CATZ (Christmas at the Zoo)

We took the kids to see the light at the zoo for the first time last weekend. The weather wasn't too bad - we just dressed the kids up nice and warm and piled blankets on them in the wagon and got Mommy some hot chocolate and Daddy some coffee.

The kids loved it! Ava's favorite part was watching the lights dance to the music of "Trans-Siberian Orchestra" and Aidan's favorite was staring into the bonfires saying, "Hot, hot!"

We even got to see some of the animals! In fact, some were more active in the evening than they usually are during the day.

Tree Trimmin'

I know I have been a very bad blogger considering it has been nearly a month since I have updated anything. We have been super busy, so here is my attempt at redemption!!!

Like we do every year, I go shopping on Black Friday, come back home for breakfast and a nap, and then it's Christmas decorating time.

Shopping was very successful and enlightening as I made my first (and last) trip to Wal-Mart on Black Friday - there is only so much insanity one can take!

An annual tradition. Ava always places the star on top of the tree. She has done it every year since she was born (it helped that she was nearly 1 on her first Christmas):

Visitors From The South

A couple weeks ago, Sean's older brother Rhett and his family came up from Texas for a visit. Ava loves her some cousins, and was SO excited she got to spend some time with her youngest (right now) cousin Lily. I say "right now" because on their visit, we learned that Rhett and Amy are expecting a new bundle next May 31st (Sean and Julie's anniversary - all of my loyal Blog followers would know that).

It was a very full weekend: trick-or-treating on Saturday, a visit at the in-laws followed by dinner at Ross and Ashley's place, then another family dinner at Buca di Beppo Tuesday to celebrate Memaw's birthday.

Here are a few favorite pics from the visit...

Ava and Lily playing piano:
Sunday was such a busy day, poor Lily crashed on Aunt Julie around 7:00 (I have that effect on people):

Dinner at Buca:

Rhett (aka: Sean's twin - not really, but they do look a LOT alike), Amy, and Lily:

The very proud Memaw and Pepaw with their grandbabies:

Carving Pumpkins / Pumpkins With Dad / Halloween

I know, I know, I know. Halloween was weeks ago, and I have yet to share some pics from the momentous occasion (maybe I am still blocking that night from my memory due to Aidan's meltdown). In lieu of creating a separate post for each of the remaining Halloween activities, here's a montage of the three...

Carving pumpkins at home with Daddy:

One of Ava's preschools hosted a "Pumpkin Carving With Dad" night where the kids got to carve a pumpkin (DUHH) with Dad at school. Following the carving activities, the kids surprised their dads with a little program filled with Halloween-themed songs:

Last year, I decided Ava was going to be Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz". With her dark, long, flowing, curly locks - she was the PERFECT candidate for such a costume. Unfortunately, despite all my efforts, Ava was adamant that she wanted to be a "skeleton ghost" so she could scare all the monsters away. At least she has a logical explanation...plus, it was the first time she has ever made a decision and stuck to her guns - we couldn't take that away from her!

That's our tom-girl: likes to do boy things, but her nails are polished all the while:

And our little boxer man - such a fitting costume for this bruiser! Sean thought he looked a bit like Ivan Drago...you know, that evil Russian from "Rocky IV" who killed Apollo Creed? Well, he refused to wear his boxing gloves and refused to go trick-or-treating unless he was able to roam where he pleased without holding an adults hand. Our night ended VERY early, and I can only pray next year will be better:

BOY TOYS!!

After Aidan's last birthday, it became glaringly obvious there are REAL boy toys in our house now! On his first birthday, Aidan got toys, but they were still kind of baby-ish. This year, he got toys that big boys play with.

One of the biggest hits this year was this Imaginext dragon castle he scored from Memaw and Pepaw:

Ava's Last Swimming Lesson

A couple weeks ago, Ava completed her final swimming lesson of the season. She came such a long way from the very first lesson to her last lesson. Our main goal for Ava and these lessons was to overcome her fear of going completely underwater. I would say she accomplished that...


Ava holding on to the edge of the pool and putting herself underwater (bobbing unassisted):
Perfecting her kick board skills:

Ava came such a long way in six lessons that she completed all the requirements for the beginners class, and was able to start learning some of the skills for the next level - such as, the back float:

We plan to keep signing her up to make sure she's a good, strong swimmer. Great job Ava - Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!!

Aidan's Family Party

On Aidan's actual birthday a couple weeks ago, we celebrated with my parents, Sean's family, and his grandmas. It was a fun-filled day of cake, presents, food, and family.

Grandma bought Aidan a Scooby-Doo cake (and made sure to buy an extra Scooby for Ava):
He got some really cool boy toys...:

...that the older boys wanted for themselves:

Four Kimble generations:

There was so much to do, the poor birthday boy fell asleep during dinner (a first, because this little man loves him some food):

Welcome Baby Kate!

Today, my dear friend Jenna gave birth to baby #2 - a (big) little girl. She weighed in at a healthy 9 lbs, 3ozs and was 21 inches long.

This news was especially exciting because Jenna and Brad decided to be surprised with the baby's gender.

Mom and just about everyone was convinced they would be welcoming another boy, but Kate proved us all wrong! Welcome to the world baby Kate and congrats to Brad, Jenna, and big bro Parker!

