Here Comes Avery

Avery the Photographer

2009-03-31T19:14:00.000-07:00

Avery loves to take pictures with whatever camera she can get her hands on. She was using her mother's point and shoot on two occasions, and I culled the best for your viewing enjoyment.

The camera doesn't have a viewfinder, instead it has a little screen. She still holds the camera up to her face though, looking at a spot where the viewfinder should be.

Dog's feet.

Rosie, wondering what Avery was up to now.

Red penguin. It is red because she had her finger over the flash.

"What fresh hell is this?"

I said "Avery, don't take a picture of Rosie's butt." Uproarious laughter, picture of dog's butt.

Me changing Jack's diaper.

More Jack

2009-03-31T19:11:00.001-07:00

We have two cameras in use, so sometimes pictures get forgotten about. Here are a few pictures of Jack, both awake and asleep.

Catching Up

2009-03-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

We all went to the mall to "ride" a pony on Saturday. Before the pony arrived, she rode the plastic one. We bought a few pictures of Avery on the real pony, so keep an eye out for them sooner or later.

Avery and I take a walk most nights, when we can, and she loves to put rocks in the sewer grate down the street. Some day the water dept. will have to come dig them all out.

Jack sleeping on his mother, which he seems to enjoy. At his 2 week checkup he was 9lb 2 oz, four days later he was 9lb 12 oz.

Avery and I went to what she calls "new park" quite a few times lately. It is Zane Landing Park and the bike trail along the river down town. Here she is sitting on an old foundation one afternoon.

Jack sleeping on his mother.

Home

2009-03-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

Since we have been home we have been adjusting to life with a newborn. So far Jack is a pretty good baby and Avery has been doing a great job with him. Hopefully it will last! Chris took a week off to help with the kids and took Avery to the park at least once a day and ran around the house with her pony.

Someone has a new brother...

2009-03-12T16:35:00.000-07:00

More here.

Coming Soon...

2009-03-11T17:25:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned...

Update

2009-03-09T19:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a medley of pictures that we have not posted for a while!

Aunt Shannon made matching shirts for the cousins so on Sunday they come over to Grammie and Grandpa's house and we lined the kids up for a group shot. They all sat there for the picture without complaining (I was amazed). I also was surprised at how much there hair color is alike. I guess I never noticed it before!

Avery tried to give hugs to her cousins during the photo shot.

I went to get a pedicure a little while ago and Avery wanted to come to. I told her that I would paint her toes when I got home instead and as soon as I got back she admired my toenail polish and asked to have hers painted.

Avery loves to pretend to drive now. The other day we put her in the front seat while Chris loaded the groceries at Krogers and when he was done she told him he could walk home that she was taking mommy to school. Here she is with my sunglasses on and everything. Luckily she has her own Barbie car that we have been able to get out more since the weather has been nice. She is still working on pushing the pedal and steering together. I will have to take pictures later and post them.

Since I was put on Bed rest more than a week ago I have been forced to lay around. Here Avery some up to me and said "mommy do you want me to lay with you?" It was really cute so we cuddled and watched some early morning television.

I was SO surprised a few weeks ago to find that Beth and Jacie from school had organized a baby shower for me and a co-worker Angela (she is due a month or so after me). It was so nice of them and SUCH a surprised since school had thrown me one for Avery. They even thought enough to get Avery a present which she loved! She thought the balloons went along with the present and was so excited to have them. Thanks again Beth and Jacie!

Hair

2009-02-19T18:36:00.000-08:00

It occured to me the other day that Avery almost always has her hair in some kind of pony tail or something. Since Megan didn't do her hair in the morning, I took it upon myself to not put her hair in a pony tail. Thus her flowing locks.

Then I styled it.

A few days later, Megan did a fancy braid thingy.

Avery's hair has grown quite long, since she has never actually had a hair cut.

A Walk with Mommy

2009-02-18T18:48:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday was very nice, so we went down to the canal park and took a walk. We stopped and threw rocks in the river.

Duck Day

2009-02-18T18:44:00.000-08:00

With daddy having furlough days on Friday, we have developed a new tradition. Kind of. We feed the ducks on Fridays.

