Happy 4th!!

We started out the long holiday weekend by taking Averi to her second movie at the theater--Ice Age:Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Luckily, we had another pleasant experience! She LOVES going to the movies, I think she just really enjoys having popcorn and a Sprite! Today, we hosted a family cookout at our home. Allen grilled ribs, salmon, and hot dogs---all very delicious! He did a great job! I fixed corn on the cob and a strawberry cake. The rest of the family brought twice baked potatoes, mac-n-cheese, fried zucchini, and other desserts! We were STUFFED! The kids played in the kiddie pools and sprinklers and had a big time! At dusk, the kids played with giant sparklers...well, more like held them against their will!! Averi was the first to hold a lit sparkler and not once did she cry! She did get startled when it first started, but never let go. After it burned out, she said "I not afraid!" She did a great job for a 2.5 year old holding her very first firework! Ethan was terrified!! I've never seen my Godchild scared of anything, but he sure was scared of the sparkler! He didn't want anything to do with it! And I can't really blame him after watching his older sister, Rayli get burned! She held her's up in the air & when the sparks fell, a few landed on her arm! Poor Rayli...the burn marks were not bad, it just scared her more than anything! After that incident, the sparklers were put to rest and out came the Snap-Its! They were a huge hit for the children and adults! Overall, we had a great day! We enjoy our family and LOVE spending quality time with them! Maggox (aka Maddox) chillingAveri with her sparkler, showing us how it's done!just before Rayli got burned...Ray enjoyed the sparklers more than our children...what do you think?sharing the last of the Snap-Its

What Averi thinks of baby dolls...

Allen decided it was once again time to clean out Averi's toy box this AM...for some reason it wouldn't close all the way. While he was sorting through her toys, we asked Averi if she wanted to keep her dolls. This is where she thought they belonged:
POOR BABIES! Obviously she's her mother's daughter, because growing up dolls were my least favorite toy! I remember getting "babies" for birthdays and Christmases from family & friends and being so DISAPPOINTED! My Little Ponies, coloring books & crayons, and books were all I wanted! Averi hasn't really discovered My Little Ponies yet, but she really likes horses, she loves to paint, and to read! I think she just might belong to me afterall!!

Summer fun!

Wow! Summer is going much faster than I had hoped! It's already July...where has it gone?! Obviously time flies when you're staying busy and having fun!! During the month of June we had birthday party after birthday party to attend--2 shared parties and 3 singles! There was at least one party every weekend (sometimes 2 in the same day!) and they all were lots of fun!! Between weekends we've stayed busy with swimming, sprinklers, gymnastics, and playdates! She's had so much fun so far and we're only halfway into the summer! Can't wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store!Averi & Hagan at Taylor's birthday partyJessi, Bryce, & Averi playing at Fairpark! I think Jessi was having just as much fun as the kids!
Ave waiting on her turn at swimming with Ms. Jaya (Jala)playing in the sprinkler in our backyard

I'm A Big Kid Now....

Well, I can't believe it, but it's already time for my sweet baby girl to have her very own big girl bed. She had a 3-in-1 convertible crib and had been sleeping in it as a toddler bed since she was 15 months old. But it was time to take the next step. So, the 3 of us went to Woodland Furniture on Saturday to find the perfect bed for her. Yes, it was hot, but worth the trip. Averi picked out the cutest white, metal twin size bed. So the rest of the weekend, we spent putting her bed together and searching for new bedding. I hated to put away her crib bedding since it was just so darn adorable & not so babyish (or maybe b/c part of me just doesn't want to accept that she's no longer a baby...), that I decided to just buy pink polka dot sheets & a white down comforter and still use her monogrammed quilt & shams from her crib bedding. After all, the shams are queen & boudoir size! It has turned out super cute and is still very much like a little girl. I love it and most importantly Averi does too!

Happy Father's Day, Allen!

I couldn't ask for a more loving husband and father. Averi (and Me too!)think you're the best! She can hardly wait for you to walk through the door from work every afternoon, loves to play with you, act silly with you, and loves it when you read to her. I love to see how your relationship grows more and more everyday. Thank you for all that you do for us...we love you more than you'll ever know!

Before taking daddy to dinner at Chili's (aka pepper's according to Averi)being silly with Daddy!
sweet kisses...

Splash Time!!

Summer has finally arrived! Yay! Warmer weather and longer days only warrants one thing...time to play at Veterans' Splash Park!! It's a great place to let the kids run & play in the water and let the mommies enjoy some fellowship!! Summer has just begun & we've already been twice in one week! I'm sure there will be plenty of more days like these to come!

Averi & Hagan being silly!!Hagan, Addison, & Averi snacking on Cheetos! Every time these 3 get together to play...they always have to eat too!!Averi & Hagan, the lovebirds...another playdate at the park! Averi with Kendall, Jake, Ivey Kate, & Brody

Singing in the Rain!

We had some summer showers on Memorial Day and Averi had a fit to play outside. Since it was sunny and was not thundering/lightning, we let her have some fun! She LOVED every minute of it!! We think she's just so stinkin' cute and makes everyday so memorable!