Oh, a Pumpkin Picking we will go!

It could not have been a more beautiful day for such a fun fall adventure. We headed out this morning to pick pumpkins for the porch, (or really, was it for the photos?).

Another family had found the perfect spot to get some fun photos, so we promptly took their spot when they were done and this is where Avery had the most fun. She loves to "bounce" on her chair at home and took to doing the exact same thing on these pumpkins.

The tractor kept dropping people off and was noisy, and while it might look like she sees a field of pumpkins ahead or something, she is running in the OPPOSITE direction of the pumpkins, towards the tractor!

Apparently, dirty pumpkins taste good? Our friends joined us and Avery and Caelin had a fun time being carried around in their wheelbarrow.

Hopefully the day and the weather brought these same smiles to everyone else's faces! This must be what they say when it is so fun to have kids, you do all the great things that you probably wouldn't do without them and get to have fun too :)

The Little Gym

Our fall Saturday mornings start out with a LOT of fun. We decided to sign up the The Little Gym since we know around here it'll be rainy and cold (eventually - not today though!) and this will be a great way to get in that play and exercise time on the weekends!

Avery loves this place. Her favorite thing is probably when they bring out the balls to play with. And, they talk a lot about confidence in the kids and that when they are not with you on the red mat, it's parent/child together until age 3, that it is because they are feeling really secure and confident to go exploring on their own, which she does EVERY time.

The rings were a new apparatus this week, not sure about them.

Every week Avery finds this hand/foot board and is simply fascinated by these images.

See people, I am already so tall, I have this slam dunk thing down :)

I am ONE...and had a party to prove it!

Turning one is so much fun! Avery had several friends over and the day turned out fantastic! Before the cake eating and birthday singing started...

Enjoying some playtime with my girlfreinds, Sophia and Caelin.
Having some fun with daddy :)

Ready to smash the cupcake...though that didn't really happen. Dainty Miss Avery decided to pretty much eat a finger full of frosting at a time.

Then, she got somewhat into it, probably when she figured out she could make a mess.

After some cake, some cleaning up and an outfit change Avery was intently discovering all the generosity of her friends. Books, clothes and toys! Enough to surely make a girl have a great day! Finally sitting in her new personalized chair. A girl has to relax after a day like that right?

So happy to have been able to celebrate with you all, and looking forward to many more happy birthdays!

For more pictures, visit this album: http://www.kodakgallery.com/chriselissa/main/avery_s_first_birthday_party

Avery turned ONE!

June 13th was a special day, the day that Miss Avery turned one. We can't believe that we have been blessed with such a funny, spirited, playful, beautiful, energetic, exploratory and sweet little girl. And, it is amazing that she really is that, a little girl. No longer a baby who would just fall asleep in your arms, where entertainment was enough to just look at you or have one toy. These days we are exploring everything and it is SO fun and we look forward to more fun and much more time as a family!


We spent the day at breakfast, then headed to the Children's Museum, (this was the level of sheer excitement just being outside and in her stroller - this child LOVES being outside!), then hung out at home and got a self-portraint rare family picture.

And, here is a glimpse of what happened a year ago today!

Let me eat cake..er, donuts!

Avery celebrated her birthday at daycare with donuts. No peanuts or anything made in a place with nuts, so donuts are the recommended option, and I think Avery would agree!

She wasn't sure at first, but then got the idea and ate frosting a fingerful at a time off that donut.

And from this smile, the sugar high began!

I don't want to touch that prickly stuff!

Avery does not like grass. Not just our prickly grass, but most grass. She sits down, looks up as if to say, "Where the heck are you putting me, what is this stuff?" and then does everything in her little body's strength to not touch it. Normally, I'd say we had the makings of a little princess here, but given that she also doesn't like to get dressed or change clothes and that makes me think tomboy, I'm just not sure what this one is going to do just yet. Just don't make her touch the grass!

First and last...

Well, Avery is growing up. Her birthday is on Friday and it is time to do things big girls to. As she transitions to the toddler classroom at daycare at the end of the month, we needed to get moving on adjusting some things. So, on Saturday, we had our last bottle, she was not too upset about this over the weekend except for in the mornings when she first wakes up.

Of course, Avery can hold her own bottle and does so quite well, even though she still likes it better when we feed her, but for posterity sake, this is the last time I'll be able to give her a bottle.

Then, being four days early - don't tell on me - we switched her carseat around so she can see the world better.

Now, that is a different view of the world! All the way to work today Avery chatted up a storm, was trying to figure out why Mama could see her in the mirror and why she could see me, all the while singing away!

Our little baby is definitely growing up!