Super Bowl Party

2009-02-08T18:35:00.000-08:00

Daddy's Shoes

2009-02-08T18:31:00.000-08:00

Her feet smelled even worse than normal after a few steps in my shoes.

Baby Noodle

2009-02-08T18:30:00.000-08:00

Avery has taken to spaghetti. We keep paper towels handy.

Bundled Up

2009-02-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

It was so cold after the big snow that Avery had to be bundled from head to toe.

Go Here

2009-02-05T18:33:00.001-08:00

http://wearethecrooks.blogspot.com/

We might move everything there eventually, might not. But for now, you get two blogs for your daily internettery, one updating JackorOwen, and one chronicling our Avery's adventures. When JackorOwen is born, we will merge them into one, we are the crooks.

Snow Angel

2009-01-28T19:05:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday's snow day Avery and I went to Grammie and Grandpa's house to play in the snow. Avery enjoyed watching Grammie sled but didn't want to go herself. She did have fun throwing snowballs, feeding the dogs next store, making snow angels and playing in her club house. Grandpa got a picture of Avery making a snow angel yesterday, not to bad for her first time!

Feed the Animals

2009-01-28T19:03:00.000-08:00

Avery loves to feed her animals, including her Pegasus and her tiger. She goes to her kitchen and makes them something, today she feed the tiger a hamburger and then a bowl of Cinnamon that she had gotten out of the spice cabinet.

Feeding the Ducks

2009-01-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

Friday was daddy daughter day thanks to my employers generous offer of an unpaid day off. On our way to feed the ducks Avery stopped to splash in the puddle outside.

The squirrel at the park gives us the glowing eyeball.

Surveying the ducks.

More puddles on the way home.

Snow Day

2009-01-28T18:47:00.000-08:00

Henry and Sarah and Franklin came to visit last weekend to play in the snow. Avery liked to give Henry snowballs and watch him throw them. She also liked to speak for him, every time his mother asked him if he wanted to go sledding Avery would say "No, Henry doesn't want to go sledding". Baby brother better watch out!!

getting ready for a sled race.

Henry.
Henry makes a break for it.

Hair Day

2009-01-28T18:45:00.000-08:00

Instead of doing her hair the other day, I put a hair thingy in. It didn't last long, but it looked cute for a while.

A New Friend

2009-01-28T18:40:00.000-08:00

Stormy and Matt came to visit, and Avery took to Stormy right away.

Twinkle Twinkle

2009-01-18T18:26:00.000-08:00

Avery is usually reluctant to perform, but here she does twinkle twinkle on demand.

Static

2009-01-15T18:46:00.000-08:00

When I came home for lunch today, Avery's hair was full of static.

Goodbye

2009-01-15T18:45:00.000-08:00

My view every morning after I drop Avery off at grandpa's house.

Pawprints

2009-01-15T18:43:00.000-08:00

Avery loves footprints and paw prints of all kinds. So I made a few from leftover applique paper, and put them on the floor. Every night I move them, and every morning she looks for them.

Snow

2009-01-15T18:41:00.000-08:00

Avery has been looking forward to catching a snowflake on her tongue for a while now. She got her chance on Tuesday, before the deluge came on Wednesday.

Hot Chocolate

2009-01-15T18:33:00.000-08:00

M0mmy gave Avery some hot chocolate after playing the snow the other day. She liked it very much.

Swab the Deck

2009-01-15T18:30:00.000-08:00

Whenever we go down to the basement to feed the dog, Avery takes a moment to, in her words, swab the deck.

Zoning

2009-01-15T18:28:00.001-08:00

Avery was pretty sick last week. Here is a photo of her zoning out in front of the TV, and taking a sip of her apple juice. Plus a bonus picture I forgot to upload.

The Licker

2009-01-15T18:25:00.000-08:00

It really defies description, but Avery thinks it is hilarious when Mrs. Potatohead licks people. Or things. Or the dog.

New Camera

2009-01-15T18:23:00.000-08:00

I got a new camera the other day, and Avery was the first subject. At the time I only really knew how to turn it on, so the pictures isn't that great, but it shows her living large on the Elmo chair.

