Merry Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year. The kids got presents they had been wanting, we ate a ton of food, and just hung out with family.



The kids in their new pajamas. They couldn't wait for Santa to come, but let us sleep in until 7:30. They must have been tired out from the day before.


Bryce's family at his parents' house.


My family at my parents' house.


If you know Avery, you may have heard talk of "The Tiana Drum". She desperately wanted this music set for her birthday in August, but we couldn't find it anywhere. She's been talking about it ever since, and I even tried to make one for her. My mom tracked it down and Avery was so surprised. My dad even helped her try it out.


We feel so lucky and blessed this holiday season. We have a lot of exciting things coming up, and are so grateful that we can be so close to all our family, and that they can share these fun times with us!

Family Pictures

We were going to send out Christmas cards this year, but didn't. With us in the middle of moving a lot of things got put off. Plus we wanted to wait until we could send out something with our new address.


But our friend, Crystal, of Cal Artistry was awesome and took our family photos for us. We dont want them to go to waste, so these are a few of them. I love this last one of her kids and our kids, so cute! I love little kids laughing.

Basketball

Ethan just finished his basketball season. He had a good time, but I think he wants to go back to soccer next time. These are his team pictures. Thanks Shauntel for taking them.

Noelle is 11 Months

I haven't really updated on Noelle for a while. She's really growing up. I can't believe she'll be 1 next month. She sure acts like it too. She definitely thinks she's one of the big kids. She has two teeth now, can stand alone, and has taken a couple steps. She loves to say da da da and ma ma ma, but I only get the ma ma ma when she's sad. She loves Bryce to pieces and cries whenever he leaves the house. She eats everything and is pretty feisty. I'm excited to see who this little girl turns into.

Happy Birthday Caitlin!

Caitlin turned 5 this year! We told her she could have her very first friend party. And since we don't really have a house to have it at right now, we did something really fun. Build-a-Bear!


Caitlin brought some cousins and a couple friends and they had a great time together. First they chose their bears.


Then they gave them hearts. And each girl got an extra heart to give happy wishes to, to put in Caitlin's bear.


Then they each got to fill their bear.


And wash and clean their bear.


What happy girls. They were so good and had a great time together. I was really glad we did this. It ended up being pretty inexpensive and the party hosts were so fun. They really kept the girls happy.


When everyone had their bear, we had cupcakes outside on the grass, then everyone played at the playground at the mall. I loved that it was low-key and they still had a good time.


By the way, if you ever want to know how to get 6 crazy girls, with 6 big boxes, filled with 6 bears back to your car in the far parking lot, let me know.

Halloween 2010

We had a fun busy Halloween this year! I got to go to Caitlin and Avery's classes for a Halloween Carnival and Ethan's class party. We went to our ward Trunk-or-Treat, to a party with friends, and trick or treating with friends. So fun, and tiring. Glad that's over.

Now we just have Christmas....

Ethan as a gallant knight.

Caitlin as a fairy princess.

Avery as a princess.

And Noelle with her cousin, Tyce. The skunk and the monkey.

Vertuccio Farms

Caitlin and Avery had a fieldtrip with preschool and they went to Vertuccio Farms. They had so much to keep the kids busy, they didn't want to leave.


My girls will stay in a bouncy house for hours! Especially Caitlin. That is definitely her idea of fun.


But, while I was watching Caitlin jump and bounce, Avery ran off to see the train. She couldn't wait to go for a ride. The girls were so excited to be in the very first train car. I'm so glad they still like to be together.


They also had a fun mini corn maze. Just right for little girls.


But, the best (and longest) part was the girls picking out their very own pumpkin to bring home. It was very serious business.



Thank you Vertuccio Farms and Preschool!

2010 School Pictures

I finally got the girls' school pictures back, so I can post them all. I had to scan theirs in, so the quality isn't as nice as Ethan's, but they are still cute as buttons.

Ethan Dopp
First Grade 2010

Caitlin Dopp
Preschool 2010

Avery Dopp
Preschool 2010

House Update

So, some of you know, but we are out of our house! We are renting it out and right now we are living with Bryce's parents while we look for the new place. Yay! It's been a long time coming and I'm excited to see where we end up.



