Beautiful Blues

Last week our sweet friend, Ms. Barbara, told us about a great place to take pictures in the bluebonnets...which was on her property.  : )  I had been wanting to capture Avery's big blue eyes in a field of beautiful bluebonnets.  So, this was the perfect opportunity.  After her 12 month check up (tear), we headed over to take a few photos. 

As you can see, she was a little confused with the situation.  She hasn't spent too much time sitting on the ground outside.  And, I believe she was more interested in the cars than my attempts to get her to smile. Obviously, I was unsuccessful!  But, I still think she looks pretty cute!

Oh what fun, our baby girl is turning ONE!

Last weekend we celebrated Avery's 1st birthday! (a few days early)  We had a little party at our house for some family and friends.  I have to be honest...I have been thinking about and planning this party for a couple of months.  And because I started early I was able to make most of the decorations, which saved us some $$$!  : )  Here are a few pics of the decor:

These are just boxes covered in paper

I was so excited to find this little stand on sale at Hobby Lobby.  I thought is was festive. : )



My friend, Brittney, taught me how to make this topiary

Pictures of Avery across the windows on each side of the table

Oreo balls-YUMMO!

The party started with some mingling and food- chips and salsa, pigs in a blanket, fruit kabobs, and of course oreo balls.  Then we opened presents!  Normally I would think to do this last, but I was afraid the birthday girl may get too messy eating her cake. Ha!

One happy little lady!

This is a bus/slide from Grammie and G-Daddy

Playhouse from Nonnie and Papa

She LOVED all of her gifts!  Everyone said she would be more interested in the boxes, but Avery was all about the toys!  Next we stripped her down for the main event.  CAKE!  This is always the highlight at a first birthday party!  : )

She was getting tired

She liked it!





Avery had a great party!  She is so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family!

Fun in the sun

Last weekend Chris' parents came in town to celebrate Avery's 1st birthday.  They got here Friday after lunch so we had the afternoon to play. The weather was perfect for a day at the park!

Avery LOVES the slide at the mall when we go to our play group.  It's pretty small so I just knew she would be thrilled to play at the park. Look at that face! I think I was right.

On the big slide with Daddy

She enjoyed the swing, but not as much as watching the two little girls swing next to us.  Avery ADORES other children and is completely entertained when there are other kids around.

Nonnie (Chris' mom) and Aves-who is looking for the kids : )

I think Daddy needs some new shorts! : )

After the park we went to Dairy Queen for ice cream.  It was my kind of afternoon!  I'm always up for a blizzard!



Happy Birthday Na-Na!

Yesterday my Na-Na turned 83!  We celebrated her birthday on Saturday in Ft. Worth at my aunt and uncle's house.  It's always so much fun when our family gets together.  My mom was still in Thailand and a few of my cousins couldn't make it, but we had a great time! My grandmother is such a sweet, loving, and classy lady.  We are blessed to have her in our lives!! 

It's official!

I

can



CRAWL!!!

Yep!  She's officially mobile!!  I was actually dreading the day when my precious baby girl would be on the move, but it is actually very exciting! During the past few weeks, Avery has been extremely frustrated.  She kept wanting to move, but wasn't quite ready to take the plunge.  Then, all of the sudden, she took off!  We were so proud of our sweet girl and she was elated with her new found trick. : )



Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas and spent a LOT of time with family!  It was so nice this year because I didn't have to worry about going back to work when all the hustle and  bustle was over.  I was able to enjoy every moment of the season.  Well...almost every moment. : ) Haha! I AM human, and anyone that knows me knows I'm never happy ALL the time. 

Anyways, back to Christmas.  The season was off to a rough start when Avery got a virus and was down for almost a week.  She was pitiful and felt awful.  We spent a lot of time at home!!!!  So I was glad when she perked up in time to travel for Christmas.  We went to my parents house for a couple of days to see my brother and his wife who were in town from Canada.  Then we headed to Arkansas to celebrate with Chris' family.  Avery was such a trooper!  She spent several hours in the car and did pretty well.  It is tradition that we drive to Chris' parents' house and do Christmas with them, and then we drive to southern Arkansas on Christmas Eve to see his mom's family.  So, this year was no different.  We strapped Avery in and attempted to see just how flexible she could be. I was pleasantly surprised at her ability to go with the flow.

Chris' mom (in blue shirt) with her siblings

Avery and Heidi playing with her present

Chris, Avery, and Cory ready to open presents

Avery got some great presents!  Chris was right...we really didn't need to get her anything this year!  haha! She would have never noticed.  

After opening presents, we loaded up and headed back to Burleson.  We left a little after Avery's bed time and quickly figured out how nice it was to travel while she slept. : )  She made one little peep, and we made it the whole way without stopping.  Christmas IS a time for miracles!! 

We spent Christmas Eve night at my sister's house in Burleson.  My BIL, Larry, had set up a little Christmas tree upstairs for the three of us.  Avery woke up and was in awe.  So much so that she stayed awake for an hour admiring the tree and her kitchen from Santa.  Good thing she's too young to really understand what was going on!  

Our little set up upstairs



Avery finally getting her hands on the kitchen

She has thoroughly enjoyed her kitchen!!  



Our next stop was my parents' house.  I am all about tradition, and I am so thankful I still get to be at "my" house Christmas morning.  It works out very nicely that our families celebrate on different days. This year my whole family was in town.  My sister and nephew came from Wisconsin, my brother and SIL from Canada, and my other sister and her family are in Burleson. 

After everyone finally got ready we opened presents and sat down for a big breakfast.  Our family is up to 13 people so Christmas has become quite the ordeal, but I LOVE IT! 

Chris surrounded by all the gifts. Most of them were for Avery!

Calman was so fun to watch!! Perfect age for Christmas!

My brother, Bo, and his wife, Rachel.

My sister, Kellie, and her son, Calman.

My sister, Becca, and her husband, Larry.

Chris helping Avery open her presents.  She had PLENTY to open!

My dad, a.k.a. G-Daddy, opening his gun. : )

Maddie and Riley

Later that day my aunt, uncle, cousins, and grandmother came over for Christmas dinner.  Then the next day we had more family out!  It was so good to see everyone, but also so tiring!  I don't know how my mom does it.  She is an amazing hostess!  Avery and I stayed there several more days and tried to make the most of the time we had with Kellie, Calman, Bo, and Rachel.  I already miss them!! 

It was a great holiday, but I am SO happy to be home!  Mostly because Avery is in her own  bed and back to sleeping through the night!! Can I get an AMEN?!?!