We have to start this post with some phrases we now say, and cute things we’ve said, because we change so fast that if mommy doesn’t write them down she’ll forget!

We use Ns for Ms a lot. So you get narbles for marbles, naybe for maybe, nap for map (clearly we don’t know or care what an actual nap is).

One of the cutest things we say is “theychothers” instead of “eachother”. So, we will say “look mommy! The animals are playing with theychothers!” Adorable.

I don’t remember is “I don’t fornember”.

And for some cute moments…

Avery said, “Mommy, when we grow up will you miss us?” “Yes I will, but you can stay with me forever if you want to.” “Okay mommy! I want to stay with you forever!” Mommy wishes, buddy! But you have to grow up 😦

And our smart Aurelia says to a cashier, “snakes eat mice and rats”.

Her uncle says to the cashier, “That’s a little nature lesson for you.”

To which Aurelia affirms, “Lucky you!” Such a smart girl. 😉

Now on to what we’ve been up to this winter!

One of the cutest pictures of Avery, holding some blue balloons to announce that he is going to have a little brother!

Lately we’ve been asking for our stuffed animals to be in pictures.

One little kitten has found her mittens.

Zoey’s birthday party at the farm!

Practice makes perfect!

Sunday hikes with mom and dad. We are really interested in maps now, and will run up to one whenever we see one.

Great place for a cup 🙂

Saturday with mommy means the Wild Iris and the bookstore.

A visit to the bookstore. Mommy thinks this thing is scary but we like it.

She was calling uncle Jim and Nana.

Waiting for the egg from Mackenzie to hatch. We had to wait for days…

More practice, and watching the egg’s progress.

Green bath slime from Denise!

Sometimes we are so cute when we just sit peacefully with each other.

Getting crazy on the playground.

Making funny faces at the Wild Iris, except Avery refuses to look at mommy.

Painting our castle!

Going to the planetarium, which is really exciting!

Love. Bagels.

Time to swim!

Now it’s time to make cookies, and we especially like “testing” the chocolate chips to see if they’re good.

We made a volcano in our playgroup, and now we are very curious about volcanoes, so we are making one of our own!

All finished! And it even has a red light on top so the lava glows.

Still, sometimes nothing compares to a box.

The fishing game!

The zoo lizard. We think we like to climb it but… we don’t.

Shrieking “get me down I’m scared!”

Otter gets a ride.

New shades. We need them in this car with no tinted windows. I told Avery that our next car will have tinted windows. He has frequently asked me when we are getting our car with dark windows? And one time at the park, a woman asked him how old he was. He said he forgot, and teasingly she said “Are you 16? Are you going to drive soon and get a car?” And he perked up and said “Yes! We are getting a car with tinted windows!” I think this kid really needs his window tints.

Consistent with his theme of not wanting his picture taken…

But then he said here, you can take a picture of my otter.

Painting presents for Grandma.

Then ice cream after all that hard work.

A ballerina kitty (she’s almost always a kitty). I think we need to try dance lessons again.

More Sunday hikes, and we are getting braver about climbing rocks.

We made a rainbow cake. Mommy tried to get pictures of Avery eating it… nope.

Tried to sneak in a picture…

Still no.

We love doing our dot letters, and Aurelia got carried away and decided to do the entire alphabet.

 

Had a picnic lunch with the geese!

Neither the goose nor the children are sure about one another.

The whole time on the doc the kids were pretending Gargamel was after them, and their shouts about Gargemel and freeze balls was no doubt entertaining (or disturbing the peace of) the kayakers.

Pajama day at playgroup! And we made pancakes!

Crafts from school!

Mommy’s trying a different trick to get a picture…

But no.

And no.

But Aurelia is always down for photo time.

Going to see a pirate play!

Shopping with mommy means we eat our groceries on the way home.

Mommy’s sweet girl!

We made valentine’s for all of our friends at school, and we will have a party with them too!

And last but not least, pictures of baby brother! Isn’t he already cute??

We’ll end this post with a throwback. Baby Avery and Aurelia. Wonder who brother will look like?

