1st Day of School

I decided to put Avery in Mother's Day Out two days a week this fall. She had her first day on Tuesday, and it was really bittersweet.  I knew that she would love it and have a blast but I just felt so weird dropping her off somewhere other than church.  It feels like she was born just a couple of months ago so the fact that she is old enough to go to "school" is just crazy to me!

 

We had meet the teacher last Thursday.  Avery was able to play in the classroom with the other kids for an hour to get used to the surroundings.  She had a great time playing with the puzzles, princess little people, and baby dolls.  After that, she talked about going back constantly.  On Tuesday morning, I asked if she was ready to go to school, and she was really excited!

 

She looks way too old in this picture! I could just cry!

I'm ready!



Of course, I had to get a shot in front of the school.

Look who we ran into!  Hugs before going their separate ways inside.



When I dropped her off, she went right in and got to work on the puzzles. 

Ave was really excited to go back to school and play this morning today too.  When I went to pick her up, she was covered in stickers both on the front and back of her shirt and couldn't be more proud.  It makes me so happy to see her adjust so well, and I can't wait to see what she learns at school!

Sophia is One!

Sophia turned one a couple of weeks ago, and Scott and Steph threw her a birthday party at my parents' house.   Avery was so excited to celebrate Sophia's birthday especially since it was a giraffe themed party.

Steph did such a great job with the decorations!

Sophie's giant giraffe- Avery loved this from the minute she saw it and gave it a million hugs throughout the party

The birthday girl!!!

Ave and Sophia were working hard at coloring :)

Present time!

Right before a hug with the birthday girl

Time for cake!  Kelly made a really cute giraffe smash cake in the shape of a one.  I was impressed!

Digging in!

This girl knows how to eat some cake!

 

This one too!

Trying on my Grandpa's hat.  She kept saying, "I'm a cowgirl".

Pushing Sophia around in her new car

Laughing with Jackie

I really can't believe Sophia is already one.  Time really flies.  Avery had such a great time at her birthday party.  I think pretty much any time they are together they have a blast.  Happy birthday Sophie girl!

Summer 2012

I can't believe that summer is ending and will soon be replaced by fall.  We have been so busy with Kelly's wedding, a ton of birthday celebrations, and the craziness of keeping a toddler entertained during the heat.  We also found a house currently being built that we loved, so our house is now on the market.  Cleaning my house on minimal notice and getting out with a 2 year old and a dog is not so much fun but it will all be worth it in the end...that is if it sells!

Throughout the busyness, we've had lots of fun moments at home and at special little outings and I've got lots of pictures to prove it...

Just an ordinary day at home pushing her elephant around :)

One day, we went to my mom's barn to see Caleb, her horse.  Avery is officially obsessed with horses and loved it!

We made the rounds meeting the horses and feeding them carrots.  Her two favorites were Caleb and Chocolate.  She now calls any horse she sees one of these two names.

Checking out a few more horses from afar.

Taking a break from swimming.

In July, we celebrated my mom's birthday with the family.  

So happy to blow out candles with Grammy!

Sophia came over to play so of course Ave had to get out the hair accessories bag and give her a makeover.

Love this!

They have so much fun together!

This is one of Ave's favorite things to do- look at the cows in the field behind us with daddy.  She is so going to miss those guys!

Of course, we had to watch lots of Olympics when they were on.

Finger painting!

Avery is really into bandaids and requests them frequently.  She also loves putting them on her doll.

Baby Reagan was born!  She is just as sweet as can be and looks so much like Garrett! I just know G is going to be the best big brother.  Avery has been calling her doll Reagan for the past couple of weeks and loves talking about how cute and small the real baby Reagan is.  I am so happy that she is here and I get to hold a tiny little newborn again!

This summer has been a ton of fun but I'm ready for some routine to be established again.  I am also so excited for cool weather, fall decor, and holidays in our near future!  Avery starts school next week, and I am so excited/ nervous for her and let's be honest, me too!  It's going to be so strange having her away from me but I just know that she is going to love it.  More on that coming soon!