Shapes

2009-01-15T18:20:00.001-08:00

Megan read about putting masking tape shapes down for kids. So we did. Avery thought it was great, and we spent a long time jumping around on the squares in the living room.

Abcs. Kind of.

2009-01-15T18:01:00.000-08:00

Avery can say her ABCs, and Megan tried to get her to do it on camera. She was more interested in seeing the video on the back of the camera. She can do her ABCs all the way through, and loves to sing Itsy Bitsy Spider. She can count to 10, and has known her shapes and colors for ages.

Applejacks Cereal

2009-01-11T18:08:00.000-08:00

Avery came up to the me the other day and said "i want apple jacks cereal." That cereal has never set box in my house, so I had no idea why she would be asking about it. I said "we don't have apple jacks cereal Avery." So she look at me like I was an idiot and said "I want abs soccle ick." I looked at her again and said "you want an apple?" Again, the look, and she said "I want a popsicle."

So I got her one.

Hangin' with a Rockstar

2009-01-11T18:07:00.000-08:00

Henry Bates (and his parents) came over, and Mr. Bates showed off his chops. Rock and roll.

Jewelry Party

2009-01-11T18:06:00.001-08:00

Mommy and Avery had a jewelry party a while back.

Painting

2009-01-11T18:05:00.002-08:00

Megan got Avery these magic paintbrushes that won't destroy the house. Avery enjoys them.

With Rosie

2009-01-11T18:05:00.001-08:00

Laying around with the dog.

Office Work

2009-01-11T18:03:00.000-08:00

Avery had some computer work to do a while back.

Clean Up

2009-01-11T17:52:00.000-08:00

Megan was putting groceries away when Avery came running into the kitchen saying that she was cleaning her room. She put the rest of the groceries away and Avery came back in and said "I cleaned my room, come see."

What she had done was taken the toys in her toy bin and put them in her tent. She was so happy she kept throwing her hands up in the air and saying "hooray"!

Christmas

2009-01-03T18:11:00.001-08:00

We woke up Christmas morning, and brought Avery downstairs to open her presents.

Her new cowgirl hat.

And her new horse.

She was interested enough in her new guitar that she didn't really notice the bow I put on her head.

Say cheese!

Playing with her new castle. She threw the little price figure out, and wouldn't let him back in.

Stocking first.

Hat and horse.

We had an interesting predicament after nap. Mommy wanted Avery to wear a dress and stockings, and Avery wanted no part of it. "No pants! No pants!" she yelled. She wasn't real keen on the dress either. We struck a deal; she would wear red because daddy would change into a red shirt (from a blue one) and she could wear pants under her dress. And thusly we were able to continue Christmas. She has definite ideas what she wants to wear every morning, and it is getting hard and hard to get her dressed.

The third round of presents when Grandma and Grandpa McGee came over.

Grandma and Grandpa Crook

2009-01-03T17:23:00.001-08:00

Grandma and Grandpa Crook came to visit for Christmas and Avery had lots of fun playing with them. She especially liked playing hide and seek with them throughout the house. Here are a few picture of some of the things they did together, including making a five sided Gingerbread house (I couldn't get one of the roof panels to stay up).

Grandpa Crook loved Avery's piggy, maybe next year we should get one for him!

Piggy kisses...

Christmas Eve

2008-12-30T19:05:00.001-08:00

On Christmas Eve we had Uncle Chris, Aunt Shannon, Audrey, Henry, Grandma and Grandpa Crook and Grandma and Grandpa McGee, and our friends Nichole and Dustin over. It was lots of fun. Avery got a new tent from Uncle Chris and lots (24 flavors) of Playdough from Nichole.

ZooLights!

2008-12-30T18:58:00.000-08:00

We went to ZooLights at the Columbus Zoo the Saturday before Christmas. It was a warm day, although a bit rainy, and the place was mobbed. Everywhere we went it was shoulder to shoulder. Avery's first request was the snakes, so we went to see the snakes and turtles.

This picture doesn't really do ZooLights justice. It is pretty amazing, if only for the volume of lights.
Looking at the snakes.

