The Avery Car Wash

The Infamous Turtle

The Froggie Slide

Pollywog

Schlitterbahn

This past week we went to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. Chris's family has a family reunion every year there. It is a fun time, ecspecially now that we have Avery (well at least most of the time is fun). If we were awake and not eating we were at the Polywog Pond (kiddie area at Schlitterbahn). Avery loved it. Every time we would come off the slide she would immediatly say "again" and run back to the slide. There are a couple of different areas for the kiddie area. She had her favorite in the bigger kiddie area, a frog that was a slide and a turtle that you slide down the shell. She would go head first and come up smiling. She is a little water bug. The other area we spent a lot of time in at the kiddie area has several different small slides and water shooting out of the ground and a car wash. Avery could not decide which one she wanted to do. She would run to one, do it for a few times then go to another. All the kids were worn out every night. Of course my little one would not take a nap (no matter how hard we tried) and I think every night (we were there 4 nights) except one she went to sleep at about 11pm. Although she went to sleep late she did not wake up until about 8 to 8:30 which is amazing for her. I wish that would continue. Chloee, Timothy, and Cameron were there too so they all had fun together. Avery became Chloee's shadow (Chloee is about to turn 5). Avery would turn to Chloee and say "come on Chloee" or she would turn and wait for Chloee before getting in line. It was sweet Chloee would wait for Avery sometimes too. She would say "come on Avery" and Avery would say "I'm coming Chloee". She really enjoys playing with the kids. I enjoy because I am not having to be the source of entertainment. She enjoys playing with Cameron too (he is a month older than she is) so they have a lot of fun together, but I have really noticed that she hangs out more with Chloee. I think it is because Chloee is a girl. That amazes me that she already knows the difference because we have never said anything about that. We all had a blast. It was really fun to get a way and to visit with Chris's family. Next year should be interesting with a baby and a 3 year old. I can't believe it.

Our new baby

Healthy and Active

We had our first sonogram on 07-01-08. It was determined that we were 11 weeeks and 4 days that day and our due date is 01-16-09. He (I will just call him that because it is easier than writing he/she all the time, but we have no clue what we are having we will find out in September.) was a very active little one. He was flipping and kicking the entire time. It was so cute. Chris wants to call him Kermet because he kicked her legs and arms like a frog leaping. It is so amazing how he already looks just like a little baby and we are barely 12 weeks. How can you look at that pic and not say there is a God. We are so blessed and thankful that the Lord continues to bless us. There are hard times, but these times make it all worth it.
We showed Avery the picture of the sonogram and she said in a very serious voice "uh-oh what happened baby Avery" It was so cute. I explained to her it was just fuzzy and pointed to the hands, legs, head. Then she said "my baby". We had a picture that didn't turn out because they had run out of paper so we let Avery keep it. She felt very important. I really pray that we are able to give both our children the attention and make them feel secure. It is going to be an adjustment but I know with all of our friends, family, and of course God we will do it.

WEEEEE

CHEESE!

The Completed Swing Set

FINALLY

Okay so those of you who have had to hear me complain about our swing set, sorry. But I is FINALLY done!!!! With the help of my parents, Chris, Chris's dad, brothers and a friend throught the process it is finally completed! Chris's dad and a friend came to our house and finished it while we were in OK. They probably got tired of listening to me talk about it :) Hey it got done though. I know I need to be patient, but 7 months for a swing set. Next time we will just pay for installation (hopefully there will not be a next time). We got home Sunday evening and it was done. Avery stood at the door and squealed "my swing, my swing". She was so excited that she had swings now. We went out and played for a while. She loved it. She really enjoyed the rocket swing (baby swing) because Chris would push her really high. Every night since we have gone out and played on it. We say we have to wait until the sun goes down. Now Avery looks outside and says "sun down". We are all so excited that it is done!!!

Swinging

Popee and Avery

Train

Horse

Carousel

Oklahoma

My grandparents (my dad's parent's) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday June 26 (that is also mine and Chris's 4th anniversary). So we went up the weekend before and celebrated with them. It was a long drive (about 6 hours), but Avery did really well. We watched Mickey mostly but played too. Chris, my dad, Avery and I all went together. It was cute when we were leaving Athens (we picked my dad up) we had already told Avery that Popee was going to ride with us, but when he got out to close the garage door Avery got very upset. She thought that he was leaving and not going with us. Then she later wanted my dad to draw pictures on one of those sketcher things (they use the magnetic pen and erase with the sliding knob). He gave her it back with a picture of "avery:. She drew on it and then said "looks better" and set it down like she was satisfied with the way it looked now. It was cute.
We finally got to the hotel at 11:30, but Avery was ready to use some energy and did not go to sleep until about 1:00 am. Saturday was the anniversary party so we ate breakfast and let Avery walk around the middle of the hotel (it has a small indoor Putt-Putt golf course). Avery loved walking on the green carpet. That is all she wanted to do. She would run to it and say "more green carpet". Then we went to the place where the party was going to be and helped a little. There was a stage there so of course Avery was preoccupied with that. Chris finally said no more so what does Avery do? Turns to her Aunt Mal and says "Aunt Mal stage" in a pittyful voice. Of course she gives in, but hey I will too when Addie starts calling me "Aunt Adie" heck I already give into her.
We had lunch and went back to the hotel. I took a nap real quick, of course Avery didn't. But then when we were getting dressed to leave Chris held her for 2 minutes and she was out. The child who never sleeps takes a nap all on her own today of all days. So we decided to leave Avery and daddy at the hotel with our car so they could come later.
Avery slept for about 2 1/2 hours, which is pretty long for her. The party was nice. It was nice getting to see the family. We don't get to see them much because we are all busy and scattered around.
After the party we went to the town park. They have a carousel there and a small train ride. Mal, Addie, Avery and I rhode the carousel. At first Avery did not want to ride the horse, but of course in the middle of it decides she wants to. So we go back and forth between the bench and horse. She enjoyed it though. Then my dad rhode with Avery and Mom rhode with Addie on the train. She enjoyed that too. Of course know when I tell her we are going to the park she will say "and ride horse". Then she played on the playground for a while.
Sunday my mom took Avery down to play golf for a few minutes (by the way she didn't go to sleep until 1am again!!). Then we went to see my Nana and Papa Bruce (my mom's mom) for a few minutes. They have a baby horse. I think Avery would have been more impressed if she was able to pet it. Of course she did tell daddy that she wanted to carry it home in the car and put in our backyard. Hey I am all for it. I love horses can't wait until the kids are older and I can get another one. My Gimpa and Granny (mom's dad) was out of town so we didn't get to see them. Then we got back in the car and drove home.