CHRISTmas

Our family would like to take a minute to wish all of you a Merry Christmas. We are fully aware of how blessed we are, not only today, but everyday. Our family enjoyed a wonderful few days, and are looking forward to the having Nate home on vacation for the next week. 

Santa was good to us again this year, the highlights being a new dSLR camera for Brittany and a Blu-ray player for Nate. Avery received a plethora of toys and clothes, and we're actually thinking of putting about half of them away and giving them to her in a month when she's bored with the current ones. 

Here are the highlights:

It's Christmas!!!

Eagerly awaiting breakfast

She LOVES her Christmas lollipop!

Her first blue box...we're training her well :)

Hanging out with daddy

Her new ride

You mean I'm not supposed to stand on the presents???

Can't I just play with the bow?

Peek-a-boo!!

Merry Christmas!

Because we can

There are some things you do as parents simply because you can. This is one of those times...

Christmas Party

Every month or we get together with four other couples for a dinner party. This month was our Christmas party and in the rotation, we happened to be at our house. It was great to have everyone over and we even made it a pajama party. We did a gift exchange, ate yummy food and enjoyed some good wine. Here are some pictures:

I guess it's a white Christmas!

Tis the Season

This weekend we continued enjoying the Christmas season! Saturday night we got to partake in the Clark County Christmas Party at Sam's Town ... which was AWESOME! Seriously, does it get any better than a lackluster buffet, door prizes no one wanted (except Joan and her DVD players) and drunk government employees. Notwithstanding all that Brittany and I had a good time.

Despite our extreme partying Saturday night, we managed to make it out of bed and enjoy our Sunday. We hit the Mandalay Bay for some lunch at the Border Grill (excellent by the way) and got to celebrate the season. Only one more weekend before it's Christmas! YAY! We are very excited to have Avery's first Rulis family Christmas. The stockings are hung, the tree is decorated and lit and now all we need is for Santa to deliver the presents... although the best present was already delivered about 9 months ago and gets bigger by the day.

Avery's Photo Shoot

A friend of mine met us at Bellagio and took some beautiful pictures of Avery. 

9 Months Old!

Today the little bug is officially 9 months old! She is growing bigger and stronger everyday, and some of her new favorite things are blowing raspberries, saying "dada" and "mama", and walking along all of the furniture. She had her well-check today and the doctor said she is doing great. She is officially weighing in at 16 lbs 12 oz and 27 inches long (15th and 30th percentile respectively). She small, but mighty. Avery also got her first dental exam today (well, kinda). We are happy to have our cousin Sara staying with us tonight, and since she's a year away from being a full-fledged dentist, she took a look. Avery's one tooth looks great :) Here are some pictures from the day (excuse the blurriness, it's hard to keep her still these days!).

Deck the Halls!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

This weekend we took advantage of the cooling weather and Christmas activities around town. Friday night we went to the Magical Forest with our friends Karli and Kyle. Avery rode the carousel (her favorite) and the train. We drank hot chocolate and listened to the little people choir. 

Today we went with Grammy and Auntie Cilla to the Country Club to see Santa. Avery didn't really know what to think of the big guy, but at least there weren't any tears!!

Hi all! We just got back from a wonderful long weekend with Nate's parents in Oregon. We haven't been up there since Avery was born and we were all very much looking forward to it. We left on Wednesday and after a short 2.5 hour flight 

we were there. As soon as we got in, Avery was eager to try out the kneepads that Nana got her for crawling around on the tile floor

We went to bed early and got up on Thursday ready for Thanksgiving! First order of business was to show Avery the cows (daddy dressed her...)

Most of Thursday was spent most of the day cooking and relaxing. Avery LOVED her first Thanksgiving! Her favorites were turkey, rolls and of course, her own mini pumpkin pie!

On Friday, Nate got up early to go fishing with his dad, and us ladies lounged around the house. Later that night, the neighbors brought over their 8 week old daughter, McKenna. Avery loved her but couldn't understand why she didn't want to play!

Saturday we ran errands and then were eager to watch the OSU, U of O game (moment of silence please). Since Nana and Grandpa can't come to Las Vegas for Christmas, we celebrated at half-time! I have to say that Avery liked the wrapping paper just as much as the gifts

All three of us are very thankful for the gifts we received

Our last day there was the most special because Avery was dedicated in the church. Since we haven't found a home church here in Las Vegas, we decided that we would do it in Nate's parent's church so they could be there too. My mom made the most gorgious gown with the material from her wedding and Avery looked beautiful. 

After the celebration we went back to the house to hang out before having to head to the airport. Nate and I assumed our regular positions on the couch to read while Avery played with Nana and Grandpa. (I have to admit that I've become somewhat addicted to this series and read nearly 1500 pages while there)

We all really enjoyed our visit and are looking forward to Nana and Grandpa visiting for Avery's 1st Birthday in March!

Nate and I are so thankful for our family, friends and most of all, our beautiful daughter. We hope that you all had a blessed holiday.