Christmas Letter 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, it's true what they say, "Time really does fly," especially when you have three little people to keep up with! Here's a quick update of our lives.

Andrew turned 6 this summer and started Kindergarten, which he loves, we are officially old with a kid in school. After the first couple of days, I asked him what he likes most about school. His answer, "Riding the bus and recess." Such a boy. He also enjoys his Rockin' Readers group and has been trying to read books to us at night. Andrew also loves building with Legos and "screen time!"

Jonathan is 3 1/2 and goes to a Kid's Day Inn program one day a week. He loves it and calls it school. He had his adenoids removed and tubes put in his ears in November and is a different child since having this done. No more chronic sinus infections, and he sleeps through the night again! Jonathan loves trains, playing outside and coloring pictures. He and Andrew are co-conspirators and best buds, most of the time.

Hannah is now 14 months. I don't know how that happened so fast! She started running after her brothers at 10 1/2 months and hasn't slowed down since. She also thinks she is as big as the boys and wants to play with everything they have. She doesn't have many words yet, but we always seem to know what she wants!

Hannah is still a petite thing, but don't let her size fool you - she is mighty and capable of creating a giant mess. She's very busy and destructive, but is also a sweetie giving hugs complete with gentle, little love pats. She also has a girly side and will gently carry her baby dolls around the house. It's so fun to watch her little personality shine.

This summer we met Keith's family in Newport, RI for a fun week at the beach. The boys did not remember ever being at the ocean, and they LOVED it. Hannah did too! She even tasted the beach, which we did not recommend! They also loved playing with their cousins, Ben and Cate.

Keith is still staying very busy at work. He passed his EIT test this spring and is now studying to take his PE exam (Professional Engineer) this next spring. I stay busy keeping up with everyone's schedule and volunteering at church. I also try to keep track of everyone's latest antics on our blog: ayottefamily.blogspot.com

We are so thankful to call you friend and wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

Love,
Keith, Tanya, Andrew, Jonathan and Hannah

Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2011
Andrew - 6 years old
Jonathan - 3 -1/2 years old
Hannah - 14 months old

A certain little someone decided to stop cooperating...

And then the sillies came out...

Merry Christmas!

A nice spring day

in the middle of December!

Andrew worked on an elaborate chalk road.

Hannah was just happy to be outside running around in the fresh air.

Jonathan practiced his soccer kicks.

He kicks...

waits for the score...

and the victory celebration!

We've been blessed with a mild December and took advantage of the 50 degree temps. They played hard and slept great that night!

Hannah antics

One night

a little girl, named Hannah

decided she needed some of daddy's dessert

and to ham it up for the camera,

and make a few phone calls

instead

of

going to bed.

"Hewwo? Yeah, I'm not tired either, but my parents are!"

Bowling Christmas Party

Keith's work party was at The Alley this year, a very kid-friendly place. The boys had never experienced bowling and thought this was the greatest thing ever! Especially since they had it set up as cosmic bowling, so much cooler than the normal, boring, keep-the-lights-on-style of long-ago days. And I wish I had had the opportunity to learn to bowl with bumpers. The boys both scored as high as Keith and I. Hannah thought it was cool too, but since we didn't want her to drop a bowling ball on her tiny foot, we kept her safely away from the action. I see more family bowling nights in our future!

Drama, Drama, Drama

Hannah has started a new bad habit - pouting and throwing a small fit. It's actually quite comical and completely ridiculous. She usually starts out in the A-frame position - feet and head on the floor.

This episode was especially dramatic and required her face to be hidden.

After her little fit, she flops over and lays on the floor with a little smirk. This will only be allowed for so long and then it won't be so funny for anyone anymore! But for now it's funny and I needed to catch it on film. I can't even remember what she wanted this time. I think it might have been my camera.

The beginning of a fit.

And a non-smiling girl for once. Nap time for sure!

I think Hannah may have learned some of her drama skills from her big brother:

Andrew: "I am never, ever going outside again! I'm like a bear. I'm hibernating. I can't go outside. I hate shoes! I quit socks!"

And I could go on and on with the ridiculous comments I heard when I told him to go play outside on a beautiful day. Obviously some children in my house believe that playing outside is a new form of punishment. *sigh* And after about 10 minutes of happy play, he came inside, fake sneezing and claiming he's allergic to grass.

Christmas Program at Church

Waiting for the program to start

Singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus"

"Away in the manger no crib for his bed.
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head."

"The stars in the sky look down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Shhhhhhh....."

The 2s, 3s, PreK and Kindergarten Sunday School classes sang a couple of songs at the beginning of the service this week. The boys did great! They did all the motions and sang all the words. So proud of how big they are getting!