Ava's Fall Harvest

One of Ava's preschools hosted a hayride and fall festival where the kids and their parent(s) could eat snacks, play games, and pick out a pumpkin. Sean was able to attend along with Ava, and here are some of the fun things they did...

Ava played "pin-the-nose-on-the-scarecrow":
Played with pumpkin play-dough:

Ava and Daddy on the hayride:

Little Miss:

Aidan's Friends Party

For Aidan's friends party, we decided to host an Elmo-themed party complete with custom Elmo cupcakes made by a very reputable baker...me!

It was my first (and probably last) attempt at decorating cupcakes, but I thought they came out pretty cute regardless of the trouble they were! Next time, definitely leaving this job to the professionals. As far as the favors go, I decided to make them kind of funny. Since Halloween is one week after Aidan's birthday, I didn't want to give the kids any more candy than they needed. And since flu season is in full-effect, I decided to provide each kid with a treat bag that included a bottle of hand-sanitizer, tissues, Pla-Doh, and stickers. If one of my kids got that at a party, I'd appreciate it!:
The tricycle Sean and I bought Aidan (it converts from a rocking toy to a pushable trike to a peddling trike):

Aidan downing his cupcakes - yes, that's right: I said CUPCAKES (as in, two):

Mommy and her birthday boy:

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sweet Boy!

Another year has flown by! I can't believe you are the same little baby all swaddled tightly and fitting perfectly in my arms. You have grown so much in so many ways, and it is such a joy and privilege to get to experience it. But no matter what, you will always fit perfectly in my arms.

You have definitely developed your voice, and are battling with those infamous "terrible twos" - or as Mommy likes to call it "terrible year-and-a-half to threes". As hard as it can be at times, I would not give any of it back. Because just as naughty / angry / frustrating you can be, you are equally - if not more - sweet when you are happy. You are a bruiser and like to be rough, but no little boy gives better hugs than you.

The other day when I was driving to work, I started to cry when I thought about the first day we met. I still remember that immense feeling of happiness and kept thinking I would totally do it all over again.

We love you so much and can't wait to see what's next for you - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Aidan and Mommy at his 1st Birthday last year:

"Off to the pumpkin patch we go!"

That's what Ava said as we were getting in the car for one of our favorite fall traditions. We made the annual trip to the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkins (and gourds for the pets).

This year, we thought for sure that Aidan would totally dig it. However, every time we tried to get him to do something, he refused - sometimes screamed (notice none of those pictures made the blog...)

It was a VERY chilly morning, but all things considered, it was a very successful trip. We got to watch the kids - mostly Ava - do some fun things, and found some great pumpkins.

Our attempt at getting a picture of them together:
Aidan was walking around the patch kissing the pumpkins. He finally settled on the one that had dried mud stuck on it that he insisted on cleaning off:

Ava would pick up a pumpkin and say, "This one's too heavy" and set it down until she found the one that wasn't too heavy:

Aidan "puttin' out the vibe":

Our happy family on the hay ride to the patch:

Big Boy Bed

The time finally came (about a month ago...) to convert Aidan's crib to a toddler bed. The reason we decided to just go for it was because he literally wasn't fitting in his pack-n-play. We wanted to get him used to sleeping in a normal bed so when we stay overnight somewhere, it wouldn't be such a shock to his little system.

After roughly a month, he is (thankfully) sleeping perfectly in his new big boy bed. As soon as we got him proper toddler bedding - thanks to my friend Jenna - he has loved his bed ever since.

Here are my two handymen making the conversion:
Success!! The first morning after sleeping in his big bed, he was still in it:

The second night...not so much:

Julie's 30th Birthday

My dear friend Jenny and I recently celebrated our 30th birthdays. To mark the occasion, a big group of our friends headed downtown for an adults' night out.

The birthday weekend festivities actually started on Friday. Sean booked me some spa treatments - which I graciously accepted. The next morning, he cooked me a custom omelet. In the afternoon, I got to take a trip to the salon and get "my hair did". I came home to freshly baked Cherry Chip cupcakes made by Sean and the kids. Later that day, my parents came over (they had come to watch the kids while we were out), and I got to open presents from them.

We started with some pre-partying in our room. The hotel gave us a complimentary bottle of champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and bottled water to make up for the fact that they gave away our non-smoking / king-sized room to guests staying longer than promised and lied to us about it (VERY long story):
Ross and Ashley joined us for a few cocktails before heading to dinner:

Sean and The Birthday Girl:

The day after:

It was a wonderful weekend! Thank you to all who helped me celebrate :)

Our Very Own Dr. Dolittle

It appears Aidan inherited his Daddy's animal magnetism. First, a little background: Sean has always had this gift - if that's what you call it - for attracting pets. Something about him makes most peoples' cats and dogs flock to him...even the ones "that never like anyone".

Aidan has the same attracting qualities. Both of our pets ADORE their Aidan, and he adores them. He is so sweet when he pets them! He also likes to sneak Cooper some table scraps when we're not looking. Aidan will even get down on his belly to be eye-level with them.

Here are some pics Daddy snapped one afternoon when Aidan was giving some love to two of his favorite boys:

Take a number!:

Ava and Aria Say Goodbye

We recently had to deal with Ava's first experience of a friend moving away. Ava has become really good friends with our next-door neighbor, Aria. This past weekend, Aria and her family moved out of state. I cannot tell you how sad and hard it was for us to tell Ava what that meant.

The kids got to have one more night of playing before they left...