Franklin, Sarah, Henry and Xavier Bates met us there, and we hung out for a little while.

Riding

2008-12-30T18:54:00.000-08:00

Apart from standing on my stomach, Avery sometimes likes to ride me around like a horse.

Puzzle Time

2008-12-30T18:49:00.000-08:00

Avery has been enjoying her puzzles of late, putting them together, and then turning them over and letting the pieces fall.

Heavy Lifting

2008-12-28T19:21:00.000-08:00

Avery decides to help carry the toilet paper after grocery shopping.

Cousins

2008-11-30T18:52:00.000-08:00

The post Thanksgiving get together at Grandma and Grandpa's was full of kids. Avery had a grand time hanging out with cousins Alex, Nate and Lauren.

Butterfly Wings pt 2

2008-11-30T18:50:00.000-08:00

After leaving her butterfly wings upstairs, we had a conundrum; get them, or just try on the other pair!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-30T18:44:00.001-08:00

We went to Uncle Chris and Aunt Shannon's house for Thanksgiving. It was fun. There were kids everywhere.

Is that a wig? No, it's real!

Two little ladies.
Avery pushes Henry...
Henry pushes Avery...

Grandkids galore!

Little girls are delicious. Grandma and grandpa try raspberries.

Butterfly Wings

2008-11-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

Avery decided she wanted to wear her butterfly wings the other day. I showed her what they looked like in the mirror.

Ridin'

2008-11-30T18:42:00.000-08:00

In the Closet

2008-11-18T19:08:00.001-08:00

Avery wanted to play in the closet the other day. Never had before, and even Rosie came in for a while, until she stunk the place up. Avery figured out the doorknob, and said "daddy, you stay in closet, be right back, go get ticket (coupon the carries around)."

More Conversations with Avery

2008-11-18T19:03:00.001-08:00

"Who's here? Oh Daddy, its you!"- when I came home from work today.

"Daddy, this is my friend Mommy, you say hi mommy?"

" Daddy, you want to see picture of bald eagle? bald eagles say haw, haw."- showing me a picture of a bald eagle after work.

"I save daddy, boulder fall on daddy's leg." playing with a pillow and her horse.

"Rosie slide butt! Rosie slide butt!" When the dog does that thing dogs do.

2008-11-18T18:52:00.000-08:00

Avery rides her horsie. Yee haw!

Forts

2008-11-18T18:34:00.000-08:00

We built a fort the other day, and Avery decided to get on the "roof" crushing me under it. Then I held it so she could lay on it, and she had a grand time.

Hand

2008-11-18T18:30:00.000-08:00

Avery likes to play with her hand. She makes it talk, and talks to it, and uses it as a character when she plays. Here she is playing with her hand and her Little People house.

Not Helping Daddy Rake

2008-11-18T18:13:00.000-08:00

Raking a while ago, when it was still nice out. Avery didn't help so much as undo what I had already rake. But a good time was had by all.

Talking With Avery

2008-11-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

From recent conversations with Avery;

this morning, after a bird pooped on my head;

me: "Avery, a bird pooped on my head."
A: "I'm wearing a hat."

"nice to see you" after reaching for someone's hand.

"be gentle!" while getting her hair brushed.

"all my friends are coming to grandma's birthday."

me: "who are you calling, Avery?"
A: "Uncle Chris"

while playing with the phone this morning;
"hello? no, he not home."

"1, 2, 3, 4, 6"

"rock and roll, daddy" making a musical selection (the Black Keys) for the ride to grandpas house.

"no rock and roll!" not liking Led Zeppelin on the way to grandpas.

more to come, as soon as we remember some more.

Halloween

2008-11-02T19:25:00.000-08:00

Avery dressed as a cowgirl for halloween. Lisa across the street gave her her first piece of candy, which she enjoyed. After visiting two houses, we came home and Avery passed out candy for the rest of the night.

2008-11-02T18:47:00.000-08:00

Avery's opinion of carving a jack-o-lantern.

Catching Up

2008-11-02T18:41:00.000-08:00

A few pictures from recently, more or less.

Say Cheese.

