I just logged into my photobucket account for the first time in over a year and a half, and this is what I found!! I found the most precious picture of my princess Avery and our puppy Bo, which due to some heart defect, passed away at only about 12 weeks old. I can't believe how much Avery has grown, and just looking at this makes me so sad but also so happy that she is turning into such a wonderful little girl. Although I really miss my baby being this small, it is so fun that she is older now and we can do things together, like shop, and play in the park (really play), and make cookies, and all of those things that just make you proud and want to tear up all at the same time. I'm so thankful to have been blessed with such a sweet little girl who loves her family and loves animals more than anything. I couldn't ask for sweeter child than the one I already have.

Birthday Wishes and Kisses

It's been a while since our last post, and a lot has happened, and it has been busy, but this post is about the one and only Avery Michelle!!

Avery 2005

Avery 2006....

Avery 2007...

Avery 2008....

Avery NOW!!! 2009!! Happy Birthday!!

On August 10th, our own little princess turned the big 4 years old, and it's hard for me to believe that she is growing up so fast!!! Her birthday was a

giant week long celebration of about a million parties.... not really, but thank goodness we

only have to do that once a year!!

We started out on August 10th, her real birthday, and we headed to Seattle for a fun day at the Space Needle, and the Science Center. She loved it, and she went to the top of the needle with her Aunt Megan and our friend Jen, and she tells everyone at least five times that if you go, you HAVE to look through the telescope!! Another part of Avery's special Seattle day was she got to ride the rides all day at the Science Center. She loves rides, and so to be able to do it on her birthday,

especially ride the old Carousel, was magical for her. All in all, it was a lot of walking and a lot of fun, even if we did get rained on just a little. Here is a picture of Avery on our way back from the Science Center for her party.... she was more than a littlewiped out!!

So our day went on... and I stopped at Cold Stone to buy Avery her cake... she wanted a pink cake with strawberry ice cream and strawberries... and I did find one there!! HOWEVER, it was $50!!! So, we settled for the less expensive option of the six... yes only six... cupcakes of the same for $12... yikes!! Here is a picture of that...

They were delicious though!!! It was a fun day, and we were so happy to be able to spend it with Aunt Megan and we owe a HUGE thank you to Jenny and Jeremy for letting us camp out at their house for a couple of nights to be able to do all of this!! So, THANK YOU!!!

The next day, Megan went back to Maryland at 5am... and I took her to the airport and left the rest of the crew sleeping... because frankly I don't know any mom on the planet that wants to deal with their kids that got woken up at 5am... not me. When I got back, I went back to sleep for a bit, then it was time to get ready because it was off to meet my

dad, brother, and sister in Mt. Vernon at Chuckie Cheese for yet ANOTHER birthday celebration... So, we piled in the car, and drove the two hours, which turned into almost 4 because of Everett Bridge Traffic... and finally made it to Chuckie Cheese... Avery's real birthday wish. We spent almost 5 hours there... oh man. I'm all Chuckie Cheesed out for a good couple of years!! It was fun though, and a nice visit, plus, I really like Skee Ball... Chuckie even came out for Avery's party and that was great, but she was scared of him. She warmed up to him after a while though. Here are some pictures from that party.

It was really fun to be able to see that side of the family, as we don't get to very often, so thank you to them for coming down to Mt. Vernon, and thank you for the birthday presents!!!! We miss you guys!!!

After that we drove all the way home... it was a long drive... and at 1am, we finally pulled in our driveway.... what a weekend!!

The very next night we went to my moms for another party... At this party Avery has chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and pink sprinkles... she got LOTS of clothes... for pre-school (tear!) and some toys too. Thank goodness for the clothes... she has had such a growth spurt lately, she's getting so tall!!! We went jet skiing and played the wii... Avery was vocals on Rockband... she always is totally awesome of course!!! It was a nice laid back party, and a nice rest from the other two before it!!!

We had one last blowout party at McDonalds, and thank goodness, because by this time, I was totally partied out!! We are so happy that so many of Avery's friends were able to come because having a summer birthday, it's kind of hit and miss... We invited all the cousins, and her sister and her brothers and sisters and some girls from the ward and also some neighbors and most of the did actually show!! So thank you for making the kid party fun because Avery was so excited to actually have a real party... and a Hannah Montana p

arty to top it all off!! We had cup cakes and nothing fancy, but the kids played all afternoon and were just kids and it was actually really nice! Avery got lots of cute presents and we are just so thankful to have such wonderful people in our lives that care so much!

Thank you and we are so blessed to have you all!!

Happy Birthday to Avery Michelle, you're 4 now!!! We love you, princess!!!

Here are the pictures to match our blog!!