 

Now we are on our way to visit and explore Copenhagen!

As usual we did really well- we are such good little travelers. We were trying to figure out geography, and where we were, by relating it to where other people were. So mommy and daddy got lots of questions like “Where are Omi and Papa? Where is Denise? Where are Uncle Jim and Nana? Are they far away? Are we going to see them where we’re going?” etc. We look at maps sometimes to help us see how far away we were.

This girl. Playing at the airport. 🙂

These Santa lollipops were supposed to help our ears during takeoff. We finished them before the plane left the ground.

We secured baby Spike and the seal before takeoff. Safety first!

In-flight entertainment.

Our Airbnb in Copenhagen. This is our view from the dining room.

Bedroom one

Living room

Kitchen window

Well we got Peppa Pig to work, so that’s a relief.

Sleeping beauty

Stroget- a long pedestrian street.

Had to try.

Messiest snack we’ve ever eaten.

Breakfast! This boy doesn’t usually look at the camera, but he’s so cute when he does. Especially in his bear hat.

The side-eye.

Nyhavn. On our way to a boat tour through the canals.

We’re on a boat!

Library

Opera house

Caught a picture of the Church of Our Savior, which was good because there’s no way mom and dad will let us walk up those spiral steps around the outside.

Visiting the royalty

For some reason, we convinced ourselves that there must be a kitty somewhere in the palace. So we kept looking for one…

Stepped into the church for some warmth

Checked out a department store with the coolest play area, including a carousel.

Watching cartoons in the morning.

Starting the day with tasty treats from Espresso House! (When we got back to the states, we asked for a chocolate muffin for breakfast. Mommy wishes…)

More royalty at Rosenborg Castle.

Looking at the royal toilet.

A hug that turned into a dangerous wrestling match.

Check out the fancy ceilings!

We are roaring, like lions!

Wine from 1615!

Contemplating being King and Queen.

Brioche Dore at Tivoli Food Hall. They have great sandwiches and pastries- mom and dad liked them in Paris, and we like them in Copenhagen.

Back down Stroget.

To the Rundetaarn!

First inside for a snack.

Climbing up and up and up!

Finally at the top!

We visited a modern art exhibit in the tower on the way down.

Stroget at night.

Our pre-breakfast breakfast. Living the life of hobbits.

Have to brush our teeth even on vacation. If we forgot, Aurelia would remind mommy.

Fancy chocolate store across from Tivoli. This is mommy’s version of an amusement park.

Tivoli!

What cute train conductors!

He really really wanted to fire that cannon.

Our first ride.

An indoor ride (thank goodness- it was so cold out) based on the stories of Hans Christian Anderson.

Thumbelina

The Little Mermaid

Eyeing this impressive candy display.

Paid to get into the little aquarium (because if we haven’t mentioned it, it was cold outside!)

Found Dory!

Not sure if this was coal or what, but it was flaming hot, so we stood by it and ate our heart-shaped waffles. No pictures of the waffles because no one wanted to use their bare hands for that.

A very pretty Tivoli at night!

Super cute when he smiles!

To end a perfect day we got to go to Build-A-Bear. This was probably our favorite thing! It was SO cute to watch us building the animals and putting their hearts inside.

Aurelia took awhile to get used to the idea that she had to pick a deflated kitty to fill up. She wanted to buy the one already full of fluff. Luckily she perked up once she watched her brother fill up his dinosaur, and she loves her kitty (which she named Cotton Candy).

The dinosaur roars and the kitty purrs and meows.

Had to get him a hoody. It’s cold outside.

Cotton Candy had to be warm too, obviously.

Another pre-breakfast!

Almost as good as Fibonacci.

The aquarium- right on the ocean!

I think we can see Sweden.

The biggest otters we’ve ever seen. A guy behind us thought they were seals. And they were eating ice. Outside. Brrrr.

We saw Hank! Avery kept saying Hi Hank!

Our view during snack time.

Hammar-head sharks!

Back to Copenhagen. The food hall was busy even at night!

Night time treats. We need the extra calories to stay warm…

Last day. Time for a little art!