This was the house we moved into when we got married and the house we brought four kids home from the hospital to. Lots of memories in 8.5 years. Bye-Bye Augustine Circle!

Never Again

Two things that don't mix.

This little girl:


And these:


Good thing we have this guy around:


And this little old thing:


Twice in the last week Avery has stuck a pretzel stick up her nose...
Far up her nose.
I thought she would have learned her lesson after the first time.

Silly me.

Good thing we have Bryce around, he macgyvered our shop vac with a ball point pen and that thing was out in seconds. It sure is nice to have husbands.

I think it's safe to say that Avery will not be seeing any pretzel sticks anytime soon.

The Bus

I know the kids have been in school for a while, but I found these pictures and had to post them.


The first day riding the bus to school was much anticipated. Waiting and watching.


I'm so glad they have each other on the bus! So sweet!


Bye-Bye girls! They love the bus. Avery is asleep most days when they drop her off (it's a looong ride home), but other than that it's working out great.

First Day of School

So, today I sent three of my kids off to school. Am I getting old or what? They were all so sweet and excited. I had to have kids at two different schools at pretty much the same time, so Bryce's cousin, Sadie, helped me out by taking Ethan.


Look at Ethan. He looks like a big kid. I don't know if I can handle this whole growing up thing.


Ethan with his cousin, Toa. I know, like twins, right?

The girls are both in preschool half day. They go at the same time, but have different teachers. I hope that works out good for us. Caitlin was a little disappointed that her friends from last year are all in Avery's class. I took the girls over to the school and waited with them until it was time to go in. Avery seemed a little timid, but she still did okay. Should I be happy or sad that my kids don't care if I leave them with strangers?


Avery getting to know a classmate. That's right, Avery. No boys for you.


Caitlin waiting for school to start.

I think everyone had a good day. They all like their teachers and did some fun things. The girls were able to play together at recess, so I think that helped Avery. Caitlin's favorite thing today was painting and Avery's was ..."eating play doh". She assured me that her teacher said it was okay, but that it tasted yucky. Ethan had fun seeing all his friends from last year and learning all the "first grade rules".

I love these kids. They are growing up so fast. Excuse me while I get back to my crying, now.

Happy Birthday Avery!

Avery had kind of an interesting birthday this year. We actually celebrated her birthday three weeks early, but don't tell her! Here's some back story.

I've kind of made a rule that no one gets to be potty trained until they are three. I had really good success waiting that long with Ethan, and a really bad experience not waiting with Caitlin. Now, I know that all kids are different and maybe Caitlin just wasn't as ready. But to save my carpet and my sanity, now no one gets to until they are three.

Part of this is that we majorly hype it up. We bring the potty out and let them pick out underwear when they are two and a half, but don't let them use them. And we talk about it exhaustively for six months. So, by the time they are three they are super excited to use the potty. Also, in our house, when you turn three you are no longer a little girl/boy. You are a big girl/boy and are pretty much grown up. :) No more diapers or sippy cups, and you start big kid chores.

Avery starts preschool this year. She will be gone Monday- Thursday, half day. She is really excited, but school happens to start four days after her birthday. Not exactly ideal for my potty training plan. She's really been counting on using the potty when she's three. So, to avoid totally confusing her and to give myself a little more time, we had her party three weeks early. If you ask Avery, she's been three for a while, but her real birthday was Saturday.


Avery opening up the underwear that she's been longing for for six months. Oh, Elmo and Zoe! How I've missed you!


Avery with the birthday cake she picked and decorated herself. White cake with pink cream cheese frosting.

Avery is doing awesome with her potty training. She hasn't had any accidents during the day in a long time. I will probably still put her in pull ups for school for a little while, but over all she's doing great! She can't wait for school to start and I'm wondering what I'm going to do with only one kid at home. Bryce suggested cleaning, I'm thinking more like shopping. Hooray for Avery and for being 3!

Avery Stats:
weight: 29 lbs. (53%)
height: 37 in. (77%)
awesomeness: 3 (101%)