Cooking. I can't remember why she was cooking, but she came in to the kitchen and got a thing of some kind of spice and went to her kitchen and cooked for a while.

Halloween: jack-o-lantern, these two pictures sum it up:

A tentantive feel of the pumpkin...

And then a wholesale rejection of the idea of touching in the "gooey" insides. Last year she was all about making a mess. This year, less so.

Doing Laps

2008-10-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

After dinner, Avery wanted to go outside and look at the halloween lights across the street. She didn't want to go right in, instead we ran laps around the house- at least a dozen. She said, "you can't get me" so we chased her, and said "I'm gonna get you" and she would reply "give me time to run." As we were slowing down, she said "shhhh, quiet, I have to show you something." Then "you smell something?" What, I asked; "dog poop."

Daddy's Birthday

2008-10-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

Cuddling with Daddy

Saturday was Chris's birthday and he had to work so Avery and I made him a cake and decorated the house. When I asked Avery if she wanted to help make daddy's cake she said "sure". But once she realized what it really entailed she changed her mind telling me "not". Well once she heard the mixed go she thought she would "help" by licking the mixers. What a great helper she is!!

"What?"

Helping Daddy with presents.

On Sunday we went to Dillion State park and took a walk in the woods and played on the playground. Avery got to pet a pony that was there walking the trails with really made her day!!!

Little Brother

2008-10-14T19:52:00.000-07:00

The Zoo

2008-10-05T19:11:00.001-07:00

We all went to the Zoo on Sunday, meeting Uncle Chris, Audrey and Henry there.

Mommy says "smile!"

Look!
Snack time, with horse.

During a game of peek-a-boo.

Tickle tickle.

Carousel ride.

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

We all went to a pumpkin patch on Saturday. It featured a hay ride, some animals, a big slide, and donkeys that attack without provocation.

The Hayride. Avery liked seeing the cows.

The animals. Watch out!

The slide. Avery enjoyed watching her daddy look like a goofball going down the slide.

The pumpkin.

Party on, Avery

2008-10-03T10:02:00.000-07:00

Balloons with Ella.

A baby!
Snacks.
Shortly after, she let go.

Balloon gone!
Ella helps with the presents.

Boy, come here, she said to her cousin.

Arts n' crafts.

Time for cake.
Henry, Avery and Ella check out the baby.

A rasberry for Henry.

Boy, come here. Xavier gets the treatment.

Chalk on the walk.
Thanks to everyone who came, and thanks for all the presents.

Birthday!

2008-10-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

Megan made a Pablo cake.

Presents! Cake! Hooray for birthdays!

Bounce!

2008-10-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa Crook bought Avery a trampoline for her birthday. We opened it up after dinner, so I got to put it together in twilight. Avery got a few bounces in before it was time to come in. Later, she licked the cake batter off the mixers. In her diaper.

Early Birthday

2008-09-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

Don't be sad, have a cracker!

"BIG HUG!"

"Tickle, Tickle Uncle Chris"

The Cousins came over for a pre-birthday party last weekend. They were in full effect, with Henry heading for things he shouldn't be into at every chance. Avery and Audrey were less likely to sneak off, but ran around a bunch. All in all, a good time was had by all.

A Walk in the Woods

2008-09-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

We went for a walk in the woods at Dillon last week, where we saw some bugs, including a caterpillar that walked on Avery's shoe, and posed for a group pictures with dopey looks on our faces.

Going to Chicago

2008-09-01T18:11:00.001-07:00

We left for Chicago on August 15th for my friends' wedding. Avery, due in no small part to a mini dvd player, was an angel coming and going, and the rest of the time, too. Except bedtime. She wasn't used to sleeping in a big bed with mommy and daddy. It took a while for us to figure out that she just needed to cry for a few minutes and would fall asleep. Unfortunatly, by the time we figured it out, it was 1 am Sunday. Oh well.

Taking the scenic route through Gary.

The Skyway. $5 worth.

"Big City! Big City!"

A fine Italian restaurant was the site of the rehearsal dinner.

Bed time.
Saturday before the wedding, we went to the aquarium. Avery enjoyed it very much.

Watching the dolphin show.
A glass floor allowed our miss to look down on a stingray.

