Fun with Family

Recently, Jess and Josh and their four kids (and Dog) came to NJ for a week. Avery had so much fun playing with her cousins and she learned so much that week. I think she picked up so many words just from playing with the kids It is always nice to spend time with family!! We celebrated Garretts 4th birhtday, we went to the Camden Aquarium, we celebrated Jess birthday and so much more. A lot of the week we had such nice weather that we played outside for a good chunk of the day. Avery loves to be outside. She would stand at the door and cry to go out. Here is a little show about our time together. The only pictures I don't have are from the aquarium, but hopefully I will get them soon. The last picture is Avery wondering where all of her friends are. . .so cute!
Enjoy

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In her Face

So lately I have been harassing Avery with the camera. I am trying to get some new pictures for our black and white picture wall, but now that she is mobile getting a good shot in not always easy. Not to mention the fact that every time I view a picture I have to remember to change the setting to Sepia or black and white. I kept forgetting that part. Anyway here are some of my favorites.






Now, Just for fun and everyone must vote (don't worry you won't offend me). . . who does Avery look like?


Don't let the expressions on their faces sway your decision:)

Playing in my Giraffe Tunnel

Some thoughts from Avery...
Just playing in my new giraffe tunnel that mommy got me. It kind of reminds me of some other tunnel from 13 months ago, hmmm...

Dog sitting

So this past weekend Andrew and I were dog sitting our doggie nephew, Hugo for Corrie and Josh. It was definately interesting to have Avery and Hugo! He is a good dog, but it was very busy at our house. His legs are so short that he couldn't walk down the steps to go outside, so when it was just one of us with Avery and Hugo we had to carry them both down the stair to go for the walks. Also, Avery wanted to sleep in his bed and eat his food and Hugo wanted to eat her food and play with her toys, so we had some challenges. It was fun though. Here are some pictures of us playing together.




The one thing we did learn is that we don't mind dog sitting, but we are not ready for our own dog!

Crazy weather

Last weekend the weather was 66 degrees so we were able to go to the park and play. Avery had a fun time on the swings and sliding down the sliding board. We can't wait for the weather to be nice all the time so we can enjoy playing outside.






This weekend we also were able to go outside, but this time to play in the snow! I think Avery enjoyed the snow, but she was so bundeled up she could barely walk. It was a fun time!

Bored

Ok - so is anyone else who reads the family blogs tired of "Christmas Memories". I know there are "quizzes" to study for and stuff, but I am sure there is time for an update. I want to see pictures of hair cuts and dogs playing in the snow. . .Just letting everyone know I am bored with Christmas Memories!

Story time

Avery LOVES books. . .She is always bringing me a book to read her and plopping down on my lap to read. Like most kids she loves turning the pages, sometimes before I am done reading. She also has her favorites. She loves "old Hat, New Hat", "Five little Ladybugs", and "You are Special". She continuously pulls the books off the shelf. I put them away while she naps and when she wakes up they are the first thing she goes for. I hope she always loves reading!

Happy Birthday Avery

We had a party for Avery today to celebrate her first birthday!! It was a lot of fun and Avery had no problem being the STAR of the show. Every now and then she would take inventory to make sure everyone was paying attention to her! She was so funny. Here are a few pictures from the day. . .


Nan and Pops got her a rocking horse. Nan said "I hope she doesn't get stitches playing with her horse", stay tuned we may have a follow-up post.














Avery loved when everyone sang Happy Birthday!
















At first she was not sure what to do with her cake, but . . .








She figured it out!!

Picture Time and Alittle Obsessed, but its OK because she is an amazing little girl!!

Ange posted earlier that Avery will be 1 on Saturday. We got her picture taken professionally at 11 weeks, so we decided to go and get her 1 year old photos. The photographer took plenty of pictures and we had to narrow it down. It was hard for Ange to narrow down the photos so here is a preview of some of the proofs we got. Ange ordered a lot of pictures (she only turns 1 once!), but they are all beautiful. I have to admit I got emotional when Ange was going through each of the poses.
Here is one of the pictures of Avery at 11 weeks.








This photo we got in a sepia and it is my favorite!!!

The things that entertain kids

The other night Avery was settling down to go to bed. She was sitting next to our coffee table and I was watching American Idol. At a commercial break I thought "Avery is being very quiet". I looked down and this is what I found!


Thats right she emptied the entire tissue box!! Atleast she had fun doing it!

Avery Dancing

I finally figured out how to take videos from the video camera and put them on the computer. This is one of probably many videos that will be posted.

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Thanks for Avery

Avery is turning one this month and I can hardly believe that it has been a whole year!! It has just flown by. This past year with Andrew and Avery has been a blessing. . .I never knew I had so much love to offer, but having Avery has made my heart grow. The love I have for Avery is like no other love I have experienced before, if you do not have kids (or dogs - that is for J) just wait. The love can not be put into words. Avery has also made me love Andrew more and in a new way. I have seen him grow as a man and step up in our family. I love to watch them play together, I love the look on Averys face when he walks in the door, I love when he hugs her, or when I catch him waking her up because he just "couldn't leave without looking at her". Not only do I love her, but I am in awe of her. It is amazing to watch her learn. . .new things everyday! You can see on her face when she is discovering something new and I get so excited for her. This past year has taught me so much. I now know what it is truely like to blessed with a gift from God. HE has reminded me on many occasions that she is really HIS child and Andrew and I have just been given this time to raise her up in the way HE would have her go!! I have learned that I CANNOT do EVERYTHING. I need to lean on God and others to help me, and that is ok. I have learned that Gods TIMING is perfect. So. . . Thank you God for my precious gift, for stretching me and requiring me to rely on and call on you. Avery has made me want to be a better Christian, I want her to love Jesus more than I know how, but I learned that I have to change and be a model for her to see Jesus EVERYDAY. This next year I want to pray more. I want Avery to feel and see her parents praying over her and for her. I want to love more. I want Avery to love people where they are and for who God made them to be! I want to share my faith more. Be an example for people I see everyday that are not (not yet) coming to heaven with me. I want people to know that I am praying for them. [As a side note if you are reading this - pray for my OLLY girls - they have burdened my heart (esp. Stacie).]
This past year has been the BEST one of my life and I cannot wait to see what this new one brings. It is funny how a 1st birthday can make you think so much. Just for fun here is a then and now of Avery.


Avery I love you and thank you for forever changing my life!

Christmas 07

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