GROWING UP

Avery loves to push her lion around while "talking" on the phone.

She gabbers and laughs at nothing at all, it's great !!!

Now she needs her phone, diaper bag, and lion

She can't smile for the camera because she "needs to take this call!"

Avery was obviously finished or her she thought her head was really hungry

Cute smile

A little more serious

Christmas with Grammy and Grandpa

Grandpa and Grammy went to Idaho for Christmas so we had a late Christmas with them

Avery was excited to see them when they got back

Opening presents

Avery with her baby doll

Christmas at Our House

We were at Laguna for a couple of hours the day before Oma and Ompa went home. We ate on a nice patio and then spent time watching the dolphins play.  They were jumping around for around 2 hours, it was really neat. We had fun taking pictures together, and we had a lot of fun having Oma, Ompa, and Spencer for Christmas.  Even if poor Spencer did break his collar bone on Christmas day. 

Watching the dolphins jump

The Family

Our sweet Avery

Our first time with our new camera

Avery loves her Oma

Down at Laguna

Look at what the facet can do...awesome

Ompa loving Avery

Getting ready for our trip to Laguna

Avery and daddy reading "The Grinch" with her own Grinch

They were having so much fun

Avery loves kitchen (nice bow)

CRUISE TIME

For a graduation present/second anniversary/1st post baby getaway we went on a 4-day Cruise with Dana and Jared to Catalina and Ensenada, Mexico.  We had a really good time.  We had some interesting guests sharing our dinner table.  We're not sure if they will remember the cruise after all their beverage consumption.  It was hard to be away from Avery (the first night the absolute worst) but it was nice to get away and be together. 

Brian was basically in a hypothermic state because he had a leaky wet suit.  

Needless to say this wasn't his most favorite snorkeling experience. 

I don't think they knew I was taking this picture

Riding in the golf cart

Brian kept getting closer and closer to the pelican.  

Jared decided he wanted to get in on the action.

Brian sneaking up on the pelican 

Touring Catalina on a $40 an hour golf cart. 

We quickly made stops so we didn't run over into the second hour and

 have to pay an additional $40.

This is as dressed up as we get

Check it out, our ship has a tail

Taking the tour the first day

Here we are on the tender boat traveling to Catalina

BRIAN'S GRADUATION

Brian with the school's President

Avery was so good during the 3 hour graduation...

so when it was over she was ready to be home.

Brian and Spencer

Brian's candy necklace from cousin Rachel!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY

I laughed when I read Dana's blog and found out that she didn't like Ava's cake because Avery's cake did not turn out either...and it looked much worse than Ava's.  I was trying something new and decided I will never do that again.  Avery didn't like it either so we ended up giving her a cupcake we made for her guests and she LOVED it!!! She loved the tissue paper (of course) and her little lion walker. She did laps back and forth for over an hour, we had to drag her to bed.

Avery and Mommy, isn't that hat too cute?!

Avery and Daddy

She loved the party favors

Grammy and Grandpa.  They were such good sports about wearing their party hats too!

YUMMY!!!!

She kept trying to do what everyone else was doing

It was nice of Avery to let us "share" her presents

This is the mess up cake, it looks like a 4 year old made it... actually they probably would have done a better job.  The icing was melting, her name was dripping off the side.  I was ready to cry. Everyone tried to console me, but they were unconvincing because they knew it was as bad and I thought it was

Thanksgiving 2007 and Fun Shots of Avery

Avery loves to play with cords!!!

This is her special basket, she loves to find her treasures

She was helping with the camera... see she wants to plug it in

She loves generic chex, she could eat them all day

Mmmmm...would you like some?

We went to Barbara's house for Thanksgiving, it is becoming a tradition. Mom did all of the cooking while the rest of us watched football and ate yummy snacks.

Grandpa was trying to get Avery's attention, but she and mommy were to focused on the game

Here's Avery tired, but yes, still watching the game.

Isn't Daddy cute though?!