Milestones

It seems that overnight our little Sophie has changed from being a 2 year old toddler to a 2 year old "big girl" who can climb out of her crib (yes we are now on the hunt for a "big girl" bed) all by herself and is starting to wear big girl panties and tell us when she needs to use the bathroom. Howie and I are amazed daily at her ever increasing vocabulary and her ability to carry on conversations with us. I am certain that she is no different from any other two year old accomplishing these mile stones, but as our "baby" we feel like she is pretty spectacular!

Showing off her big girl panties
They are pretty cool!

Scaling the crib

The Princess and the Frog

We took Sophie to see her first movie in the theater, "The Princess and the Frog." It was an awesome movie and I recommend it to everyone young and "old" alike. The movie features a return to hand drawn animation as opposed to computer animation. It gives it a more human quality in my opinion. The drawings are exquisite, the music is catchy, and the story is both funny and captivating. I give it two thumbs up!

Regal Cinemas Turkey Creek

Getting ready to go into the theater.

Watching the previews

Christmas Day 2009!

We had a wonderful Christmas Day celebrating the birth of Jesus together at home in the coziness of our house. The girls were thrilled with their presents from Santa as well as relatives. My most favorite gift was an original oil painting of Emma-Caroline and Sophie done by one of our neighbors, Mike Berry, who is a recognized local artist. The painting is AMAZING and I was so very surprised. Howie is receiving a remote control car from Santa. The elves had to put some finishing touches on it so it will arrive after Christmas. We are so happy to be together, healthy and blessed. It is a wonderful Christmas!

Barkley snoozing!
Seeing Santa's gifts for the first time!

My favorite gift, an oil painting of my sweet girls by Mike Berry

Playing with toys.

Helping Daddy open gifts.

Playing Hungry, Hungry Hippo!

I love this pic! Sophie was very determined to open all her gifts by herself.

Sophie loving on her new Fancy Nancy doll.

Opening gifts.

Emma-Caroline was so excited to have a matching dress to her American Girl Doll.

A Visit From Santa!

Santa was very busy at the Avery House Christmas Eve! Here is a look at the wonderful surprises he left under the tree for Emma-Caroline and Sophie.

The tree before Santa's Arrival
Posing with Barkley before Santa's Visit
Christmas Morning Presents from Santa!

A Christmas Eve Tradition

We spent Christmas Eve going to the beautiful services at our church and then having dinner at the Pearsons, our next door neighbors and very dear friends. We have been celebrating Christmas Eve with the Pearsons now for seven years and it is one of our most favorite things to do during the year. We are so blessed to have extended "family" here in Knoxville.

Christmas at the Grove Park Inn

The Grove Park Inn is such a wonderful cozy place to be on Christmas Eve. We enjoyed sitting by the fire, eating breakfast overlooking the snow covered mountains and seeing all of the amazing gingerbread house on display for the National Gingerbread Competition.

Driving the sleigh in front of one of he large fireplaces at Grove Park Inn

Sleigh Ride!

In front of the large lobby Christmas tree at Grove Park Inn

In the lobby of Grove Park Inn

Emma-Caroline with the Entrance Christmas Nutcracker at Grove Park Inn

Christmas at the Biltmore

The Biltmore House was absolutely stunning with all of it's beautiful Christmas decorations. My mom, Aunt Brenda and Emma-Caroline and I toured the house together while Howie stayed with Sophie as she napped. The estate had opened more newly renovated rooms since I had been there last so it was a real treat to see all of the new additions to the Biltmore Estate "Visit." We managed to take a few photos of the inside of the house before we realize that no photography was permitted on the inside.

Inside Biltmore House
Emma-Caroline in the Billiard Room of Biltmore House

On the side porch of Biltmore House. The snow was so beautiful!

Gingerbread Biltmore House in the main kitchen

Standing with one of the Lions at the entrance of Biltmore House

A Visit with Nana and Great Aunt Brenda

Nana and Great Aunt Brenda were able to spend some time with us before Christmas. They arrived last Monday and left on Christmas Eve to go home to Memphis. While they were here we traveled to Asheville and stayed at the Grove Park Inn, saw the Biltmore all decked out in Christmas finery and of course dined at Tupelo Honey, one of our most favorite restaurants anywhere. We had a wonderful visit and enjoyed spending quality time with Nana and Great Aunt Brenda.

All of us in the lobby of the Grove Park Inn
Nana and Sophie on the porch of the Grove Park Inn

Great Aunt Brenda and Emma Caroline

The girls with their Great Aunt Brenda

Nana and her granddaughters

The Candy Man (or Girls) Can!

The week before Christmas, Emma-Caroline and Sophie invited two of their very good friends Andie and Janie over to make Christmas Tree Chocolate Lollipops. None of the girls or mommy's had ever made chocolate from a mold so it was a great time for all. The girls did a wonderful job making their lollipops and we all enjoyed eating them as well.

Preparing to make chocolate with Andie and Janie

Making Candy Lollipops together. I'm so glad Miss Nancy was there to help. It was a lot more involved than I had expected with melting the chocolate and keeping it warm.

Janie, making her candy Christmas tree lollipops.

Sampling their work.

The finished product!

Christmas Caroling

Emma-Caroline and Sophie had their Christmas Concert at Sacred Heart Preschool on December 15th. Beforehand the girls also sung Christmas carols at our church with their music teacher Miss Kathleen and all of their friends. It was a wonderful evening of Christmas Caroling!

Caroling with Miss Kathleen at our church.

Sophie (far left) was a little reindeer for the Preschool Christmas Concert.

Emma-Caroline singing with her classmates. She turned to the side so everyone could see her Christmas tree on her dress. That's my girl!

Harrison and Emma-Caroline. They have been at the preschool together since they were babies. Harrison's dad is one of my high school friends from Memphis. Small world!

A Visit with Santa!

On Tuesday, Emma-Caroline, Sophie and I made a venture to the North Pole at the West Towne Mall to visit Santa Claus. Santa knew the girls' names and sat for a long while with each of them as they told them what they wanted for Christmas. Emma-Caroline told me that she even told Santa what I wanted for Christmas. Such a thoughtful little girl. I wonder what I will be getting this year in my stocking? I guess we'll see on Christmas Day!

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

Emma-Caroline had her December ballet presentation last Monday at her dance studio, Studio Arts. She really has learned so much this year and is becoming quite the ballerina! Howie, Sophie and I sure enjoyed watching our little "Sugar Plum Fairy" dance!

Chasses

Dancing in the hoop

Demi Pointe

Emma-Caroline and Lydia

Jingle Bell Fun Run/Walk for Arthritis

On Tuesday, a friend of mine said she was going to do the Jingle Bell Fun Run/Walk for Arthritis. Having myself just being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I thought after she told me about the event, "I need to do that!"
So Team Avery was created with 2 team members, myself and Barkley the Cocker Spaniel. Between Tuesday and today, race day, Team Avery raised over $1200 for the Arthritis Foundation from friends and family who so generously made pledges in support of me.

I am humbled and inspired and feel so loved and supported in my new relationship with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I am blessed to have been diagnosed so quickly and that I live in the year 2009 where medications can help to control the rapid debilitating and deforming effects of RA.

This will be the first of many future Jingle Bell Run/Walks that I participate in. There are many people who are not as fortunate as I am and deal with horrible deformities and disabilities because of arthritis in all of it's many forms.

I hope to always use my experience with arthritis to help others. Thank you so much for your support of me and the Arthritis Foundation. I am ever grateful!