Our friends Ed and Jenna.

The happy couple, Anthony and Tal. Mazel Tov!
During the wedding, Avery grabed our camera, held it to her eye and yelled "say cheese!" over and over again. It was pretty funny. Good thing we were in the back.

Avery's new buddy Walker. They played together for the entire time we weren't eating. It was great to see them playing.

Fair Time

2008-09-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

The county fair fell during the second week of August. Avery, Mommy and Grammie met me at the fairgrounds while I was at work. They viewed the cows, and Avery got to pat a county commissioner's bull. She also enjoyed the horses. Most of the time, she was pointing out poop we should avoid.

Grandpa Brought a Horse

2008-08-12T18:28:00.000-07:00

Great grandpa and Ann came through this weekend, and grandpa brought a horse.

A Brief Reunion

2008-08-12T18:20:00.001-07:00

Andrew, Kelly, Lauren, Alex, Nathan, Uncle Chris, Henry and Audrey came to grandma and grandpas house and the other Uncle Chris didn't take many pictures.

Avery in her clubhouse, and Avery chasing Nathan.

A Day at the Zoo With Grammie

2008-08-05T18:11:00.001-07:00

Today Avery, Grammie and I went to the Zoo and had a great time. The weather was perfect, not to hot and lots of animals came out to see us. Avery walked the entire time we were there (over two hours), across the length of the zoo. She did a great job. I took LOTS of pictures!

The elephant was playing with the log and walked in front of us a few times. Avery was very amused.

The tigers were another thing that captured her interest as usual.

We had some guests join us for lunch. Avery and Grammie feed them crackers.

When we went to see the penguins there was one in the water swimming around. It started following our hands. It was really neat, it followed Avery for at least ten minutes she started to pretend to feed it.

Next we rode the Carousel, even Grammie got on a horse.

The last thing we did was feed the birds. Avery liked sitting next to them as Grammie and I feed them.

Summer Deals

2008-08-01T13:28:00.001-07:00

This summer I have really lucked out with garage sales finding Avery a motorized Barbie Jeep for $35 and a house for $50! She loves the house, she calls it her "clubhouse". We haven't tried the Jeep yet, grandpa had to get a new battery but I'm sure she will love driving it as well.

To the Zoo!

2008-07-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

It was a busy weekend. On Saturday we went to the Farmers' Market, and then swimming, and on Sunday we went to the Zoo.

As soon as got there we ran into some rough characters who first demanded Avery's shoes...
then the rock she was carrying...

and then her drink.

As soon as we got there we got to touch a snake. Avery was not afraid of it at all, and enjoyed it. We met it again on the way out, and a legless lizard. She liked them both.

Waiting to touch the sea creatures.

Henry reached right in and grabbed an anemone and had it in his mouth before anyone could react. It was awesome.

Fish.
Fish!
Waiting for the carousel to start.

Not the greatest picture, but it does show what Avery held on to during part of the ride. My ear.

A rainbow lorikeet.
Hooray birds!

Feeding time at the zoo.

By the time we got home she was so tired she couldn't even wear any clothes.

Just kidding about Henry putting the anenome in his mouth, in case you read this far.

Boxy

2008-07-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning Avery marched into the front room and dumped out her box of toy food, as she has been instructed not to repeatedly. This time she climbed in the box and played with her toys.

Boxes and Big Girl Chairs

2008-07-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

Avery enjoys the big box her kitchen came in. Most mornings I climb in with her (more or less) and we hang out a bit. She says "daddy box" and off we go. One evening we put her in her new booster chair. She liked it, but has regressed a bit silverware wise. She has not been back in her big girl chair, instead asking for her high chair. By name, of course.

Corny

2008-07-27T17:42:00.000-07:00

We got some yummy sweet corn at the Farmers' Market last weekend, and one evening had it for dinner. Avery passed up her sausage for TWO pieces of corn. Yum!

The Latest

2008-07-20T19:13:00.001-07:00

Mommy decided that Daddy needed to spend some money on Saturday, so off we went to Toys R Us to buy a kitchen set.

First, a slightly older photo of Avery feeding a doll on Friday.