A little Degas and such.

Can’t forget the ancient art.

Blowing kisses in front of the classical vases.

We loved the rabbit.

More Degas

We saw Monets, Pissaro, Gauguin, and pointed out the ones we especially liked.

Lots of pointing at the museum.

Grabbed a pizza at the airport because it was the only thing open.

Avery discovered how he can fold his pizza in half and eat it “like a sandwhich, mommy.”

Getting tired of waiting.

Waving good-bye to Copenhagen!

Landed in Vegas in time to see fireworks from the hotel window.

Jet-lagged. And that’s a wrap! Stay tuned for a blog full of videos of our European adventures.

Fibonacci at last! Of course every member of the family are now fans. Mommy used to come here when she was pregnant and eat the muffins. Yum!

St. Nicolas church right across from Fibonacci. A pretty view with coffee.

Went for a walk around town- this is by the castle/cathedral, just below.

Beauties and the beach.

Walking back up El Born

On our way to the Jaume III Corte Ingles to stock up on supplies.

Visiting the palomas!

This is what the kiddos did in the air bnb to entertain themselves.

New duck store on Sindicat. Mommy really really wanted to buy a few ducks.

Good thing we bought the rain guard!

Pretty lights on the big Corte Ingles.

Made it back home with pastries. A very successful first day.

Tried a new bakery at the beginning of Sindicat. It was very good! Mommy especially loved the Napolitana mixta, with both dark and white chocolate.

And the coolest thing was getting to see the bakers make everything through the glass floor!

Hello, Plaza Espana!

Just walking around town, looking at the Christmas stuff.

Walking up carrer Olms

Fun stuff on La Rambla

We made it to Isabel’s lovely home!

Playing with the thoughtful gifts from Isabel.

Look how much we warmed up to her already!

Loving it- and this photo features a picture of the best clementina’s any of us have ever had.

Beautiful view from her living room window!

New day. Breakfast time!

Mommy and daddy’s old flat. Plaza Quartera. 🙂

On our way to another Fibonacci fix.

Had to show Mr. Bean a little love.

The twins have talked about this ice cream with the little cone on top since leaving. I have a feeling nothing will measure up to this. We’ll just have to go back for more.

That old olive tree.

This boy and the way he sits… 😉

Visiting Vanessa. Sorry, we don’t like to take pictures sometimes.

Valldemossa!

And here we have it. The famous coca de patata!

The only way Avery was not intentionally looking away in pictures is if he thought we weren’t taking a picture of him.

In the process of figuring out the camera is aimed at him.

Pretty Valldemossa

Having fun with in our rental car. Nice rental car seats!

Esporles

Quina Creu! With Mayte! Loving the aioli sauce!

Presents from Mayte! Aren’t we lucky!

Little animals- just what we love!

Loving Mayte too!

New day, new exploring.

Had to bring our new animals to Fibonacci.

Baby Dani! And Amy!

Fun at a book store.

The cathedral. Too bad it was closed. 😦

Beautiful view from the cathedra.

Big cathedral, little girl.

View from our kitchen. Love it!

Stocking up on more pastries.

Cappucino with Elsa!

We got more presents!

Avery did NOT want to be in the picture.

Avery’s face 🙂

Playground!

Abel got us balloons! With lights!

The lights are so pretty in Plaza Espana.

We are so tired we had fallen asleep by the time we reached the restaurant.

After waking and much crying, the ice cream penguins made everything better.

Love the conversations with these two.

Daddy looks so happy haha!

Wearing the boot that Patricia gave him filled with candy.

Being cute.

Where the ice cream and crepes are!

Yummmmmm

Found this cute little kiddo store in our neighborhood

Santa Eulalia- so pretty

Wood carvings above city hall

Walking towards El Born you see the Correos building, which is beautiful.

Another beautiful building

The most beautiful street- El Born

The kids had fun walking down El Born

We went to the chocolate shop right up from Fibonacci

Look what we bought!

In Corte Ingles. Every time we were there a dog was actually waiting there.

Aurelia kept asking for ice cream again, so we had to.

