Traditions...

Growing up in the Hanson household....the Hanson's always opened ONE gift on Christmas Eve..

Cousin's Bailey & Maxie are trying to help Avery open the present....she doesn't appear to want the help :)

Mommy & Daddy are continuing the tradition that mommy grew up with...the present that is opended on Christmas Eve are Christmas jammies to wear to bed that night....Miss Avery likes her new "Baby's 1st Christmas" pj's.

Avery just got her Christmas stocking....if Grandma Linda were here, we know SHE would have been the one to make this quilted stocking.

Leaving cookies and milk for Santa.....

Daddy helping Avery to hang her stocking on the fireplace. We couldn't help but think of Linda as we hung the stocking as it so looked like something she would have made.

Christmas pj's...check.....cookies & milk for Santa....check....stockings hung by the fireplace with care....check....time to put little girl to bed with hopes that Santa soon would be there.

Some people just cannot wait....

Auntie Ashley & Uncle Pete wanted Avery to open one of her presents from them on Christmas Eve....

"what is it....open the box"...

"oooohhhh, a seahorse bath toy!!!! a sippy with my name on it!!!!! and a new shirt!!!!" Thanks Aunt Ashley and Uncle Pete!!!!

Of course-Mamaw & Papaw have been dying to give Avery the Elmo "LIVE"....amazing that it made it until Christmas Eve before they caved and gave it to her ahead of time. Avery loved it but honestly Elmo entertained the adults just as much that evening.

Baby girl is starting to get sleepy....she better start heading towards bed so that Santa can pay a visit.

Christmas with Grandma Haselby

Daddy & Avery watch Great Grandma open her present from Avery.

Great Grandma helps Avery unwrap a present

Very into opening the present....Avery was starting to realize that there is something UNDER the paper that might be more fun to play with than the wrapping paper alone.

Avery has a special bond with her Great Grandma. They don't get the opportunity to see eachother very often, but Avery takes right to her Great Grandma every time.

Avery was all about cuddling with her Grandma....she just kept laying her head on Grandma and trying to love on her. It was so sweet to watch and Grandma was eating it up as well!

Playing with her new toy....

Again, she didn't want anyone else but Grandma....she laughed and played...and cuddled and snuggled...

We all enjoyed having Grandma Haselby over to our house for Christmas. We had a nice meal and soaked up spending the day visiting. Avery especially loved the quality time spent with her Great Grandma!

Pre-Christmas....being spoiled by everyone!

Avery is lucky enough to have an honorary Grandma....we call her Royal Center Grandma Darlene. Avery recieved a bag FULL of goodies from RC Grandma!

Checking out everything in the bag of goodies....

Daddy helping to open gifts...these are the first of the gifts that Avery opened. In the beginning every piece of paper went directly to her mouth.

Oh Boy-it's a baby doll for baby girl from RC Grandma! Thanks Darlene!!!!!

More paper to the mouth...

Miss Susie was kind enough to get Avery a nice little toy....Avery love the musical key set! Thanks Susie!!!

Avery opening a present from Bruce & Carolyn Vogel. They are so thoughtful to always think of Avery. She is a lucky little girl to be loved by so many.

Clearly Tuff & Marley feel they need to assist in the opening of this one. Thanks for the bath toy Bruce & Carloyn!!! It is even Elmo :)

Family Shopping Trip

"REALLY? I get to meet Santa today?"

She just HATES to shop now, can't you tell?

Next in line to visit Santa....mommy & daddy are crossing their fingers that she doesn't cry when we hand her off to the man in red.

Ummmm, who is this kid? She LOVED him! She was such a hoot!!! And the magic begins.... :)

Avery made herself quite comfortable on good ole' St. Nick's lap. Notice the handful of fur as she is making sure not to let go of him!

Quite fascinated with fuzzy sleeves....

Absolutely priceless....what a fun baby!

Glenbrook Mall in Fort Wayne has a carrousel in the middle. Avery and Mommy went for a ride. Mommy was holding Avery on the horse but next time someone needs to hold Mommy...that thing moved pretty fast!

Daddy was having a hard time capturing the moment...the ride was spinning too fast but you can still see that Avery bug is smiling ear to ear!

She giggled and kicked the entire ride. She had people sitting around the food court laughing as she was enjoying herself so much. Indiana Beach should be lots of fun in the years ahead not to mention....could she possibly end up riding horses like her mommy??!?!!?!

"Ok Mom & Dad-let's head to the toy store now....we've had enough fun at the mall"

To end the perfect shopping day, we met up with Mamaw and Papaw for dinner at Smokey Bones. Avery was all smiles from the point that we left the house at 9am til we got home that night at almost 11pm. WOW-what a long day of shopping! But we had so much fun and created so many memories. A great start to an annual family tradition.

Busy girl...oh so very busy....

Mamaw & Papaw gave Avery an exercise saucer/activity center. She LOVES it!

Trying to touch ALL of the animals at the exact same time!

Lamb chops anyone?

"Is this what bacon taste like because if so bacon taste a lot like plastic!"

Basketball season is in full swing....

and Miss Avery is pretty into the games.

Just kickin' back and relaxing while watching the Purdue game with daddy.

Daddy made her wear the hat to watch the game....poor thing :) If only it was Cream & Crimson!

We have a Mini Coach Tarkanian in the works....