Putting the thing together.

Avery also enjoyed the box.

Some spice for her corn. It is quite a kitchen, with a microwave that beeps and hums, and an oven that makes boiling sounds and frying sounds. She was excited to see it when she woke up Sunday morning.

Filling the pool on a lazy Sunday.

Wearing her new knee pads that came with her new bike helmet.

Travels with Avery

2008-07-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

On Saturday morning we went to the farmers' market. Avery decided to wear my hat. On top of hers.

In the afternoon, after lunch and a nap, we went to KidZville, a huge playground. Avery really liked the bouncy bridge. I bounced her on it, although once I went a little to far and bounced her off it onto the ground, via her face. She was ok though, and got back on lickity split.

It was so hot and humid we decided to get ice cream on the way home. Avery started with a baby cone, dropped it, and thus graduated to mommy's cone, then daddy's cone, because it had sprinkles.

Fireworks and Parade

2008-07-12T18:49:00.001-07:00

Grandma and Grandma and we three went downtown to see the Fourth of July parade. It was short, but nice enough. Avery enjoyed the candy and fire trucks.

After that, we had some time to kill before the fireworks. Grandma showed Avery how to skip. Or something like that.

Running around the parking lot.

Time for cupcakes!

Watching the fireworks, waaaaay past bedtime.

July 4 Weekend

2008-07-12T18:13:00.000-07:00

We had a big shindig for the Fourth of July, with both sets of grandparents and a full compliment of cousins. But before that Avery played with her grandmother in her big rubber boots.

Of course, lots of nice presents were involved too.

Then it was party time. Toddlers and kiddy pools- a winning combination.

Our opportunistic hound waiting for a handout.

One in, one out.

Playing in the front room. Note Audrey about to take a bite out of the doll's head, and Uncle Chris' engineering class.

I wish I could think of something clever to say here, but I can't.

A half wasn't enough. She needed mommy's.

Cupcakes with Grandma Crook

2008-07-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa Crook came to visit for the fourth of July and we started the weekend out with decorating cupcakes. Avery and Grandma had lots of fun.

Daddy's home!

2008-07-05T11:26:00.000-07:00

It is thusly photographically proven that Avery walks all over her father. And jumps up and down, too.

Relaxing Weekend

2008-06-24T10:31:00.001-07:00

This weekend was very relaxing. We hung out at home on Saturday and went to the church around the corner for an ice cream social (we didn't make it to the ice cream because we spent the majority of the time in the bounce house until the sky turned black and I had to drag Avery out kicking and screaming). Instead she had Italian ice on the porch while it rained. Then on Sunday we went to Black Hand Gorge and walked the trail. We returned home in time for Avery to play with daddies glasses and take a nap.

New Jewelry

2008-06-17T18:14:00.001-07:00

On Monday Chris went back to work so Avery and I went to visit him. One of his co-workers gave Avery some things she had been saving to give to Avery from her recent Happy Meal purchases. It included a tiara, a necklace, stickers, princess cards and some fancy furry shoe cover things. Avery loved all her new presents (thanks Pam).

Avery loves her dog!!

Fathers' Day

2008-06-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

After our trip to the zoo we headed over to see Uncle Chris's for a barbecue and some fun. Avery and Audrey enjoyed playing in the pool. Henry wasn't as into it so instead he played with Grandpa.

After some swimming the cousin's eat dinner together.

The night ended with some playtime.

Fathers' day at the zoo

2008-06-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

We went to the Zoo on Sunday, with grandma and grandpa.

When we asked, the first animal Avery wanted to see were the elephants. Or maybe the tigers. But elephants were right up there. She was captivated.

Pointing out an elephant to all around her.

Grandma and the tiger.

She also enjoyed the fish in the aquarium.

Lunch time, with a flamingo from grandma.

After lunch, it was time for goats!

And a chicken.

A very relaxed (and napless) position on the way to Uncle Chris' house.

Paaaarty!

2008-06-10T19:13:00.001-07:00

The twins had a birthday party on Saturday. We arrived early, and checked out a nearby park, where Avery enjoyed the swing.