Exploring the old guild hall

Just walking around

Finally dark enough to really appreciate the lights

A pizza dinner!

Plaza Mayor

Sindicat

Back home having an evening snack

Pretty Palma streets

More Fibonacci because they have the very best coffee

Another view from our window because we are going to miss it!

On our way to Soller

Soller!

Watching the trolly

Empty streets for us to explore

Lots of fun and sun at the Port de Soller

A beach bunny… I guess there’s such a thing?

Lovely drive back through Deia

Time to watch some Christmas cartoons before dinner

Thank goodness Quina Creu was open. Merry Christmas to us!

Patatas bravas

Pimientos de padron

Buenas noches y adios, Palma!

On our way to Vegas for the beginning of our journey!  Happy faces!

Playing around in our hotel, and having dinner.

Getting donuts in the morning. We still have a long time before our flight!

Killing time, killing time…

Getting a little impatient…

Finally fell asleep

At the airport!

And we’re off!

Aurelia laughing very loudly at her movie.

Hello, Copenhagen

And off to Mallorca!

They do so well on the plane. Avery’s ears got plugged up and when we landed he shouted “Mommy! I can’t hear my mouth!”

We were so late after getting settled that the only thing open was Burger King in Plaza Mayor. The kids’ first experience of fast food.

Stay tuned for our Palma adventure!

 

Finally got our back yard done and we like it! A lot!

Costco Saturdays with mom. We go for the food, and to watch the TVs.

Fall fun with Omi and Papa.

These strings are our tails. In case you couldn’t tell.

First time going out to eat as a family of four. The pics on the left are of Aurelia crying when she realized the super cool spider cake was for the birthday guy at the table next to us. She cried so loudly that the family at the other table decided to share their cake.

Spaghetti is always fun!

Avery is getting pretty creative at drawing on mommy’s phone.

More artwork from school.

Savanah is the sweetest ❤

“Mommy, take a picture of me doing this”…

The zoo again, while it was still warm.

Avery really, really wanted these shoes. They ARE pretty.

Wild Iris again.

Too cool.

Checking out the Halloween decorations on Mt. Vernon.

Avery’s somewhat anatomically correct skeleton.

Aurelia loved her pjs- given to her by Olivia 🙂 They glow in the dark!

 

Feeling cool (with faces painted as a kitty and a cheetah).

More fall artwork from school

Halloween!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvxJDULpzIA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou_uUmhbH4o

Aurelia’s face 🙂

School party!

Presents for mommy. We made her handprints and a card- the most special gift ever!

And now it’s time for Christmas. Hello Santa!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuYbqFthyjI

More zoo time. We love the sandbox (and we’re excited that we’ll be getting one of our own soon in our backyard!)

Two cheetahs on two rocks… and Avery looking for the moon.

This is how we grocery shop…

We got ice cream after our flu shots. Avery didn’t even cry!

Wednesdays are science days at school. This week we were learning all about cicadas.

Farm fall festival! Mommy asks for smiles and she gets funny faces instead.

We did the fairy tale path in the corn maze. It was Jack and the Cornstalk.

<3!

As you can see, after the maze we really enjoyed the hay ride back to the farm.

Still refuse to look at the camera…

Popsicle time after all that hard work.

Avery isn’t too sure about pony rides. Aurelia loves them.

Avery has really been working on his coloring. Pretty impressive!

Saturday’s hike. We got to feed the geese!

Sunday was Dinosaurs in the Desert day!

The brachiosaurus was really, really tall.

 

We were especially excited about the T-Rex, and it had a baby!

Digging for fossils

The goat spa, where the goats stand around and wait for the human slaves to groom them.

Back at Omi’s, washing rocks.

Rounding it all out by being silly.

 

At school the kids do themed activities based on the season. This month has been focused on the harvest, especially apples. They picked apples, baked them and made a pie, did apple art, and finally had an apple party with apple cobbler, and apples painted on their cheeks.

