Family Traditions

When I was growing up I have the fondest memories of my Grandma's house in Kansas City, George Strait was singing Christmas music in the background and me and my many cousins were gathered around the kitchen table making Christmas cookies. Those were some of the best Christmas'.

This year we carried out the tradition with Avery Reese and my sister's kids at my mom's house. (It was much more chaotic than I remember). We all had a good time from rolling out the dough, using the cookie cutters, to applying the icing and sprinkles.

Avery Reese rolling out dough

Cousin Sadie making a snowman

Cousin Jamie kneading the dough

Grandma making sprite cookies

Adding the sprinkles

All the cousins gathered around the table

Eating the finished product

Falling for Fall

Avery Reese has always enjoyed being outside with her Daddy, now matter what he is doing. Yesterday was a rarity as she actually wore her coat and a hat, she looked so cute I just couldn't help but follow her outside to snap some photos. Brad was actually taking out the trash and Avery Reese found a pile of leaves.....perfect!

2nd Birthday.....Already??

I can't believe my baby is already two (OK so not quite yet, but only 2 more weeks). We hosted her party this year at our athletic club which offered a play maze, a jumping castle, ball play, and a pinata. I have recently been obsessed with owls, so I did an owl theme for her party; which was very cute if I do say.

Avery Reese was so excited when her friends started arriving; she had friends from school, church, family friends, and lots of family members help her celebrate yesterday. We are so blessed! Avery Reese had a wonderful time! The children loved the entire party; the play maze was a little scary at first, but the jumping castle was a huge hit. Avery Reese enjoyed playing with all of her friends, she had so much fun (that girl LOVES her friends)!

Jumping in the happy castle (disregard my child's black eye, its a photo editing mistake that I can't undo)

(Note the owl print dress)

Cupcakes

She loved when we sang to her

Delicious

Party favors

Opening her first present

Pinata

Party Goers

Let The Parties Begin

Fall is my favorite time of year; the changing colors of the leaves, cooler weather, football and now with a child.....parties! Most of Avery Reese's friends have fall birthdays and add the holidays, October was a busy month and we are just getting started.

Avery Reese has already attended two birthday parties and 4 Halloween festivities. The mention of a party, gets her excited these days....she always inquires, 'cupcake?" I am looking forward to more parties with her this year. Here are some photos from birthday parties and Halloween.

Giddy-Up

Trick or treating at school

Making cookies with her school buddy, Madelyn

Fishing for treats at school carnival

Jumping!!

At Kennedi's birthday

Party at The Little Gym

Side........Sing

Those are the words we heard over and over again this weekend. So let me first start off by translating Avery Reese's speech; "side" simple means outside and "sing" means swing. Brad and I have quickly realized our child is obsessed with playing outside, which is totally fine unless the Hogs are on tv or I need to run to the grocery store. And when she looks up at you with those pouty big brown eyes, who can say no?

This child doesn't want to swing simply for a few minutes, oh no! Avery Reese is content swinging for an hour straight, no problem!! So needless to say we improvised and pulled the tv outside yesterday to finish the Hog game and I waited until her hour of swinging had reliquished to go grocery shopping.

You would think as much time as we spend swinging I would have some photos, but I am too busy pushing the swing to take any and she doesn't allow breaks. But I do have some cute photos of her outside playing with sidewalk chalk and talking on the phone. She found an old fax machine and thinks it is so cool. She even told me to put it in her room so she could talk to her friends in her room.....I think Brad and I are in serious trouble.

Oh yea, I gave her the cutest pigtails Saturday!

Hello?

Pumpkin Patch

It was a cool, wonderful Fall morning. The perfect day for Avery Reese's class field trip to Bo Brooks Pumpkin Patch. Brad and I both took off the day and Mama Judy came along too. I had ordered this adorable gingham applique dress with ruffle tights for her fall pictures and just could not pass up the opportunity for additional photos in this sweet dress (minus the tights; it wasn't that cool).

If you haven't been to Bo Brooks Pumpkin Farm in Roland, it is a must in my book. They were good last year, but have more to offer this year. They have small farm animals including a donkey, roosters, piglets, and goats. A hay maze and new this year a "corn pool". That is really the best way for me to describe this large area filled with dried corn kernels; Avery Reese and her friends spent most of the morning in the corn pool. They also offered a tractor pulled hay ride, which I was looking forward to, but apparently the tractor was scary so we scoped out the perfect pumpkins while Avery Reese's class went on without us. I just love pumpkins patches!

Getting a close look at the bunny

The 3 Musketeers


Loving the 'corn pool'

Hitching a ride


Searching for pumpkins with Mama

One final picture with her pick of the patch

My Little Mommy

Recently, Brad and I bought Avery Reese a baby doll that cries when you remove a bottle from her mouth, because she thought it was the funniest thing ever. She would laugh hysterically every time she removed the bottle. Fast forward a couple of weeks and she has decided to love that baby doll as much if not more than us. Her imagination has just exploded! She interacts with her babies (she now has three) like they are so real. The babies do everything she does; if Avery Reese gets lotion on her back after her bath....so do the babies. I just can't help but sit back and watch as her motherly instincts kick right in. (By the way, she is naked in these photos because we were getting ready for a bath).

Sharing her milk with the babies

She decided the highchair was a more appropriate place to feed the baby

Teaching baby how to potty train

Apparently the baby was not listening as she is sitting on the "time-out" stool

Reading a book to baby

Since the baby is not fully potty trained, Avery Reese still has to check her diaper

First Day of Preschool, Take Two

Ahhh, the first day of preschool was so much easier this year. Avery Reese has the same classmates, teachers and teaching assistants again, which we are so grateful to have. Avery Reese has changed so much since this time last year, physically, mentally, and oh, I can't forget that sassy attitude that has emerged.

This morning she walked right in and was so happy to see everyone and especially to be in a new classroom with different and exciting new toys. I wasn't eagerly peeking in on her today to make sure she wasn't crying, instead I peeked at her to see that sweet smiling face (and to get kisses). Brad and I hope this year of preschool is just as much fun as last year!

Last years first day of preschool photo

Not cooperating for photos

Trying to show me her new shirt

Finally...picture worth posting with new shirt "preschool is a hoot, Avery Reese"