She also discovered the balance beam, making her way across it with a hand, and also trying it herself.

Avery likes bugs, too. Here we are looking at a "tiny bug."

Look. No middle finger. Happy Birthday, Henry!

Audrey is upwardly mobile.

Smiling for a picture involves tightly closed eyes.

No caption really necessary. No garden hoses involved.

Shred Day

2008-06-10T19:08:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning we shredded some old bank statements and such. After being afraid of the noise at first, Avery soon discovered the big bags of paper strips I was making.

Sprinkler

2008-06-03T19:21:00.000-07:00

We went to grandma and grandpa's to play in the sprinkler on Sunday. At first Avery was a little wary, but then got into it.

She even tried to take a drink from it.

Downtown

2008-05-31T18:46:00.000-07:00

With the Gus Macker and the St. Thomas festival going on, we went down town to see the action. Avery got her first visit to a bounce house, and enjoyed it very much, once she figured out what it was. She liked it so much that I had to go in and drag her out kicking and protesting vigorously.

Pool!

2008-05-31T18:42:00.001-07:00

I had Friday off, and Mommy had a half day, so we filled up the pool. Avery was ready to go as soon as she saw it.

She was tickled at the idea of own pool.

The water was cold, but she didn't want to get out of the pool, except to sit on daddy's lap to warm up.

Playground

2008-05-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

Almost every day we head out to the playground at the church down the street. Avery likes the swings, especially tilting her head back.

She also has learned to climb the rock wall by herself.

The toddler jungle gym has a very fast slide.

At the bottom are rocks.

So she usually goes flying when she comes down the slide.

But she dusts herself off and heads off to have another go.

Mark, Go!

2008-05-21T19:09:00.001-07:00

Megan called me while I was on my way home, and told me that Avery was crouching down, saying mark, and then go, and then running around the dining room table. I don't know where she learned it, but I guess she is naturally cut out for track.

DC

2008-05-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

We took a trip this past weekend, to a family reunion/memorial service in Reston Va, near Washington DC. We didn't actually set foot in DC, but we enjoyed its various highways and suburbs.

We left at the crack of dawn in the rain. We were about an hour and half into the ride when all of a sudden, Avery sat upright and puked up a banana we had given her a half hour before. She started crying and puking, and saying "boo-boo, boo-boo." I was ready to turn around and head back, but I was overruled after we got her cleaned up. We stopping in Washington PA, where we had breakfast. Apparently feeling better, Avery ate her weight in pancakes and bacon. The rest of the trip, with A/C on, she enjoyed, playing with some new little people, watching a dvd and taking a nap.

After settling in the hotel, we put pennies in the fountain and took a swim. That was pretty much the theme of the weekend. There are a lot more pennies in the fountain now than before we arrived.

Friday night wasn't really so much for the wee-ones, so we left the family dinner before the food arrived and had a Panera picnic in our hotel room. By then it was well past her bed time, and we figured she wouldn't want to sleep in her portable crib, since we were in the room, so we put her in our king sized bed. She takes up a lot of room for a toddler, and none of use slept all that well.

Saturday we got up and took a look at the art show outside the hotel. Lots of neat stuff, but it wasn't really Avery's scene either, so we went swimming. She was not pleased to get out of the pool, but did well during a visit to Aunt Lily's house. After a drive for a nap, we gathered for a picture, eventually, after a final straggler showed up. She was not pleased to be taken from her fountain and pile of pennies for a picture, and made her displeasure known. She had a good time at the "Buffalo style" pub we went to, and enjoyed a walk after, where we met a couple and their doggies.

The trip home was good too, with her taking a long, two-hour nap, playing with little people, and watching a dvd. Overall, apart from want to swim more and spend more time with the fountain, she did very well.

Snack time at the art show.

Swimming!

Pennies with Claire and Colin.

The Haas clan.

Hangin' with 'enry.

Grandma finds an unending source of pennies.

With Claire on the stairs.

Enjoying cheese dip with grandma.

dog attack with Henry.

grandparents and their grandchildren.

hanging out in Herdon. Avery found the hole in the block of rock fascinating, and this was the only way we could get a group picture- by standing near the rock.