They also got to take home some worms, and it was their week to take home the compost bucket. When they brought it back they got to choose a prize from the prize basket. Aurelia chose the only stuffed animal in there (an alligator) and Avery chose a shark that he named “Sharky Bruce”.

Face painting fun at school

They are getting so good at their letters. And Aurelia has started drawing faces!

We are such good helpers.

Having lots of fun at Denise’s!

Mommy walked in to find that we weren’t using the bathtub crayons on the bathtub. And no, Avery was not upset at being caught. He was upset because he wanted to draw on Aurelia and make her a tiger and she wouldn’t let him.

Fun with Omi and Papa as usual.

Birthday preparations! Avery’s on the left, Aurelia’s on the right.

Out shopping for daddy.

We met Omi and Papa in Flagstaff to celebrate Daddy’s birthday.

We ate crepes and got some candy for later.

Went shopping, on a hike, and to Barnes and Noble! Whew!

Time for presents!

The next day we met our other grandma and our aunt for lunch.

Now we are playing outside while Daddy puts his new shelving unit together.

We are still so cute when we sleep!

 

Since the blogging took a hiatus, some cute sayings of ours had been written down but not recorded in our blog! Oh no! Here are some of them from when they were two:

Neponim = m&m

Neposim = medicine

fido = spider

foon = spoon

Oh goodness me!

Oh I suck! = Oh I’m stuck

Poor mommy/daddy

fooky fooky = spooky spooky

Fike the goggy = Spike the doggy (Avery’s “s” sounds are “f”)

gragrin = dragon

fit = spit

beegoo = booger (Aurelia)

Now they’ve got their pronunciation down pretty well, but they are saying the funniest things! They still mispronounce a few things, like:

Swilver swamon = silver salmon

swamich = sandwich

foo foo = shoo shoo

And the way Avery says Oreo is the cutest, although I can hardly represent it in writing.

On to the funny things… Avery was upset on the way home from Omi’s last week. When I asked him why he was crying, he said “Because Avery can’t get Avery’s tongue out of Avery’s mouth!” (Yes, they still refer to themselves in the third person. Like royalty.)

Every night, while getting them ready for bed and brushing their teeth, I usually sing. Lately I had been singing “Oh My Darlin’ Clementine.” I consider it a family tradition, since my grandmother sang it to my mother and aunts and uncles, and to her grandchildren, and of course my mother and her siblings sang it to us cousins. I know the words are sad, but I never really paid much attention to them as a child. I just liked the melody. One night this week, when I finished the song, Aurelia half smiled and said “Mommy, that boy better keep Clementine. He losed her.” I was a little shocked that she kind of got the gist of the song, but didn’t really think much more about it. She repeated it again, and they kept asking for the song, so it was obviously making an impression. Later that night, as it was time to go to bed, Aurelia was crying. I asked her why, and she said “Because that boy losed Clementine!” Oh my goodness… then the first thing she said when she woke up the next morning was that she was sad about that song. So… now I’m making up some new verses for her. I’ve decided Clementine is going to be saved by the ducklings. And maybe she’ll teach that boy to swim!

Went to the zoo on water play day! And the picture on the right is Aurelia showing me how the baby cheetah walks on four legs.

Yellow Leaf = our new favorite, mostly because they give the baby cheetah’s “ice cream”, aka whipped cream with sprinkles on top! Plus it’s local, so bonus points there.

Keeping busy while mommy cleans the garage and daddy pulls weeds.

Had our usual Monday Funday at Omi and Papa’s.

Tuesday mommy picked us up from school and we looked like this! We had been painting with pudding, and we were messy and happy!

So excited to be on our way to see Uncle Jim and Nana.

Good morning, Laguna!

Cute little voices:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aEwWP4DBNI&feature=em-upload_owner

Balboa Park

Dinosaurs!!!!

We especially loved making the baby hatch!

Petting an ankylosaurus.

 

Avery is actually posing for the pictures 😉

Night time crazies

The master builder with his new NAT dinosaur shirt on.

Black shouldn’t really be a color choice when it comes to candy…

The melted/frozen/thawed 10 lbs of chocolate saga…

My girl

Going home!!!