at the Taits!

We ate a delicious meal, had a fun jam sesh and the kids played their tushes off.  Both Avery and Cody were sad when it was time for us to leave.  Heck, I think we all were.  I should admit, though, that we didn’t stay late enough to ring in the New Year (not even East Coast New Year!).  We stick to bedtimes in this family and Avery was sound asleep in her bed at 7:30 p.m. and Jeff and I followed suit after we watched the anxiety-inducing, horrendoulsy crowded scene in New York.  Just in case that needs further explaining…spending New Years in New York is something I have zero desire to do. Ever.

FPT
No matter how cold, this one can always go for a good swing.

Christmas Recap...

...in mid-January?!

But, wait! I have a good excuse! We sold our townhome (herein referenced “house”) and have spent every moment of the past two weeks packing and moving, moving and packing.

Jeff and I bought the house a few months after we got married, so this is where we started the journey of our life as The Simpson Family. This is the house where we brought home our first pet…our wonderful rescue, Belle, who, as much as we talk about giving her away because she sheds so much it’s like a cruel joke, is truly a wonderful pet to have. This is the house where we have hosted countless dinners and gatherings of friends and family…too many special holidays and events to name. I do have to laugh, though, because times have surely changed in regards to this “hosting” I speak of. Back in the day louder, drunker and later parties were the norm. Nowadays, they’re more intimate, sober and scheduled around Avery’s bedtime.

Speaking of Miss Avery, isn’t it so obvious that she is the number one reason why this house means so much to us?! This was the house where we told our parents we were expecting their first grandchild; this was the house that we shared the big reveal with our extended family that we were having a girl. This is the house we brought our tiny newborn home to…where countless friends and family stopped by to meet her for the first time. I could go on and on (more), but I won’t. You get the idea. This house has meant the world to us and while we are sad to leave, we are excited for the journey ahead. We will share more about our future house later this month. For the time being, just know that we are happier than can be to be living with… my parents! Heyooo to home glorious cooked meals, laundry service and popcorn and tea every night!

Woah, Steph, this post was supposed to be about Christmas…

To say Christmas was fun this year would be a cosmic understatement. Spending the holiday with a two year old who “gets it” is just about the greatest thing in the world. From Elf on the Shelf and all the books about Rudolph to the Christmas-themed parties and fun treats, Avery was in paradise! Side note – while Avery enjoyed Elf on the Shelf, she was slightly weary of her (yes, her) and never wanted to get too close. When we told her to share with “A” what she wanted so she could tell Santa, Avery would stand pretty far back and sweetly say “backpack.” It was so cute, but I just hope the whole thing didn’t creep her out too much.

Here are some pictures to help recap the holiday…(I usually do captions, but the blogging site is broken and I had to use html...anyways, just write your own captions this time around...)  =)

FPT
Hell froze over and then the fat lady sang...